June 16, 2020: Mayor's Report
GOOD AFTERNOON
Thank you for attending our virtual Council Meeting and for your continued personal interest in our community. I believe that we are all pre-occupied with the effects of COVID-19 on our personal lives, our local businesses, and our community. As you know, orders from the Provincial Government are changing on a daily basis. We were only into Phase 1 by a couple of weeks but it seems we are quickly entering into Phase 2. It is now permitted to open more facilities and to have larger gatherings.
Let me assure you, staff are planning to strategically open our facilities as permitted but we are doing so very cautiously.
Facilities will only be open to the public when we are confident that all safety precautions have been taken to protect both the public and municipal staff. As you know Ontario still has a large number of new cases of COVID daily. Please continue to practice physical distancing and good hand hygiene and wear a mask if possible. Check the Marmora And Lake website for regular updates on opening facilities and services.
June 3rd
I participated in Board of Health Meeting by teleconference. Some information to be shared:
Board of Health are resuming in person services.
There is no longer restrictions to being tested for COVID-19;
A pop-up test clinic is scheduled for Marmora on Thursday, June 25th at the Fairgrounds. You can drive through or make an appointment. Refer to the Marmora And Lake website for details.
June 3rd
I participated in a teleconference update meeting with Hastings County Council and staff. Staff provided an update on the status of the Long Term Care facilities, precautions and planning for opening to permit family to visit but at the same time preparing for a possible second wave of covid.
June 9th
I recorded a message of congratulations to the elementary school graduates on behalf of the Mayor and Council and residents of Marmora and Lake.
June 9th
I met with the CAO on various matters.
June 10th
I received complaints regarding Shannick Road and property standard issues. I drove the Road and relayed the concerns to staff for their action. You will see in the Agenda I have put forth a notice of motion to deal with property standard issues within the municipality.
June 11th
The Emergency Control Group had the regularly scheduled bi-weekly meeting. As stated earlier, the Province is making changes to the Phasing in of various facilities and services. It is a challenge to keep up with all the changes as there are times when the orders are changed but the details are not readily available and sometimes are ambiguous. The orders permit facilities and services to be opened within a couple of days' notice. However, sometimes it takes longer to ensure the sites are ready for operation and meet safety requirements for both the public and staff. We ask that you do not come to the office or use public facilities if you are not well.
I am going to mention a couple of areas that are extremely important.
Full staff complement will be returning to the office and the office will be open to the public July 2nd with restrictions to the number permitted in the lobby at one time and physical distancing will be required and you must wear a mask;
The splash pad will be open when Board of Health authorization is received. Certain areas will be covered to avoid touching. Occupancy of the splash pad will be limited to a specific number of users at one time. We ask for your co-operation to adhere to these rules which will be posted on site. If rules and group numbers cannot be maintained we will be forced to close it.
Please be aware that although some services such as beaches and boat launches, public washrooms and change rooms will not be available in some locations so if you are planning to use these areas you must be prepared for your personal needs.
The Emergency Control Group will continue to follow the direction of the Province in Phasing in of businesses, facilities and services and announcements will be on the web site.
June 12th
I participated in the ROMA Board Meeting as representative of the Rural Caucus. ROMA sends out daily reports on COVID based on discussion with senior levels of government. ROMA is very aware of the impact COVID has had on small rural municipalities. ROMA is advocating for financial assistance for municipalities which so far there has been no announcement. ROMA's priorities going forward include recommendations for topics specific to rural Ontario to be on the AMO Agenda for the Conference which will be held as scheduled but by virtual participation.
Some key topics are the expansion of Broadband, Public Health modernization, Emergency Management Services, proposed changes to Police Service Boards, full producer responsibility for recycling and Long Term Care.
Delegations and presentations at the AMO Conference with ministers will be possible. Ontario Water Power Association made a presentation. In summary, members are a group that have privately owned generation stations located at various dam locations throughout the province. They are promoting water power electricity generation that is available locally. I checked with Crowe Valley Conservation regarding the station at the Marmora Dam. The generating station here is privately owned but they do depend on the Marmora Dam and its water control for its operation.
There are changes coming to the OPP Governance and composition of Police Service Boards and boundaries. Deputy Mayor Stevens is our representative on the Police Service Board.
June 15th
I attended a Closed Meeting of Council
June 16th
I participated in Hastings County Planning and Development Meeting and Finance, Property and Personnel Meeting by ZOOM