Policy and Planning Quarterly
Summer and Fall 2022 (Municipal Election, Physician Recruitment, Strategic Plan)
The Policy and Planning Quarterly provides quarterly highlights of bylaw changes, Council decisions and land-use planning matters that are of public interest.
Municipal Election 2022
In light of the Municipal Election on October 24th, 2022 and the start of the campaign period, the third and fourth quarters of 2022 are, by this issue, being reported on together. With the nomination period coming to an end on August 19th at the end of last summer, municipal election campaigns came into full swing throughout the fall, culminating with the election of a new Mayor and Council who started their mandate on November 15th, 2022. The newly elected Council was declared as follows:
Mayor: Douglas Gervais, Councillor: Angela Kelly, Councillor: Aidan Kallioinen, Councillor: Johnathan Nadeau, Councillor: Sandra Hayden (returning), Councillor: Gerry Massicotte, Councillor Ken Duplessis (returning)
Featured Bylaws and Resolutions
(Full bylaw/resolution reports available at www.espanola.ca or at the Municipal Office, 100 Tudhope Street)
Waste Disposal Contract
At the July 12th, 2022, Council Meeting, Council reconsidered a decision not to accept the Waste Disposal Contract to re-visit certain key aspects of the contract. The contract was accepted with the following key terms: 10 – year contract term, no cost-of-living adjustment for the first 5 years, residential weekly bag limits will transition from 4 bags/week to 2 bags/week effective one year after the date of signing, commercial bag limits will transition from 16 bags/week to 8 bags/week effective one year after the date of signing, the weight of the bags be stipulated within the contract at 50 lbs/bag, and residential and commercial/industrial businesses have the option to purchase up to 2 bags/month at a cost of $2.00/bag for curb-side pick-up.
The transition to reduced bag limits is expected to come into effect in summer of 2023, with further communication on the exact date to be communicated in winter/spring of 2023.
Physician Recruitment
At the September 27th, 2022, Council Meeting, Council approved the annual donation of $20,000 to the Espanola Regional Hospital and Health Centre. This annual donation provides the Hospital with additional resources to help recruit physicians to our area, including assistance with accommodations and relocation and recruitment campaigns.
The Espanola and Area Family Health Team includes 5 Family Physicians, 3 Nurse Practitioners, 3 Registered Nurses, 1 Diabetic Nurse Educator, 4 Registered Practical Nurses, 2 Registered Dieticians, 2 Registered Social Workers, 1 Addictions Navigator (RAAM), 1 Manager and a team of Medical Receptionists.
Strategic Plan
At its first Regular Meeting of Council, on December 13th, 2022, the new Council approved a proposal to develop a new Strategic Plan for the Town. CAO/Treasurer, Mr. Allan Hewitt, explained in a staff report the importance of not only setting a vision for the future by developing a strategic plan, but also the steps that it will lay out to achieve the goals required to meet that vision. Through a request for proposals (RFP) process, the successful bidder was Mr. David King of Municipal Advisory Services (MAS) accompanied by Mr. Bill Winegard. The aspects of their proposal that were identified to have set them apart from other bidders included their experience level, their understanding of the major issues and objectives of the RFP, their approach and their financial proposal. The proposal has a maximum cost for the project of $27,020, to be paid for with modernization reserve funds received from the Province in 2019. The Strategic Planning Process is expected to occur through winter and spring, including community consultation, with an expected delivery date by the end of June.
Quarterly Council Decision Highlights (Summer and Fall 2022)
- Approval of the renewal of policy R05-01632, Video Surveillance Policy
- Approval of Bylaw 3098/22, the Site Plan Control Area Bylaw.
- Approval of Bylaw 3101/22, authorizing the delegation of certain authorities during the “lame duck” period.
- Approval of recommendation not to fill the vacant Council seat of the late Councillor Bill Foster.
- Approval of relocation of Vista Radio (MOOSE FM) transmitter to the new water tower located at the Public Works Department.
- Approval of Sherwood Park Playground Equipment Tender to New World Park Solutions Inc. for the replacement of the playground equipment in 2023.
- Approval of recommendation to declare September as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
- Approval of recognition of September 30th, 2022 as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
- Approval of resolution calling on the Federal Government of Canada not to reduce the number of federal constituency ridings in Northern Ontario.
- Approval of Bylaw 3112/22, being a Bylaw to authorize the cost recovery (fees) with respect to Fire Department specific response.
- Approval of Proclamation of Legion Week from September 18th to September 24th, 2022.
- Approval of recognition of Franco-Ontario Day on September 25th, 2022.
- Approval of new Council Procedural Bylaw.
- Approval of the Municipal Insurance and Risk Renewal with Municipal Insurance Services (MIS) and Marsh Canada Ltd.
Land-Use Planning
Summer/Fall Planning Act Highlights:
- Official Plan Amendment to amend Sections 3.4 and 3.6.1.2 to permit new lot creation on a private road and for exception to Section 3.6.2.2 d) to permit a lot smaller than 1.0 ha. The subject lands are approximately 70,000 square feet with 561 ft of frontage on Loon Lake.
- Part-Lot Control for 87 and 93 Yusko Crescent, to allow for the severance of semi-detached dwelling units for ownership.
Reminders
Driveway Snow Clearing
The Town of Espanola would like to remind residents, businesses and plow contractors that as per section 32(5) of the Traffic Bylaw, no person shall foul a highway street, roadway, laneway or bridge within the Town of Espanola, or cause any such highway to be obstructed, encumbered, injured or fouled, by throwing or depositing or causing to be thrown or deposited thereon any snow or ice. Violation of this bylaw carries a fine of $90 per occurrence.
The Policy and Planning Quarterly is prepared by Joseph Burke, Town Clerk and Manager of Planning Services. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns by email at [email protected] or by phone at 705-869-1540.