In preparation for Monday July 31st Special town council meeting

Well, I’m back a lot sooner than I thought I would be. There’s a special meeting scheduled for this Monday. Usually I don’t do my “pre-meeting blog” until Saturday or Sunday but I have a couple of good reasons to get on top of things early this time. First, the agenda is only 62 pages, that may be some type of record lol. Also, the hot topic (I’m sorry, I just can’t help the puns….)  of back yard bonfires is up for discussion and the bylaw is to be tabled.

First up, council is scheduled to meet in-camera (yikes! again!) at 5PM to discuss:

SPECIAL IN-CAMERA COUNCIL MEETING
That Council move into an In-Camera Meeting of Council at 5:00 pm pursuant to
Section 239 of the Municipal Act, 2001, as amended, for the following reason:
ITEM A – Committee Structure Review – Section 239(2)(b) – Personal matters
about an identifiable individual, including municipal or local board employees.

Interesting. The whole committee structure issue was debated at the last meeting. Council had voted on the following :

1. The Parks Advisory Committee and the Recreation and Culture Advisory
   Committee BE COMBINED to create a new Parks and Recreation Advisory
   Committee;
2. The Economic Development Advisory Committee BE DISSOLVED; and,
3. The Audit and Finance Advisory Committee BE DISSOLVED.

It ended up being a 3-3 vote (so a tie), so the issue fell aside. Now it appears it’s going in-camera…..

SPECIAL PLANNING REPORTS
Kingsbridge Subdivision Phase 5G – Extension of Draft Plan Approval

This looks like some good news. More development is gearing up for the Kingsbridge subdivision.

Placement of Underground Infrastructure, Base Asphalt, Surface Asphalt
and Curbs on Maintenance – Kingsbridge Subdivision Phase 8B-1

This also like good news. With development, comes infrastructure (and tax dollars!).

Draft Open Air Burning By-law and Public Consultations

And the moment we’ve all been waiting for…….drum roll please…..the bonfire bylaw proposal. This issue was opened up at the end of June and has been a real sizzler ( it’s just too easy! ) ever since. It appears that people have been having illegal fires in Amherstburg. At the moment, nobody is allowed to burn, except the farmers. It appears that the fire chief has a new bylaw drafted and council will need to table it. Then, it will be presented for public input. Here are the highlights, as I see them.

Basically, the fire chief has developed a map for every property in Amherstburg. If your property is designated as “no burn” then the rules are easy for you…No Burning!!!

If you live on a property that is allowed to have burns then the rules vary for each type of open burn, however they are similar. Here are some of the proposed rules surrounding having an open burn (if you’re allowed to, according to the map):

• Receive permission on the day of the proposed Campfire.
• You must be 18.
• Maintain constant watch and control.
• Have the permit with you to show if necessary.
• Have equipment capable of extinguishing the fire such as rakes,
  shovels, or water immediately available for use at the site.
• Burn only dry firewood.
• Ensure the campfire does not exceed 60 cm in width at the largest
  point or is piled higher than 50 cm in height
• Ensure the campfire is located at a distance of not less than 30 m
  from any building, hedge, fence, Highway, overhead wiring or other
  Combustible Material. (This appears to be for the open air fire permit, i.e. farmers?)
• Ensures the Campfire is located at a distance of not less than 15 m
  from any building, hedge, fence, Highway, overhead wiring or other
  Combustible Material. (This appears to be for the open air campfire permit.)
• Ensures the Outdoor Fireplace Fire is located at a distance of not less
  than 5 m from any building, hedge, fence, Highway, overhead wiring
  or other Combustible Material. (This appears to be for the open air fire permit outdoor fireplace permit.)

Here’s the link to the agenda. The map is on page 27.

Click to access 2017%2007%2031%20-%20Special%20Council%20Meeting%20Agenda%20Packet.pdf

The map is far more detailed than what I anticipated. For example, on my own street, most people can not have a fire, however, the people farther up the street who live on deeper lots are allowed to have a fire. A few of the lots around my subdivision are allowed. It appears to depend on lot size and if you’re not within the 30 meters (or 15 meters or 5 meters, depending on type of fire) of a building, you’re good to go. If you’re within 30 meters (or 15 meters or 5 meters) of another structure, it appears you’re in the red “no burn” zone.

The power point presentation for the public meetings is also included in the agenda. The dates for the public input meetings are :

• August 17th at the Libro Centre (did not notice a time)
• September 12th Station 3 (again, did not notice what time)
• September 26th Station 2 (again, no time noticed)

I also saw there will be an online survey available from August 3 to September 27th. It appears administration is doing as much as they can to get as much public input as possible on this hot topic. The public input meetings will probably be very heated.

There is also a slide about enforcement and how the fire department intends to proceed for violations. It appears if there is a violation, there could be fines ranging from $225 to $900.

The map provided far exceeded my expectations. Check it out. See if you’re going to be in the “burn zone” or “no burn zone” and then either fill out the survey or come to one of the public meetings to have your say Amherstburg! Don’t get burned by remaining silent! LOL

 

Monday July 10th regular town council meeting

**Councillor Lavigne was absent tonight.**

There were only about 15 people in attendance in the gallery at tonight’s council meeting. BUT…there were two people holding signs that said “Keep our air clean and safe” with a “no fire” symbol. You have to hand it to people from Amherstburg, we have no problem speaking our minds…LOL

Request to fish outside designated area in Kings Navy Yard Park –
Melissa Cranston, Activity Director, Richmond Terrace

First up was Ms Cranston who was asking to bring a few residents from Richmond Terrace Nursing Home to the Navy Yard Park to do some fishing. It seems the designated fishing area is not wheelchair accessible, so she was asking if the nursing home residents can fish to the right of the regular fishing area. She provided the date with a rain date and said it would be 8 to 10 residents. Councillor Fryer asked if the town could designated 2-3 spots for people that are in wheelchairs to be able to fish there, on a permanent basis, as well as allow the seniors from Richmond Terrace to fish on their designated day. There was some discussion about the long term plan for the Kings Navy Yard Park now that Duffy’s has been acquired. It was discussed that most likely a fishing area would be incorporated permanently in the future. After a little more discussion, the motion passed to allow the seniors to fish on their designated day as well as to install signage for people in wheelchairs to fish from 3 particular spots. Kudos to council and a big kudos to whoever thought up the idea of bring some senior residents of Richmond Terrace to do some fishing!

Windsor Essex Compassion Care Community Initiatives & Community
Launch – Liz Daniel, Community Engagement Coordinator

Ms Daniel explained the launch of the Windsor Essex Compassion Care Community initiatives. She asked the Mayor and Council to attend the launch in November 2017. She also asked that they nominate compassionate people in the community and to present them with an award at the launch in November. She said that the Windsor Essex Compassion Care Community (WECCC) is a social movement with over 100 partners to deal with various issues, such as isolation, the elderly, people with disabilities etc. Council was receptive and received the delegation after having a few short questions.

Transfer of Primary 911 call taking from OPP to Windsor Police Service

This passed with no discussion whatsoever.

It appears that the county has had a long standing agreement with the OPP to handle 911 calls and dispatch. Amherstburg police want to enter into an agreement with the Windsor Police to take over this service. It appears it will save us $61,500 over the next 5 years.

Clean Water and Wastewater Fund (CWWF)

It appears Amherstburg has received a grant to be used toward water and wastewater infrastructure. It looks like administration is looking to use this large sum of money (around $3.7 Million) to replace a reservoir. However, the grant money does not cover the entire replacement, so council would have to kick in some tax payer money also to get the job done. Councillor Meloche seemed concerned that Amherstburg will need to spend around $30 Million in the next 10 years for various projects in relation to our water system. The Treasurer explained that this project is part of that $30 Million project. To replace the reservoir will be about $8.1 Million. The grant covers $3.7 Million and the water users (us) will cough up $4.4 Million. Council members can be held personally liable in terms of decisions regarding drinking water, so as anticipated, this passed…. LOL

Open Air Fires

Councillor Fryer did not disappoint; he immediately made the motion for administration to be directed to move forward with an Open Air Fire bylaw as well as to hold a public meeting.

Two weeks ago, Councillor Fryer opened up this issue when he asked for Administration to prepare a bylaw in order for people to be able to have backyard bonfires. He seemed agitated tonight during the discussion. I got the impression there have been many emails and articles and commentary about this issue and it seemed to have Councillor Fryer a little hot under the collar (ya, I did just say that… lol), in my opinion. He said that he’s not happy about smoke and fumes and that there has been a lot of innuendo (about what I’m not sure……?). He feels he understands the flip side about the smoke but that people have come to him wanting to have a fire. (Has anyone of my readers requested this of him?) He seemed to think it’s important to have a nominal fee so that the residents can call a hot line (ha,ha,ha,ha….) to find out if they can have a fire at that moment.

Councillor Meloche questioned the fees…..$25 for an annual fee or $75 for a event specific fee. Fire Chief Montone explained that the $25 fee is for the average resident. The $75 is for an event taking place in town to have a fire. He said the fees range from $13 to $50 for residential annual fees in other areas and $25 to $100 for event specific in other areas.  Councillor Courtney wondered how many other communities were allowed open burns. The Fire Chief said all surrounding municipalities allow them, except Windsor. Councillor Courtney expressed that she had mixed feelings about the issue. The Chief said the fire department does as well.

Councillor Pouget had numerous questions about this issue. She reflected back to her time on council in the 1990s when the town felt it was protecting residents by banning open burns (except for farmers.). She was concerned that there have been 133 calls to the fire department regarding back yard fires, which has cost us about $40,000 for the fire department to respond to each one and she asked if any of this money had been recuperated in fines. Unfortunately, not one dime has been recuperated.  Councillor Pouget then made an interesting point (at least I found it interesting.) She said the current council has taken a stand on health and safety in regards to smoking. It has been banned in the public parks and in front of the Libro Centre (and this is fairly recently by this current council.) She didn’t understand how council could have the fortitude to put controls on smoking in public yet are about to allow residents to have fires and pollute the air.

(Okay, hold on to your hats…..it doesn’t happen often, but it happened here, and it happened tonight….I agreed with Councillor Pouget….darn right! How can council limit where people can smoke in order to ensure residents aren’t exposed to second hand cigarette smoke, but yet now suddenly allow burning in fire pits all over town? This makes sense! )

Councillor Pouget then went on to cite the various toxins that are released from wood when it is burned. She felt this issue would pit neighbour against neighbour. She wanted council to simply accept the report and not move forward any further, however, Councillors Fryer and Meloche would not rescind their motion. (In my humble opinion, Councillor Pouget seemed to be the only member of council who seemed to take the concerns about fires seriously.)  Councillor Fryer asked for a recorded vote.

Motion for administration to be directed to move forward with an Open Air Fire bylaw as well as to include a public meeting.

In Favour: Councillor Courtney, Deputy Mayor DiPasquale, Councillor Fryer, Councillor Meloche, Mayor DiCarlo.

Opposed: Councillor Pouget

Do you want my personal prediction? I foresee the Fire Chief allowing open burn bonfires out in the more rural parts of town and no open burns in the urban areas of town. So, all the people who have been successfully having open burns in town (albeit illegally), the party will be over. The spotlight has been shone on the issue. My prediction? Nobody will end up happy when this issue is finally said and done. I hope Coucillor Fryer is prepared to take the heat on this. (Hilarious pun intended)

Council Committee Structure Review

Think back…..way back…..to the budget meetings in January 2017. Our councillors decided not to hire a part time committee coordinator to take recorded minutes at all of the various committee meetings. They also denied any overtime costs from the clerk’s department in order to oversee these many and various committee meetings. Well guess what? These committees are not properly following the structure and meeting format that is required by the Municipal Act. This situation cannot be allowed to continue so administration made some recommendations…

They are:

1. The Parks Advisory Committee and the Recreation and Culture Advisory
   Committee BE COMBINED to create a new Parks and Recreation Advisory
   Committee;
2. The Economic Development Advisory Committee BE DISSOLVED; and,
3. The Audit and Finance Advisory Committee BE DISSOLVED.

Councillor Pouget wondered if the committee members had been notified. The answer was no, since administration was awaiting council’s decision. From what I could gather from the discussion, the combination of part 1 of the recommendation was not a big deal. However, Councillor Meloche pointed out that only once has the Economic Development Committee not had enough members in attendance to have a quorum. However, the Audit and Finance Committee has had the attendance issue several times and often did not have quorum.

I also noted in the report that when administration provided training to all of the chairs and vice chairs, the only committee that did not send representation was the Audit and Finance Committee for the training seminars. I got the impression from a few councillors that they may be interested in disbanding the Audit and Finance Committee but not the Economic Development Committee.

It finally went to a vote to approve the recommendation above (#1, #2 and #3)….

In support : Councillor Fryer, Councilllor Pouget and Mayor DiCarlo

Opposed: Councillor Courtney, Deputy Mayor DiPasquale and Councillor Meloche.

So, because we did not have all of our councillors present at tonight’s meeting (Councillor Lavigne was absent) it was a 3-3 tie, which means it’s a wash.

Then, Councillor Fryer made a motion to return and look at this issue regarding town committees at the next council meeting when all 7 members of council are present. (I almost laughed out loud for real. So, either A), this entire thing now sits on Councillor Lavigne’s shoulders or B) Councillor Fryer doesn’t realise that our own town councillors have pretty serious attendance issue themselves……it’s not too often that all 7 are present…..I may go back in my notes and check on that….well, I just went back into my notes and here is the attendance record I have compiled since January 2017…only 38% of this year’s council meetings have had all 7 members of council present. So good luck to you Councillor Fryer in your quest to find a meeting in which all councillors are present. Especially when you mentioned at the last meeting that you cannot attend the August 21st meeting. Seriously people, Jerry Seinfeld couldn’t even make this stuff up.)

Compensation Review Non-Union/Management Staff

Well, it looks like our CAO is requesting a pay raise for the non-union staff in town hall. There appears to be data going back to 2013 explaining the creation of a pay grid for non-union staff. It seems there was also a pay equity study done. It appears Amherstburg is on the lower end of the pay scale for it’s non-union employees compared to other, similar municipalities.

Councillor Fryer made the first motion on this issue to increase the pay scale for non-union staff to the highest grid recommended by the CAO, however, he also added that he would like a new, higher compensation package implemented for the next town council. Nobody seconded the motion. (Either no one is running again or no one wants a raise….maybe that’s why they miss so many meetings, out spending their fortunes….? )

Councillor Meloche then made a motion to recommend an increase in the pay grid as presented by the CAO for the non-union staff. Councillor Dipasquale seconded so the topic became open to discussion.

The CAO explained that the current town employees (non-unionized) currently sit below the 50th percentile for pay as compared to other municipalities comparable to Amherstburg, actually they are at approximately the 43rd percentile. He would like to increase them to the 65th percentile.

Councillor Pouget spoke that the town is not out of the woods yet (financially) and she felt a compromise to the 55th percentile would be better. The difference between the 65th and 55th percentile was about $111,000. (Well that was the end of my brief period of agreeing with Councillor Pouget. I was biting my tongue at this point! Didn’t we just handed over $100,000 to the ERCA Foundation, yet council doesn’t want to pay our staff fairly?????!!!!!! Let me just say, I’m sure glad these 7 people don’t decide on my pay…..And I really doubt they’d increase that lol!)

Anyway, CAO Miceli pointed out that Amherstburg’s unionized staff are among the higher paid in the region and the non-union staff are among the lower paid in the region. He gave quite an impassioned speech how the entire region has a serious shortage of qualified, skilled staff to replace those that retire or leave for various reasons. Amherstburg has a limited ability to attract staff here and many municipalities pilfer from each other to find staff. In the next 5-7 years, 60% of the municipal staff in the county is eligible to retire. He does not want to see Amherstburg go back in time to the point where we had under qualified people doing certain jobs.  Councillor Pouget still was not convinced. She spoke of bringing in students to train them. CAO Miceli said that the town does participate in the University of Windsor Co-op program however, council had reduced the training budget a few years back. The problem is and remains that ONE person holds many different positions in town hall.

***Flash back…..winter 2015….this “new council” repeatedly wanted to examine staff qualifications and dissect their qualifications and pay…..the same council then cut the training budget drastically…..**** Flash forward…..we have qualified, competent staff and they don’t want to pay them what they’re worth…..****

Finally, they went to a vote to approve the pay raise in the 65th percentile.

Support: Councillor Courtney, Deputy Mayor DiPasquale, Councillor Fryer, Councillor Meloche and Mayor DiCarlo

Opposed: Councillor Pouget

Essex County Time Capsule – Celebrating Canada 150/Essex County
225

I found this little tidbit under consent correspondence. It appears that the county will be creating and burying a time capsule in honour of the Canada 150 anniversary and the 225th Anniversary of Essex County. It looks like they’re asking Amherstburg town council for a couple of artifacts to include in the time capsule. Do you think council would include one of my blog entries? This never did get discussed at the meeting. Perhaps I will start digging a small hole in the floor with my pen and then eventually bury a business card or a blog post in there. That could keep me entertained when the discussion gets dull. Just a thought. Sort of like the movie Shawshank Redemption…..sort of…..

New Business

Councillor Pouget asked to ensure that all means possible are used to ensure the public is aware of the public meeting regarding the open burns. Don’t worry, I’ll keep my eye out too and keep my readers posted.

Councillor Fryer just couldn’t let go of the idea of council’s pay for next term. He again made a motion to have administration come up with a compensation package that would be put in place for the next council’s term, 2018.  Hmmmm……so, if I run for council next term, isn’t it nice that Councillor Fryer seems concerned about giving me some extra money? How thoughtful.

As for Councillor of the week……I truly don’t know what to do…..everyone is always so disappointed if I don’t nominate someone, yet this week, nobody stood out.

Well ladies and gentlemen, I’m going out on a limb here, I have been blogging about and following this group of town councillors for about two and a half years. In that period there have been few times, okay, very few times, I have agreed with or even came close to agreeing with one particular member of our current council, but tonight, for a brief moment in time I agreed with her and I appreciated her sense of logic. So tonight, for the first time ever, ladies and gentlemen I nominate Councillor Pouget as councillor of the week. Maybe it’s the smell of wood smoke in the air….it’s having an effect…..

As usual, council went in-camera at the end of the meeting….to discuss:

ITEM A – Easement Agreement – Section 239(2)(c) – A proposed or pending
acquisition or disposition of land by the municipality.

ITEM B – DRAFT Policing Request for Proposal – Section 239(2)(a) – the security of
the property of the municipality or local board

In preparation for Monday July 10th Regular town council meeting

Well, Monday night looks like it will be a hot one! (No pun intended lol…..okay, maybe pun intended…..how many can I do in one blog?)

As per the usual, council is scheduled to go in-camera, again. Yikes. There is a supplementary agenda for a second item for the in-camera meeting. It appears council was already scheduled to go in-camera for Item A after the regular meeting, now they will also have Item B to discuss:

ITEM A – Easement Agreement – Section 239(2)(c) – A proposed or pending
acquisition or disposition of land by the municipality.

ITEM B – DRAFT Policing Request for Proposal – Section 239(2)(a) – the security of
the property of the municipality or local board

DELEGATIONS

Request to fish outside designated area in Kings Navy Yard Park –
Melissa Cranston, Activity Director, Richmond Terrace

It appears that Ms Cranston wants to bring a few residents from Richmond Terrace Nursing Home to the Navy Yard Park to do some fishing. It seems the designated fishing area is not wheelchair accessible, so she will be asking if the nursing home residents can fish to the right of the regular fishing area. If this idea isn’t welcomed with open arms, I may lose all hope. What a great idea to get the residents of a nursing home out to enjoy some fishing. Kudos to whoever thought of this. Hopefully council will allow this exemption for the residents of Richmond Terrace Nursing home. But that’s just my opinion, I don’t have a vote.

Windsor Essex Compassion Care Community Initiatives & Community
Launch – Liz Daniel, Community Engagement Coordinator

It appears Ms Daniel will be explaining the launch of the Windsor Essex Compassion Care Community initiatives. She will be asking the Mayor and Council to attend the launch in November 2017. She appears to also be asking that they nominate compassionate people in the community and to present them with an award at the launch in November. I’ll be listening closely for details on this one.

Transfer of Primary 911 call taking from OPP to Windsor Police Service

It appears that the county has had a long standing agreement with the OPP to handle 911 calls and dispatch. Amherstburg police want to enter into an agreement with the Windsor Police to take over this service. It appears it will save us $61,500 over the next 5 years. Will have to listen and see what council decides. Directly from the report : “The transfer of services from OPP to Windsor Police Service does not pose any risk to
the community with respect to call response time however should Council wish to stay
with the current provider there may be potential for political criticism. ” Hmmmm……political criticism…..???

Clean Water and Wastewater Fund (CWWF)

It appears Amherstburg has received a grant to be used toward water and wastewater infrastructure. It also appears that we don’t have much money in reserves for water and wastewater needs. It looks like administration is looking to use this large sum of money (around $3.7 Million) to replace a reservoir. However, the grant money does not cover the entire replacement, so council would have to kick in some tax payer money too. As you may or may not be aware, (but council is), members of council can be held personally liable for decisions in relation to water safety. My guess is, this will fly through and the money will scrounged up from somewhere.

Pickering Drive Phase 1 Watermain Replacement and Road
Improvements – Tender Results

The prices are in, time to choose a bid and approve it. Then, on with the repairs.

2017 Special Event Approval

Amherstburg Sharks Swim Meet – August 12, 2017

Since this council’s inception, every group holding any type of special event must seek permission from council. So, the young people’s swim meet that will be held at the Lion’s Pool does not need any exemptions, such as road closures or the noise bylaw, but they still need to ask council’s permission. I have to assume this will fly through.

Proposed Zoning By-law Amendment for vacant land south of 9834
Walker Road

This appears to be some rezoning of a property on Walker Road. It seems nobody has any objections to this rezoning and all the necessary follow up has been done. (reports from ERCA, fire department, etc.). It seems that the owner wants to build an accessory building and a private dwelling on the land.

Open Air Fires

And here it is…..the hot topic of the night. (Hilarious pun intended) There have been letters to the editor, social media commentary, radio interviews, newspaper articles……It all began two weeks ago at the regular meeting. Councillor Fryer had requested a new bylaw in regards to outdoor burns / bonfires. He had said at the meeting that the Fire Chief had said he’d be able to have something ready for this meeting, July 10th. Well, the report is in, and it’s a long one, but there is no new bylaw included in it.

Basically, here’s the gist of it all. “All open Air Fires are presently banned across the municipality, with the exception of where farming is conducted following proper notification.” This means that there are no fires allowed in Amherstburg, for example, no brush fires used to dispose of wood or brush in a controlled fashion, no campfires, no chimineas and no outdoor fireplaces. We are however, allowed a barbecue. Currently, it seems that many residents are breaking this bylaw and having open air fires of various sorts, however, unlawfully. It has cost the fire department about $40,000 over the past 3 years to respond to calls for these illegal fires. In response to this problem, “a new by-law and policy is being drafted to include a permit program for open air fires with a fee for the setting of open air campfires, and a fee for specific event campfires and outdoor fireplaces with special circumstances, as well as minimum application requirements.”

“Open air burning and campfires are currently taking place in all (Urban, Sub-Urban and
Rural) areas of the Town of Amherstburg. The current situation where campfires are not
permitted anywhere is resulting in illegal burns taking place in spring, summer and fall
with no appropriate controls in place. Enforcement of the current by-law is not
manageable with current resources.”

Included in the report is a brief overview of the possible new bylaw. Administration is also proposing a public forum during an evening in July in order for the residents to ask questions and share their opinions and feedback.

Will we roasting marshmallows in our backyards soon? It doesn’t look like it…..I can’t wait to hear what council has to say about this.

Fire Department Establishing and Regulating By-law

This report appears to be addressing some reorganisation within the Fire Department. It’s somewhat lengthy and deals with the organisational structure of the Fire Department, of which, I’m not very knowledgeable.

Council Committee Structure Review

Think back…..way back…..to the budget meetings in January 2017. Council decided not to hire a part time committee coordinator to take recorded minutes at all of the various committee meetings. Council also denied any overtime costs from the clerks department in order to oversee these many and various committee meetings. These committees must follow a certain structure and format according to the Municipal Act. A training seminar was hosted for the chairs and vice chairs of the committees. They have to ensure notice requirements and procedural rules are met, along with many other responsibilities and duties. Also, a member or two of council must sit on each of these committees.

Some of the inconsistencies and concerns noted are:

• Agendas not posted to meet notice requirements as per the Town’s
  approved procedural by-law.
• Agenda templates are not consistent
• Agendas are not being published with supporting materials
• Chairs tend make motions
• Chairs tend to lead the meeting
• No disclosure of pecuniary interest asked at the start of meetings
• Procedural rules are not being followed for delegates
• No deferral motions
• Motions are too vague
• Minutes are not recorded as per Municipal Act requirements
• Minute templates are not consistent
• Recommendations/reports to Council are inconsistent

Some concerns that were brought forward for consideration are as follows:

• Cancellation of meetings due to difficulties achieving quorum
• Absence of Council representation
• Cancellation of meetings due to failure to meet notice requirements
• Committees moving motions that do not comply with their mandate
• Committees moving motions to eliminate portions of their Council adopted
  mandate
• Committees challenging Council decisions
• Committees supporting initiatives that require additional staff time that is not
  available within the time allotted recently by Council

So, following these many concerns, here’s the recommendation:

1. The Parks Advisory Committee and the Recreation and Culture Advisory
   Committee BE COMBINED to create a new Parks and Recreation Advisory
   Committee;
2. The Economic Development Advisory Committee BE DISSOLVED; and,
3. The Audit and Finance Advisory Committee BE DISSOLVED.

This should be interesting. The Economic Development Advisory Committee as well as the Audit and Finance Advisory Committee were both created by the current council. Will they dissolve them?

Compensation Review Non-Union/Management Staff

Well, it looks like our administrative staff is due for a raise. There appears to be data dating back from 2013 explaining the creation of a pay grid. It seems there was also a pay equity study done. It appears Amherstburg is on the lower end of the pay scale for it’s employees.  “At the CAO’s meeting, Chatham-Kent shared with the group that 1,503 (69%) of the municipalities’ 2,200 employees will be eligible or will have retired by 2024. ”  Translation, if the employees don’t get a raise, they will go elsewhere to get paid what they’re worth. Turnover in any organisation is problematic and creates instability. It appears Amherstburg staff is paid below market comparisons within the region.  “Administration also recognizes that a decision such as this may be subject to political
criticism from residents. ” Hmmmmm…..there it is again, political criticism…..anyone you know? There are several options presented to council with various percentiles, as well as a “do nothing” option. That made me LOL for real.

Accounts Payable

I like to look through the accounts payable to see if there’s anything of interest and to see what we paid in legal fees. This week I found that we paid about $4,700 in legal fees. (pretty good!)  Oh, we also paid two fees of $150 each to ERCA for some drains.

Essex County Time Capsule – Celebrating Canada 150/Essex County
225

I found this little tidbit under consent correspondence. It appears that the county will be creating and burying a time capsule in honour of the Canada 150 and the 225th Anniversary of Essex County. It looks like they’re asking Amherstburg town council for a couple of artifacts to include in the time capsule. Do you think council would include one of my business cards? On that note, now that you really should be laughing, see you Monday night! It’s going to be hot, hot, hot!

 

Happy 150th Canada !

I am very proud to announce that I was a recipient of a Canada 150 Award and Medal today!!!!! Woo hooooo! It was an honour to sit amongst the many volunteers who’ve played various roles in and for our beautiful town.

To begin the day, the Canada D’Eh run was a sold out show! The only representatives of Council that were present were Mayor DiCarlo and Councillor Meloche. They handed out the medals to the winners and showed true spirit for Amherstburg and Canada! Thank you to both of you for your time and dedication.

The ceremony that I attended this afternoon for the Canada 150 awards was full of spirit and fun! I was honoured to sit among over 100 Amherstburg residents who have helped play a role in building a better Amherstburg through their dedication. At one point while I was sitting there, something fell from the tree and floated by my head and I wasn’t sure if someone had thrown something at me LOL. I was safe, nothing thrown.

I would like to thank the person or persons who nominated me for this award. I was given a copy of the nomination letter and just wanted to highlight a few sentences in there that really touched home. “Whether or not readers agree with her opinion/thoughts, her blog is based on research of the agenda items and lively discussion of the outcome of Town Council Meetings. At this time, Canada’s 150th, the ability for residents to participate in transparent democratic processes and freely express opinions, and openly participate in all levels of the Government process is enjoyed by everyone within our democracy. …  She continues to demonstrate core values from Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms to not only become involved in the local political process but also enable other’s engagement.”

This afternoon, Councillor Meloche, Councillor Pouget, Deputy Mayor DiPasquale, Mayor DiCarlo, CAO John Miceli, Tracey Ramsey, M.P., Taras Natyshak, M.P.P. and a representative of Parks Canada were on the stage to present the awards.

Thank you Amherstburg for reading my blog. I hope it helps to keep you knowledgeable and involved in our town politics. From the beginning, I’ve always intended to try to keep it light, entertaining and funny (when possible!). I intend to continue to provide this odd and weird “service” at least until the end of this council’s term. I appreciate all of the positive feedback, whether comments on the blog, comments on Facebook, messages, texts, whatever, it is what keeps me motivated to carry on and forward! It’s certainly not the awful seats in the town hall gallery! LOL I won’t lie….sometimes I want to run out of the room screaming and yelling, but I’ll continue to be back week after week Amherstburg! Just for you! 😉

Here’s a picture of the certificate and the medal I received. Thank you to all of my readers, the lovers, the haters and the inbetweeners. (I know it’s not a word!) And I would be remiss if I didn’t thank my husband for being one of my biggest supporters and for cheering for me and taking pictures today.