C-K council in brief

At the Chatham-Kent Council meeting held on October 26, 2015 Council:

• Recognized Dr. Francis Glenn for receiving the Canadian Seed Trade Association 2015 Canadian Plant Breeding and Genetics Award.

• Approved 2 planning applications.

• Approved Official Plan Amendment Number 41 to implement the proposed modifications to Section 6.3 – “Plan Implementation”.

• Passed the by-law designating Rondeau Provincial Park cottage community as heritage conservation district.

• Received a presentation by Kate do Forno, Project Coordinator, Prosperity Roundtable Chatham-Kent with regard to the Prosperity Roundtable Annual Update.

• Received a presentation and information report from Sarah Hart, Manager of Marketing, Outreach and Programs with regard to the Chatham-Kent Public Library Annual Report 2014.

• Approved the items listed on the Consent Agenda and directed that action be taken as required.

• Approved the following motion with regard to the Ridgetown District High School Sports Field Project:

1. A municipal contribution of $75,000.00 (25%) of the cost of the Ridgetown District High School Sports Field Project be considered under the following terms:
2. The funds be paid through existing budgets as follows: Community Partnership Fund 2016 – $10,000  Total – $10,000
3. Where the group must apply for funding each year through the Community Partnership Fund process and the application will be ranked and prioritized for funding by the CPF Review Committee.
4. That any approved funds be conditional on the following:
   • matching donations being received from the community to a maximum of $75,000
   • overall funding of the project (both capital and operating) being in place
   • construction of the project proceeding
   • no other requests for funding being received (e.g. waiving of permits, fees, property taxes, support for operations, etc.)
   • a repayment mechanism being in place for the municipal contribution based on a 10 year, straight line, sliding scale in the event the Lambton-Kent District School Board decides to close the school and the community no longer has  access to the facilities.
5. Upon approval of funding, a legal agreement be entered into between the Municipality and the relevant parties, based on the Municipality’s Standard Grant Agreement approved by Council, including the additional terms outlined in this report. The final terms of the Agreement shall be to the satisfaction of the Chief Legal Officer.
6. Council direct administration to move from an appropriate reserve at budget time, enough money into the Community Improvement Fund to support this project and other similar sportsfield projects which qualify under CIF that will allow projects to  meet their own individual deadlines for completion and success, with recommendations coming back to Council to facilitate the funding in the 2016 budget.

• Approved the following motion by Councillor Wesley with regard to Wallaceburg District Secondary School and Tilbury District High School – Community and Lambton Kent District School Board, Track and Field Improvements

“Whereas the Lambton Kent District School Board is undertaking school and community use projects at both W.D.S.S. and T.D.H.S. which will result in one-time costs as W.D.S.S. of $535,000 and T.D.H.S. of $450,000 for the creation and improvement of school and community use sports tracks and sports fields within the communities of Wallaceburg, North Kent, Tilbury, and West Kent;

Whereas these projects will support and benefit local students, sports teams (both school and non-school), charities, seniors, and residents;

Whereas the Lambton Kent District School Board has committed long term financial support for the ongoing and future operation and maintenance of the sports field required once the capital investment has been made;

Whereas Chatham-Kent partnered with the Chatham-Kent Secondary School Athletic Complex in 2002 and contributed $400,000 to the $1.6 million dollar project (or 25%) of project costs;

Whereas Chatham-Kent partnered with the Dresden Community Development Association for the Lambton Kent Composite School Community Partnership in 2014 and contributed $135,000 to the $540,000 project, or 25% of project costs; and,

Whereas Chatham-Kent recently passed a motion to support a similar partnership with the Ridgetown District High School and is looking to contribute $75,000, or 25% of the total project costs of $300,000.

Therefore be it resolved that the Chatham-Kent Council endorse a community capital leadership grant in the amount of $133,750 (25%) for W.D.S.S. and $112,500 (25%) for T.D.H.S. and Blenheim District High School as a one-time request.

Be it further resolved that Chatham-Kent administration prepare a report for council in 2015 for consideration in the funding for these projects that is consistent with the previous funding approvals for the other school and community projects noted above.”

• Appointed Cliff Quinlan to the Strategic Priority Advisory Committee.

• Referred the report and by-law regarding the Funeral, Burial and Cremation Services Act, 2012 back to administration pending additional information and consultation based on the direction of Council. The monetary items were referred to the 2016 budget.

• Approved the Long-Term Strategic Financial Plan, Investment Policy, Debit Policy, and Budget Policy.

• Received the First 2015 Budget Variance Forecast and directed administration to continue to monitor operations through future variance reports for the periods ending September 30 and November 30. Consideration to draw from reserves may be required if continued winter control challenges materialize.

• Refused the Application to Repeal By-law 130-2012, a by-law to designate the property located at 90 Park Street, Community of Chatham (City), as being of historical and architectural value or interest.

• Authorized the Mayor and Clerk to execute the Heritage Property Tax Relief Program, Preservation and Maintenance Agreement, with the owner of 86 Main Street East, Community of Ridgetown, to provide an annual refund of a portion of property taxes paid.

• Directed that Commercial Community Improvement Plan financial incentive program applications be accepted in 2016, subject to the program budget. Directed that the Downtown and Main Street Area Community Improvement Plan, Property Tax Increment Equivalent Grant Program applications be accepted in 2016.

• Directed Planning Services and Legal Services staff to meet with representatives from the Town of Lakeshore, the County of Essex and the private property owners requesting the annexation, to develop an annexation proposal and agreement for consideration by Council at a future meeting.

• Directed the Clerk’s Office to take the lead on improving the communication of Council information to the public in various ways as outlined in the Community Strategy Review report.

• Approved the 2016 Schedule of Council Meetings.

• Received the October 26, 2015 Council Information Package.

For further information on any of the above items, please contact Judy Smith, Clerk, Corporation of the Municipality of Chatham-Kent, 360-1998 extension 3200.