Mayor's Report for October 1, 2024
Welcome to Yvonne Robert, our Interim CAO.
This is a brief overview, and I think you can see it has been a very busy summer.
August 9th
I presided over a special meeting of Council.
August 14th
I presided over a special meeting of Council
August 17th
I attended the Heart of Hastings Hospice Annual Butterfly fundraising event. I volunteered to hand out the butterflies. The Madoc Lions Club provided a barbeque. Staff made presentations on the various activities and services provided through Hospice. On behalf of myself and Council, I thanked them and the volunteers for the services they provide to our communities.
August 18th
I presided over a special meeting of Council with Waterhouse Recruitment Services to proceed with the recruitment process to hire a new CAO.
August 19th-21st
I attended the AMO Conference in Ottawa.
August 20th
I was invited to present as a panelist on a plenary session regarding the Board of Health Merger initiative that is currently in progress.
August 22nd
I attended the regular Planning & Development, and Finance, Property and Personnel Committee Meetings at Hastings County.
That afternoon I participated in a meeting with the Ministry of Health to discuss the progress in receiving approval to proceed with the proposed Board of Health Merger.
August 26th
Deputy Mayor Stevens and I met as the Personnel Committee to discuss the future plans to hire an Arena, Parks & Recreation and Facilities Manager.
August 27th
I attended the office to sign documents and meet with representatives of Redbrick Communications to prepare a press release regarding present issues within the municipality.
August 28th
Tammy May and I presented new business certificates.
August 29th
I attended the regular Hastings County Council Meeting.
September 3rd
I presided over a special closed Council meeting.
September 4th
I chaired the regular Hastings Prince Edward Board of Health Meeting.
September 5th
I presided over a special meeting of Council
I participated in interviews to recruit an interim CAO.
September 6th
I attended the office to sign documents.
September 9th
I attended the office to sign documents.
September 10th
I attended the office to welcome Yvonne Robert, our interim CAO, and introduce her to staff and tour the Public Works Facilities.
September 13th
I was invited to attend Caressant Care Long Term Care facility to celebrate Community Engagement Day. Jennifer MacKay and her team gave a tour of the facility and presented the programs and services they provide. We are so fortunate to have this home-like environment for our residents. On behalf of myself and Council, I thanked them for the services they provide to the community and the quality of life they contribute to their residents.
September 15th
I attended the Terry Fox Run and offered our thanks and support to the organizers, Ernie Hamilton and Lloyd & Wendy McCoy, the entertainment and all volunteers. Thank you to Lions Club for their generous donation to the Terry Fox Fund and the barbeque they provided. Thank you to everyone who made a donation and who came out to support the efforts made by our volunteers and participants.
That afternoon, I attended the Curling Club AGM and congratulated them on receiving funding in the form of a grant from the Trillium Foundation. The money is being used to upgrade the fire alarm system to be compliant with current regulations.
September 17th
I attended the regular Planning & Development, and Finance, Property and Personnel Committee Meetings at Hastings County.
That afternoon, I attended a meeting of the Central Hastings Support Network in Madoc.
September 18th
I attended the office to sign cheques.
September 20th
I attended a meeting with MPP Ric Bresee, the Warden and local Mayors to discuss the operation of the Central Hastings Transit Service.
September 23rd
I participated in a meeting with Hastings County Staff and the CAO to discuss upcoming Union negotiations.
September 24th
A special meeting of Council was called to conduct interviews for the position of Arena, Parks & Recreation and Facilities Manager.
I attended the COPE AGM and offered appreciation and thanks on behalf of Marmora and Lake. COPE is the organization that provides support to our residents who have special needs. This organization is governed by a Board of Directors. Christine Spencer is the Executive Director. The team being the Board, Christine and her staff and volunteers serve about 80 people in the local communities – Madoc, Tweed, Madoc Twp., and Marmora and Lake. They have varying needs from some who attend the facility on a regular basis to participate in programs and organized sports and trips, to others who receive assistance in day to day life skills with help at home so they can remain independent.
September 26th
I attended Hastings County Council.
I attended the annual meeting of the Ministry of the Environment reporting on the Deloro cleanup and future proposed cleanup of Young’s Creek and surrounding area. There will be more information on that project when plans have been finalized.
September 27th
I presided over a special meeting of Council to discuss applications for the CAO position and determine a short list to be interviewed.
October 1st
I presided over the regular Planning meeting at 5:30 p.m.
Comments:
I understand there has been concern over the number of closed meetings during the past month. Council is responsible and required to ensure confidentiality regarding identifiable individuals, union negotiations, legal proceedings, etc. The meetings have been held to progress toward hiring a Manager for the Arena, Parks & Recreation and Facilities and, firstly an interim CAO, then moving forward to a full-time CAO and other operational matters of a confidential nature. Every effort has been made to be as transparent as we are legally allowed to be. Decisions involving more than three Council members require a duly executed Council Meeting and therefore each time there are interviews or discussions of a confidential nature, a formal open meeting must be called to then proceed into a closed meeting in accordance with the Municipal Act and our current policies, procedures and bylaws. Thank you for your patience and understanding. When final decisions have been made, I will issue an announcement and media release.
I would also like to thank staff at this time. Staff have gone over and above to work together as a team to ensure that municipal services have continued in spite of summer vacations and staff shortages.