Council Rundown
May 23rd
The Regular Meeting of Council on May 23rd included a number of items under business arising from Board and Committees in the Consent Agenda and two Regular Agenda motions.
Consent Agenda
Policy regarding the decontamination and handling of soiled bunker gear
Council adopted a new policy regarding the decontamination and handling of soiled bunker gear for assisting in the prevention of Cancer, following suit with numerous municipalities/Fire Departments in Ontario.
Pride Month
June has been declared as Pride Month in Espanola as part of the Town’s annual commitment to raising awareness for equal rights and full equality for individuals locally and globally who are Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, + (2SLGBTQI+). The Pride Flag will be raised at Town Hall on June 1st at a time to be determined and communicated before the end of this week.
Centre Street to have honorary name: “Veterans Way”
An application submitted by the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #39 to give Centre Street the honorary name “Veterans Way” has been approved. The Town will be working with the Legion to do an unveiling and reception as part of Legion Week in September. The honorary naming does not require any businesses, residences or property owners to change their address. The initial intent will be to display signs at the four major intersections in Town where traffic lights are located. Signs will be in Anishinaabemowin, English and French.
Gravel Tender
The Town’s annual gravel tender was awarded to Carlyle Construction Ltd. Four suppliers were invited to bid with only two responses. The price for gravel has increased 25% over 2022.
Reappointment of Integrity Commissioner
Integrity Commissioner, Robert J. Swayze has been re-appointed for a four-year term. Council is required to appoint an integrity commissioner under the Municipal Act. A request for proposals (RFP) was published widely and shared with a network of more than forty integrity commissioners. Mr. Swayze’s proposal was the only proposal received. Mr. Swayze’s proposal met all aspects of the Town’s RFP requirements.
Member Motion Regarding Oath of Office (A. Kallioinen)
A motion to support other municipalities in advocating to the Province that the Oath of Office for Council Members include mention of the Indigenous and Treaty Rights of First Nations, Inuit and Metis Peoples was approved. The motion was put forward by Councillor Kallioinen.
Mayor and Councillor Announcements
Councillor Kallioinen summarized a new social media initiative he is undertaking named Support Local Saturdays. Each week, he is visiting local businesses in Espanola in an effort to support small businesses and the #shopsmall movement. He encouraged any community members and Council members interested in joining him to do contact him.
Councillor Kallioinen further expressed that he is looking forward to the Knight Cruisers 20th Annual Car Show/Cruise-in and Craft Fair. The event is taking place from 9am to 3pm on Saturday, May 27th at the track and field beside the Espanola Regional Recreation Complex.
Councillor Kallioinen further expressed gratitude to staff at the Recreation Complex for assisting Minor Soccer in procuring new nets to permit additional soccer games for younger divisions to take place at the track and field in addition to the field located adjacent to the Baseball Fields. Minor Soccer has had over 250 registrants in their youth league and over 30 in their adult league. There is still space in the adult league for registrants.
Councillor Kallioinen also expressed enthusiasm for the Library’s Spring Book Sale. It is running each day this week until Saturday.
Councillor Duplessis provided a summary of his attendance at the Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities Conference (FONOM) May 8th to 10th. He highlighted numerous presentations including from MPAC, FedNor and AMO as well as presentations regarding insurance and risk management, policing matters, transportation, Ontario Northland, and Provincial Electrical matters. In addition, a number of Provincial Ministers were present and spoke of recent accomplishments and future plans relating to health care, roads and highways amongst other topics. A full report prepared by Councillor Duplessis is available upon request at Town Hall.
Mayor Gervais echoed Councillor Duplessis’ comments regarding the FONOM Conference and thanked Deputy Mayor Kelly for chairing the Council Meeting on May 9th in his absence.
The Council Rundown provides a summary of each Council Meeting. The official record of each meeting is the Meeting Minutes and can be found in the Council Meetings section of the website. Video recordings of meetings are similarly available in the same section. Any questions regarding Council Meetings can be directed to Joseph Burke, Town Clerk at [email protected] or by calling 705-869-1540.