MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Milt McIver, Deputy Mayor Debbie Myles, Councillor Laurie (Smokey) Golden, Councillor James Mielhausen, Councillor Megan Myles
STAFF PRESENT: Clerk, Mary Lynn Standen, Deputy Clerk, Cathy Addison, Treasurer, Teresa Shearer
DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST AND GENERAL NATURE THEREOF
Mayor McIver called the meeting to order at 9:01 a.m. and Council members were reminded to disclose any pecuniary interest and the general nature thereof that may arise during the course of the meeting.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Moved by J. Mielhausen Resolution #18-01-2020 Seconded by M. Myles
THAT the content of the agenda be approved as presented.
Carried
ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES
There are no Minutes to adopt for Special Council Meeting No. 20-18, March 30, 2020.
PUBLIC MEETING
There is no Public Meeting for Special Council Meeting No. 20-18, March 30, 2020.
DELEGATION
There is no Delegation for Special Council Meeting No. 20-18, March 30, 2020.
CONSIDERATION OF AGENDA ITEMS
1. Clerk Report No. C 20-21
RE: Procedural By-law update – Electronic Meeting Participation for Council Meetings, on a trial basis, during the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) or until the end of 2020, whichever comes first.
Moved by L. Golden Resolution #18-02-2020 Seconded by D. Myles
THAT Council endorses the enactment of an amendment to the Procedural By-law (being By-law No. 2020-43) at today’s meeting for the purposes of authorizing electronic meeting participation and establishing policies for open and closed council meetings, on a trial basis, during the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) or until the end of 2020, whichever comes first.
Carried
OTHER BUSINESS
The Deputy Clerk provided an update on COVID-19 and the following was noted:
• A total of 187 municipalities and 48 First Nations communities have declared emergencies due to COVID-19 as of March 29, 2020
• The emergency order prohibiting public gatherings was amended to apply to public gatherings of over five people. It now applies to any social gatherings, public or private, of over five people, including religious services, with some exceptions.
• As of March 28, 2020, the maximum number of people who can attend a funeral or visitation in one room at one time is 10 or fewer. Again, this depends on the size of the room.
• The Ministry of Labour, Training, and Skills Development’s chief prevention officer issued new guidance on preventing the spread of COVID-19 at construction sites.
• As of March 29, 2020, at 12:00 p.m., the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) has confirmed 5,655 cases of COVID-19 in Canada and 60 fatalities.
• Bruce County is installing 10 mobile signs throughout the County with the message “Prevent COVID-19 Spread, Stay Home” on alternating screens.
• Bruce County secured permission from the MTO to go ahead and place signs in their rights-of-way; however, the appropriate paperwork will still need to be completed.
• The signage closest to our area will be placed at the intersection of Highway 6 and Bruce Road 8/10 Hepworth and Bruce County Wiarton Shop on Highway 6 at the top of north hill in Wiarton.
• Mayor McIver and the Deputy Clerk had several discussions over the weekend with Peninsula Family Health Team (PFHT) representatives. There appears to some misinformation circulating within the municipality and some people are anxious. As a Municipality, we want to make sure residents are getting factual information. It was noted that good communication with the public is very important right now.
• The PFHT would like to joint communicate with the Municipality. Working together and highlighting any changes in service levels with Municipal facilities and sharing information and resources from other community partners is paramount. The PFHT would release their media release on Tuesday and the Municipality would follow with a Friday Mayor’s message publication
• The communications will be distributed throughout various avenues like emailing cottage associations, key email organizations, radio, newspaper, social media (excluding the Municipality) and hard copies posted in areas throughout the peninsula.
Mayor McIver commended the PFHT leadership noting it is time for the Municipality and the PFHT to address the community regularly in an informative manner based on our health-care and Municipal knowledge. Mayor McIver suggested the Clerk, Deputy Clerk and Public Works Administrative Assistant assist with compiling this information in partnership with PFHT.
Councillor Golden advised that, Air B&Bs or other rental agencies and/or private, still appear to be renting in the Tobermory area. Mayor McIver advised he would like to know if the Municipality has the authority to address this issue.
Following a Council discussion, it was noted there are portable signs within the community and the Deputy Clerk was instructed to follow-up with private portable sign owners and Bruce Peninsula National Park (BPNP). BPNP could utilize their signage to indicate the Grotto area, trails, etc. are closed. This type of signage needs to be placed in the southern part of the Municipality. It was noted, the sign message should be consistent with the Bruce County sign message.
Councillor Myles asked if there had been any feedback from the COVID-19 staff compensation policy and continuity of business resolution.
Mayor McIver expressed a concern with the use of Facebook by Council members and posting information prior to staff being made aware of issues.
Council discussed the successes and challenges of social media use. The Clerk advised that there is no Council resolution in place with respect to the implementation of a social media policy.
Moved by J. Mielhausen Resolution #18-03-2020 Seconded by M. Myles
THAT Council instructs staff to prepare a comprehensive report on the successes and challenges associated with the implementation of a Social Media Policy on the various platforms available for the Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula.
Carried
Councillor Mielhausen suggested Council be presented with an update regarding the previously approved changes to landfill operations at the next Council meeting.
CORRESPONDENCE
There is no Correspondence for Special Council Meeting No. 20-18, March 30, 2020.
READING OF BY-LAWS
Moved by L. Golden Resolution #18-04-2020 Seconded by D. Myles
THAT the following listed by-law be given 1st, 2nd and 3rd reading and enacted:
2020-43 BEING A BY-LAW TO ESTABLISH SPECIAL PROVISIONS TO AUTHORIZE ELECTRONIC PARTICIPATION IN OPEN AND CLOSED COUNCIL MEETINGS, ON A TRIAL BASIS, DURING THE NOVEL CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) [AS DEFINED BY THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION (WHO) OR UNTIL THE END OF 2020 WHICHEVER COMES FIRST]
2020-45 BEING A BY-LAW TO CONFIRM THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING OF THE CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF NORTHERN BRUCE PENINSULA HELD MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2020
Carried
CLOSED SESSION
THAT Council move into closed meeting pursuant to Section 239 of The Municipal Act, 2001, as amended, for the following reasons: b) personal matters about an identifiable individual including Municipal or local board members, and, d) labour relations or employee negotiations, (Chief Administrative Officer recruitment) (Administration Staff, Lion’s Head Marina Staff and Lion’s Head Campground Staff)
Moved by J. Mielhausen Resolution #18-05-2020 Seconded by M. Myles
THAT Council move into closed meeting at 10:12 a.m. pursuant to Section 239 of The Municipal Act, 2001, as amended, for the following reasons: b) personal matters about an identifiable individual including Municipal or local board members, and, d) labour relations or employee negotiations, (Administration Staff, Lion’s Head Marina Staff and Lion’s Head Campground Staff).
Carried
Deputy Mayor Myles declared a conflict of interest in respect to Closed Session (Administration Staff, Lion’s Head Marina Staff and Lion’s Head Campground Staff) as “Cheri is my daughter”.
RECONVENE FROM “CLOSED SESSION” TO RESUME COUNCIL MEETING
Moved by J. Mielhausen Resolution #18-06-2020 Seconded by M. Myles
THAT Council reconvenes from Closed Session at 10:53 a.m. and resumes the Council meeting.
Carried
RECONVENE FROM “CLOSED SESSION” TO RESUME COUNCIL MEETING
Deputy Mayor Myles resumed her place in the meeting at this time.
The Mayor advised that direction has been given to staff on the matters addressed during Closed Session.
ADJOURNMENT
Moved by L. Golden Resolution #18-07-2020 Seconded by J. Mielhausen
THAT the meeting adjourns at 10:54 a.m.
Carried
