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November 10, 1998 Agenda ORDERS OF THE DA Y 1998 at 9:00 A.M. MORNING SESSION 1 st Meeting Called to Order 2nd Adoption of Minutes - meeting held on October 27, 1998 Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof Presenting Petitions, n......................L...J.:............ .........J n...l......n....¡,:............. DELEGATIONS 9:00 Mr. Carl Bienefeld, Pr n Tourist Association will attend to discuss "Tol :I by FAX) FOR TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10TH r I""......... ,1.....Llv. I.... ~lly LJ.... I....;::r'-'" U....I I"" 3rd 4th PAGE # Mr. Ron Bradfield, Council Representative, Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital, to address Council on the current issues affecting rural hospitals today. (ENCLOSED) Committee Of The Whole Counci and Staff Reports of Reports of Councillors & Council Representatives Reports of Staff Motion to Move Into Counci 5th 6th 1 - see attached Agenda) Correspondence Consideration Information (Consent Counci ) Items for , Items for -Camera i ii; 7th 2 3 Items see separate agenda Motion to Rise and Report 8th the Committee Of The Whole Motion to Adopt OTHER BUSINESS Statements/Inquiries by Members Notice of Motion Matters of Urgency Recommendations from 1) 2) 3) 9th 10th 11th Consideration of By-Laws ADJOURNMENT 12th 13th 4 LUNCH WILL BE PROVIDED In-Camera Administrator/Clerk's Performance Evaluation following regular meeting. TILLSONBURG DISTRICT MEMORIAL HOSPITAL ~Œ@(~aWŒOO s 998 1 25 September Clerk i998 C!U¡¡,j'f'{ !If EI.aill! C! 'S(lf~ EP j/;r:~ Mark County of Elgin 450 Sunset Drive St. Thomas, Ontario N5R 5V1 MacDonald Mark MacDonald The Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital's Board of Directors has identified a need to inform Municipal Councils in the. Tri-county area about the state of our health care system, the hospital's restructuring initiatives and, more importantly, about the pending physician issues that may lead to a crisis situation in our Emergency Services Dear We would appreciate the opportunity of making a 10 minute presentation to your Municipality at your October or November Council meeting. Board representatives would attend and speak on the followin9 topics rural hospitals today Consolidation Strategic Alliance e.g. Wellness Day Program, Outpatient current issues affecting restructuring initiatives Oxford Hospitals' Hospital Services Program physician issues · · · · · time and location We w contact you in future to confirm presentation date consideration is appreciated Your Yours sincerely Board Chair Directors Fax (519) 842·6733 Telephone (519) 842·3611 167 Rolph Street, Tillsonburg, Ontario N4G 3Y9 "~œ@ŒQ~Œœ OCT 15 199R , this ~~&'B!~~FM~ TILLSONBURG DISTRICT MEMORIAL HOSPITA BOARD OF DIRECTORS' PRESENTATION Thank you for Invitin9 us to speak to you today (tonight, this afternoon but more specifically, to brin9 you up to date on just what has been happening at the Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital. When surveyed, a majority of Canadians identify our health care system, considered by many to be the best in the world, as the one thing that makes us distinctly Canadian. However, in recent surveys, the people in Ontario have voiced their concern about that very tenet of our society and they have every reason to be concerned. There are significant pressures on our Medicare System: the need to manage and control costs; the health care needs of an aging population and other changes in demographics; the growth and cost of new technology; the speed of change; and finally, the public's own very high expectations. A majority of Ontarians are concerned about the quality of health care and access to local hospital care. They are convinced that the cuts to date have gone far beyond just cutting excess 'fat' and have started to cut into the 'bone' of the health care sector and they believe that the 90vernment's number one priority now should be to ensure that health care is adequately funded. Since 1992, Ontario's hospitals have experienced escalating cuts in their budgets of approximately 25%, bearing in mind inflation, population 9rowth, population a9ing and actual cuts. We are at the point, in Ontario, where the financial and operational viability of hospitals is threatened. Hospital budgets were cut by 5% or $365 million in 1996/97. They were cut a further 6% or $435 million in 1997/98. The proposed cut of $507 million in 1998/99 has been cancelled because we were able to successfully demonstrate to the government that further cuts could not be made without adversely affectin9 patient care. The government's numerous cuts to hospital funding in Tillsonburg, have resulted in our annual base budget being almost $2 million less than it was 5 years ago. To respond to this loss of revenue and to comply with Ministry of Health criteria, Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital increased the number of outpatient procedures, decreased the average len9th of stay for each patient and in the last 5 years. closed 63 beds heath care system in genera appreciate this opportunity to bring you an update on our Presentation 2 Sept. 1998 iï Just in the last three years, the MInistry of Health has reduced funding by $1,590,531 or 10.9%. In response, the hospital: * Reduced team members by 47.4 or 18.6% * Reduced beds from 116 to 79 * Reduced patient days per thousand population from 795 to 522 (Ministry of Health benchmark 577) * Emergency visits have increased 9.5% * Day surgery increased from 60% to 70% Although, while making these adjustments, we believe we have been able to maintain a high quality of care, we are still concerned for the future of our health care system. Tillsonburg is underserviced when it comes to the number of family physicians serving our Tri-County Area. The demands on our physicians are tremendous and their heavy time commitment is neither recognized nor adequately compensated. They are expected to work long hours in their offices, visit patients in nursing homes and in the Hospital, serve on various Hospital committees, participate in the Hospital's strategic plannin9 process and then provide shared on-call services for Emergency, Anaesthesia, Obstetrics and Inpatient Care - day and night. On any given ni9ht durin9 the week, the physician on-call for Emergency, may see between 40- 80 patients and on one recent week-end, the on-call physician did see a record 240 patients. This busy hospital workload, coupled with their own very busy office practices, raises a great deal of concern about their ability to continue to support the Hospital. The Ministry of Health Physician Payment Plan was designed with urban physician practices in mind. It does not rec09nize the additional roles that rural family physicians assume to support their community hospital. If a suitable solution is not soon found by the 90vernment, our community, like others such as Exeter, St. Mary's and Newbury, is at risk of losing critical services such as weekend and evening Emergency Room coverage. People would then have to access services at Woodstock General Hospital, Norfolk General Hospital or St, Thomas Elgin General Hospital. Simply put, the government cannot expect community physicians to assume all of the additional responsibility without compensatin9 them fairly. It has been determined that 85 - 90% of emergency room patients in Ontario, do not need to be admitted to a hospital bed and over 50% of emergency patients can wait if a more critical situation arises. However, the Canada Health Act promises that the health care of every Canadian will be accessible, affordable, portable, universal and government funded, so no one can be turned away. The provincial governments say that because of cuts to the federal transfer payments, they can no longer afford to keep this promise Presentation 3 Sept. 1998 ii The already strained hospital budgets have become even tighter because of union settlements, hospital funding reductions and the cost to achieve Year 2000 Compliance. These new expenditures will jump the projected deficit for the hospitals in Ontario to between $300 and $500 million and will leave hospitals with no alternative but to scramble to reduce services and cut pr09rams. Through this whole decade of fiscal restraint and restructuring, the Tillsonburg Hospital has been able to maintain a sound financial position through 900d financial planning and management and for that history we are justifiably proud. We remain optimistic that the government will recognize and respond to the seriousness of this continuing funding shortfall and by so doin9, allow us to "weather this latest storm". Back in 1,994, the Tillsonburg Hospital acknowledged that change in the health care system was inevitable and necessary and we knew that we had to embrace it and move forward to implement it, but we wanted to help desi9n it as well. We enlisted the support of everyone in the Tri-County Area and even beyond, and we were overwhelmed by the response - beginning with the enormous turnout at the November, 1994, Community Meeting at the Tillsonbur9 Complex, through our Public Information Campaign early in 1995 and culminating in a second Community Meeting on May 6, 1996. That outpouring of support resulted in the Thames Valley District Health Council submitting its Oxford Hospitals' Plannin9Study to the Minister of Health Jim Wilson on June 17, 1996. In that study the Council recommended the establishment of a partnership or alliance with the hospitals in Ingersoll and Woodstock. The tremendous community support that we received, influenced the recommendations and allowed us to maintain a board that truly represents our Tri-County Area - our very own design. In January, 1997, the Chair of the Thames Valley District Health Council wrote to the Minister of Health stating: "/ am pleased to advise you that, indeed, significant progress has been achieved (in Oxford County). Shared services concerning pharmacy andpath%gy are well in place or well advanced. The hospitals, in a spirit of co-operation, are actively investigating the following: (Shared) laboratory (and pathology) Nursing Workload System Information Techn%gy Planning Socia/ Work: Palliative Care, Discharge Planning Long Term Care Beds Contract Support Services: Maintenance, Housekeeping Laundry Common Credentialling Process for Medica/ Staff Human Resource Management Presentation 4 Sept. 1998 ii ... for this positive development, the Thames Valley District Health Council is pleased and has encouraged the hospitals to continue in the same vein. " And as a follow-up, in February, 1998, the new Chair of the Thames Valley District Health Council wrote to the new Minister of Health, Ms. Elizabeth Witmer, saying, "/ must stress that all members of Council and its staff were very impressed with the accomplishments to date of the (Oxford Hospital's Strategic) Alliance and the plans and potentia/ for further success. The Alliance is evidence of a type of joint governance which can advance collaborative operations while preserving the uniqueness to the institutions' responses to their local communities. Council is confident that the Oxford Hospita/s' Strategic Alliance is moving forward in a way which is consistent with the intent and spirit of the original Oxford Hospita/s' Planning Study. " In June 1998, the Health Services Restructuring Commission proposed the establishment of sixteen (16) networks to include all community hospitals in Ontario. Tillsonburg has been included in a network with seven other area hospitals. The eight hospitals are recommending the formation of the Thames Valley Hospital Planning Partnership. This partnership will encourage collaboration and inte9ration at the re9ional level and at the same time maintain local decision-making through existing alliances and partnerships. Now we must wait for the Restructurin9 Commission to respond. They have the final word. But we are not standing still while we wait. Our planning continues. At Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital, we focus on continuing to provide access to quality patient care. Our Vision states that: "As the primary health care facility, TDMH will take the lead in developing partnerships and alliances with other community health care providers to ensure a continuum of integrated services in our Tri-county area. " Now that we have formed our Alliance with the hospitals in Ingersoll and Woodstock, we are establishing partnerships with other providers in the community. Together we will look at the needs of the community and determine how these needs can best be met. We have many 900d examples of existing partnership initiatives. The Healthy Babies, Healthy Children Program is a community based partnerships in action Public Health and the Hospital working together. Presentation 5 Sept. 1998 ii Because of community nitiatives we have programs such as Palliative Care and Mammography Screening. Because of community needs, we have partnered with other hospitals to provide local access to specialized services such as: Opthalmology Day Surgery and Outpatient Clinic, Urology Day Surgery and Outpatient Clinic, Orthopaedics Outpatient Clinic, Neurology Outpatient Clinic and a Satellite Outpatient Psychiatric Clinic. Our brand new Wellness Day Program is another example of a community based partnership in action. The Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital and the Oxford County Victorian Order of Nurses are workin9 together to help the elderly and disabled to live as independently as possible in the community. The Program is located on the Main Floor, North Wing. The unit has been renovated to accommodate the Program in a comfortable, safe and secure environment. A full course nutritious meal is provided and clients appreciate and benefit from the opportunity to socialize and converse at meal times. Acceptance into the Program is based on an interdisciplinary assessment which determines whether or not the coordinated services provided can enhance or. maintain the elderly or disabled person within their community, at their ultimate level of functionin9. The Pr09ram is generally aimed at people over 65 years of age but persons under 65 are considered on an individual basis. The services offered are determined by community need and include the following * Interdisciplinary assessment * Social and recreational programs *Therapy pro9rams , physio - occupational - respiratory - continence - mental health * Exercise program * Education - wellness promotion - disease specific - caregiver support * Medication review * Nutritional assessment * Personal hygiene (whirlpool tub) ,-., Presentation 6 Sept. 1998 Ii * Foot care * Social integration and Community reintegration For the social integration and Community reintegration, the client pays VON a fee of approximately $13 to attend plus $2.50 for transportation if required. As you can see the Tillsonburg Hospital and VON Oxford are partnering to deliver a broad spectrum of services that focuses on well ness, reactivation and rehabilitation. The renovations for the Wellness Day Program facilitated another initiative for us to better serve the community. The Consolidated Outpatient Service has been created to "make your visit with us as pleasant as possible ". Instead of requiring you to go to several different areas of the Hospital to wait in line for diagnostic tests, we have consolidated all testing on the Main Floor, near the Emergency Entrance. Plannin9 for this service involved representatives of every Hospital Service affected and representatives from all referring physicians' offices. This 'sin9le stop' Service improves and simplifies access for 43000 outpatient visits per year, streamlines our Services and maximizes efficiency. You can now eliminate waiting time by scheduling your appointment ahead of time and at your own convenience. You will also have the option of an 'after hour' appointment. Ease of access to our Services is important in our commitment to remain patient-focused. The Consolidated Outpatient Service is in keeping with the Hospital's Mission and Vision and is yet another example of working together with other providers to identify and subsequently meet the health care needs of our community. Other projects still in the infancy planning stage include supportive housing to provide a continuum of services for the elderly and also the expansion of our Outpatient Psychiatric Services to include video conferencing with London Psychiatric Hospital. As I have stated before, we are doing a great deal but we always need to do more. We need your help in identifying, assessing and then attempting to meet other community needs and in so doing, affect the health status of the citizens living in the Tri-County area. Together we can work for a healthier community. Thank you for 9ivin9 us this opportunity to keep you informed about services and plans at the Hospital and about how we are responding to government restructuring and funding issues. There is an urgency to control costs and realign services but we must keep in mind that the people we serve are interested in quality, accessible and affordable health care. We must serve those people well today and at the same time, build a better and more patient- Presentation 7 Sept. 1998 ii focused system for them tomorrow. We extend an invitation to you to provide input on our future direction and on any new collaborative partnerships that would allow us to continue to grow and improve. G:IUSERSISPENCERJIDA TAl 199818oardlcorporate planninglvisitation planlservice club presentation. wpd "366 P.Ø1/Ø1 15:56 1Ø-26 TILLSONBURG DISTRICT MEMORIAL HOSPITAL BOARD PRESENTATION TO MUNICIPAL COUNCIL 1998 519 842 673::3 TDMH FROM might be helpfu the following addresses nformation For your resolution regards to draft with Loralee Heemskerk Witmer Park The Honourable Elizabeth Minister of Health 10!h Floor, Hepburn Block 80 Grosvenor Street, Queen's Toronto, Ontario M7A 2C4 Fax (416) 326-1571 Mr. Paul Huras, Executive Director Thames Valley District Health Counc 105-100 Collip Circle, UWO Research Park London. Ontario N6G 4X8 Fax (519) 858-5016 ROMA) Rural Ontario Municipality Association 393 University Avenue.. Suite 1701 Toronto, Ontario M5G 1 E8 Fax (416) 971-6191 MPP Oxford Ernie Hardeman 1 2 Perry Street Woodstock, Ontario N4S 3C2 Fax (519 537-3577 MPP Peter North, Elgin 542 Talbot Street St. Thomas, Ontario N5P 1 C4 Fax (519 631-9478 Toby Barrett, MPP Haldimand-Norfolk & Town of Tillsonburg 29 Norfolk Street, North Simcoe, Ontario N4Y 3N6 Fax 519) 428-0835 REPORTS OF COUNCIL AND STAFF NOVEMBER 10TH, 1998 REPORTS OF COUNCILLORS Family & Children's Services of St. Thomas and Elgin - Mid-Year Report on Agency Activities to the County of Elgin, The City ofSt. Thomas, and the St. Thomas-Elgin United Way Services September 1998. (ATTACHED) 1 Association Annual Report. Councillor VanBrenk, St. Thomas-Elgin Tourist (to be circulated by FAX) 2. STAFF REPORTS (ATTACHED) C.D. Watters, Manager, Engineering Services - Temporary Closure of Highway 401 Overpass County Road #119 (Mill Road) by the Ministry of Transportation (ATTACHED) Bridge I Engineering Services - Kingsm Manager, C.D. Watters 1 2 Condition of Rumble Bumps on County Roads Engineering Services Manager, C.D. Watters, (ATTACHED) 3. (ATTACHED) Rowe Energy Corporation Engineering Services Manager, 4. C.D. Watters, (ATTACHED) (ATTACHED) the Homes Purchase of Nursing Equipment Surplus Equipment from M. Fleck, Acting Director of Homes 5. M. Fleck, Acting Director of Homes , 6 (ATTACHED) Proposed Amendment to Personnel Policy 4.90 Occupancy Report Personnel Administrator - M. Fleck, Acting Director of Homes H.J. Underhill, (ATTACHED) 7 8. (ATTACHED) Engineering Services, Statistical Report for the Month of September t Museum Report Treasurer, 10. C. Bishop, Manager, 1998 (ATTACHED) L. Veger, 9. Family & Children's Services OF ST. THOMAS AND ELGIN INC. AS THE CHILDREN'S AID SOCIETY OF THE CITY OF ST. THOMAS AND THE COUNTY OF ELGIN . Tel . Fax ·0596 631 (519) N5R 3C7 (519) 631 BAILEY, Executive Director 492 Drive, St. Thomas, Ontario STEVEN J. 410 Sunset ~Œ@Œa\1Œ® OCT 5 1998 COUII!TY OF ELGli/I ClER\{'S IIIfIŒ on agency Report Mid-Year Services' Family & Children's 998 Mr. Mark G. McDonald Administrator Clerk and Members of Counci County of EI9in 450 Sunset Drive ST. THOMAS, ONTARIO N5R 5V1 Dear Mr. McDonald: Please find enclosed activities 1 30 September require further information you me if Do not hesitate to contact Sincerely, teve Bailey, Executive Director SB/rw Encl. . Copy: Sandra Aarts Dan Dale Marian Millman A MEMBER OF THE ELGIN-ST, THOMAS UNITED WAY SERVICES Family & Children's Services OF ST, THOMAS AJ'iD ELGIN INC. AS THE CHILDREN'S AID SOCIETY OF THE CITY OF ST. THOMAS AND THE COUNTY OF ELGIN (519) 631·0596 Fax . 492 St. Thomas, (519) STEVEN J. BAILEY, Executive Director 631 Tel . NSR 3C7 Ontario 410 Sunset Drive, MID-YEAR REPORT ON AGENCY ACTIVITIES TO THE COUNTY OF ELGIN, THE CITY OF ST. THOMAS, AND THE ST. THOMAS-ELGIN UNITED WAY SERVICES SEPTEMBER 1998 As is the case for most public services, 1998 has been á year of tremendous change. Commencing in January 1998, Children's Aid Societies are now funded 1 00% by the provincial Ministry of Community and Social Services, ending a municipal funding partnership that went back over a century. Our fiscal year was changed in 1998 to conform to the April 1 st government year. This report covers the "rump" year of January to March, 1998, plus the first five months of our 1988-99 year Service Trends 1996(Jan-Au 1997(Jan-Au 1998(Jan-Au 260 292 362 Child Protection Cases Opened No 456 497 652 Child Protection Cases Served No 66 62 51 Admitted to Care Children No 39 1 138 130 Children Served in Care No 33 33 45 VOluntary Counselling Cases Opened No 70 65 84 No. VOluntary Counselling Cases Served 40 46 47 45 Aug.31st Aug.31st Homes at No. Foster 56 Over the past 18 months, we have noticed a steady increase in the number of new and re- opened family protection cases. In 1998 we are averaging close to 50 new cases per month, an increase of about 30% over 1997 and over 45% more than 1996. In July, we implemented a province-wide model that standardizes the types of cases served by Children's Aid Societies, and the methods used in assessing the risk of harm to vulnerable children. The changes will improve the comparability of province wide service data, and increase our ability to protect abused and neglected children. Further changes will be implemented in the New Year, including a province-wide interactive child welfare database 50 No. VOlunteers at There has been a reduction in the number of children admitted to foster or group care in the first eight months of 1998 of almost 20% compared to the same period in 1997. But the number of children discharged from care has slowed down in comparison to previous years, so that as of AU9ust 31 st 1998, we had 87 children in care, which represents the highest numbers of children in some years " A MEMBER OF THE ELGIN-ST. THOMAS UNITECZVAY SERVICES ~ Because of the increase in child protection caseloads, we have hired and w be hiring a total of five additional social workers and a part time manager over and above our base complement. Further, we are looking into a plan to expand our office space n the basement of our building to accommodate the additional staff. We continue to provide a modest number of voluntary counselling and support services with the help of grants from Ministry of Community and Social Services, the United Way the Elgin Community Foundation, and other community sources Matters Our 1998 base budget continues to be considerably less than our demonstrated needs Because the demand for child protection se,rvices has continued to grow, we ran a deficit in the 1998 three month "rump period" of $138,092. We are projecting a deficit of about $750,000 for our 1998-99 fiscal year on a base budget of just under $2 Million. In each year since 1992, the Ministry of Community and Social Services has approved fiscal supplementary funding through the Contingency Fund Review (formerly Exceptional Circumstance Review) process. We have qualified for this additional funding because the over-run has been attributable to costs associated with enforcing the child protection mandate set out in the Child and Family Services Act. BudCfet awaiting a government announcement that wi radically restructure the funding for Ontario's 55 Children's Aid Societies. Also, we are encouraged by the government's decision in its current provincial budget to increase spending in Ontario in child welfare by $90 Million over the next three years. While this will not meet all the identified needs, increased funding and more equitable distribution should dramatically help Family and Children's Services, St. Thomas and Elgin, since we have been a chronic "have not" agency We are formula Activities The move to being part of a restructured public service delivery system remains a high priority for Family and Children's Services. We have participated in a number of collaborative activities that are consistent with public sector restructurin9 expectations Restructurin for the Perth Children's Aid Society, training with the St. Thomas-El9in Association CCY), welfare agencies n in cOllaboration with other agencies such Child and Family Counselling Centre and Children and Youth our colleague child sharing our finance manager with joint foster home recruiting and ., Community Living, participation in the Interagency C )unCI! for explorin9 administrative efficien(:ies with London And Oxford Counties; and providing counselling and suppor: services as the Elgin-St. Thomas Health Jnit, the Violence Against Women Services-El9in County · · · · · 3 Respectfully submitted Steve Bailey Executive Director 30,1998 September Thomas-Elgin Tourist Association Successes - St. creation of a website and new provider membership sales - 90 members - net sales Board of 16 members with diversified backgrounds, from across Elgin County, representatives of County, City, tourism businessES will host Business after five April 14/99 Draft copy of Association by"laws ready for review Many articles on us in the Times-Journal, also recently in the Aylmer Express Possible participation in International Year of Older Persons Our hook-up with the Libraries in Elgin County President meets with groups and representatives in and outside Elgin County Member of SWOTA - our events are lìsted in the "Great Get-Away Fall/Winter 1998/1999" Brochure (13 events lìsted) Participation at Iron Horse Festival - Booth Membership certificate sent to members Joint Ventureship map' with the Times-Journal and as well upcoming, the Visitors Guide 1999 Road Signage at the 401 - we are in the process Hired a summer student Computer at the Elephant Tourist Booth Advertising in Day Tripping publìcations Trying to assume responsibi1ìty for tourism kiosk at the 401 Shell Service Center Events lìsted in Ontario Events Guide (10 events) Ad in the Chamber of Commerce Directory Tourist Info Centers have been set up around the county - Super8 Motel, New- Elgin Motel, Kettle Creek Chocolates, etc. Appreciation Dinner for Bd. Members at Beanery Restaurant Regular monthly meeting, Executive meetings and meetings as needed Open meeting for Shedden Bus. Community and as well, Aylmer Bus. Community Holding meetings at different locations around the county Presentation to us by 2001 Alliance Canada Games (Tim Sample, Chief officer, Canada Summer Games) Participated on Rogers Cable TV show (Peter North, Bob Hammersley and Carl) Participated at Raì1way Committee meeting Establìsheda tourism logo Gaì1 and Tom attended Aylmer Vision Planning meeting Various guests at our meetings ~ Steve Peters, Perry Clutterbuck, our Accountant, Chamber of Commerce Internetprovider, Cathy Bishop, Railway Action Committee, Tods Sign Participation at the Toronto Travel Show ./ ./ ./ ./ ./ ./ ./ ./ ./ ./ ./ ./ ./ ./ ./ ./ ./ ./ ./ ./' ./ ./ ./ ./ ./ ./ ./ ./ ./ ./ ./ ./ Carl-Wilhelm Bienefeld - President Gail McNaughton· Secretary Rien Van Brenk - Mayor of Du1:ton-Dunwich REPORT TO COUNTY COUNCIL FROM: CLAYTON WATTERS, MANAGER ENGINEERING SERVICES 1998 SUBJECT: KINGSMILL BRIDGE 16 SEPTEMBER DATE Introduction The County of Elgin will be rebuilding County Road #35 (Springwater Road) in 1999 and 2000 as part of that road reconstruction the Kingsmill Bridge will be widened to handle the increased traffic. 1947. The bridge has a width of 8.8m Discussion/ Conclusion The Kingsmill Bridge is a rigid frame structure built in which does not meet modern standards. The consultant will provide: I. Design of widening structure II. Design of new wing walls. III. Deck overlay. IV. Barrier walls. V. All removals. VI. Estimate for above work, All work will be provided in written and electronic formats for the County of Elgin to tender, inspect and administer the contract. the Roads be accepted and $14,600.00 be drawn from Recommendation That Spriet and Associates tender Reserve. M CDO D COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR/CLERK 4 RESPECTFULL Y SUBMITTED @JwdØ/r7 CLAYTON D. WATTERS, MANAGER ENGINEERING SERVICES COUNTY OF ELGIN DESIGN OF KINGSMILL BRIDGE WIDENING 1998 COMPANY QUOTED PRICE 1. A. M. SPRIET $14,600.00 2. TOTTEN, SIMS, HUBICKI ASSOCIATES $15,700.00 3. DILLON CONSULTING $16,100.00 5 10 SEPTEMBER REPORT TO COUNTY COUNCIL FROM: CLAYTON WATTERS, MANAGER ENGINEERING SERVICES 1998 TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF HIGHWAY 401 OVERPASS COUNTY ROAD #119 (MILL ROAD) BY THE MINISTRY OF TRANSPORTATION OCTOBER 8 SUBJECT: DATE Introduction The Highway 401 "fly-over" structure on County Road #119 (Mill Road) is the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Transportation (MTO Site 5-2). This bridge has been scheduled for rehabilitation in the 1999 construction season as part of their Highway 401 rehabilitation project. The MTO has asked the County for permission to temporarily close the structure and maintain a detour route for approximately four (4) weeks. Discussion During typical rehabilitations, the Engineering Services department attempts to always keep one lane open on structures and not detour traffic. By maintaining one lane on a bridge during rehabilitation: traffic delay is minimized, detour routes do not have to be maintained, emergency services are not involved and bus routes or farm equipment does not have to be re-routed. "Staging" the rehabilitation (or working on one lane at a time) does have a price Under County contracts staging usually adds approximately $25,000 and extends the construction period by 50%, Some rehabilitation methods that include: a new bridge deck, concrete overlay, or bearing replacement are not easily staged and add significant cost to the operation. In 1995, when the County rehabilitated Orwell and Knot's Mill bridges with concrete overlays we elected to close the structure and detour traffic to save on staging costs and achieve more desirable results (such as eliminating a longitudinal construction joint in the deck). The MTO is proposing to rehabilitate the Mill Road bridge with a concrete overlay. They are requesting permission from the County to close the structure and maintain an eight (8) kilometer detour using: Third Line (County Road 18), Union Road (County Road 20) and Fourth Line. This detour route adds 6.8 kilometers to the traveling public. Their estimates show a cost savings of over $50,000 and working days reduced from 32 to 20 when closing the structure as compared to staging the construction. 2 6 Page 2. REPORT TO COUNTY COUNCIL FROM: CLAYTON WATTERS, MANAGER ENGINEERING SERVICES DATE: OCTOBER 8,1998 SUBJECT: TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF HIGHWAY 401 OVERPASS COUNTY ROAD #119 (MILL ROAD) BY THE MINISTRY OF TRANSPORTATION Conclusion The Ministry of Transportation is requesting to close the bridge on Mill Road (County Road #119). The closure would inconvenience the traveling public for a period of approximately 4 weeks but tax payers would also save over an estimated $50,000 when compared to staging the rehabilitation. The detour route will add 6.8 kilometers to motorists who do not wish to use alternate routes. Under similar circumstances the County would also close the structure when considering the cost savings, reduction in working days, more favorable construction results and a traffic count of only 400 AAD.T. on County Road #119. A good working relationship with the Ministry of Transportation should provide benefits to the County of Elgin and local municipalities. These benefits are the excess materials (recycled asphalt products) that we could use on our gravel roads. Recommendation That County Council approve the request made by the Ministry of Transportation to close the Highway 401 "fly-over" structure on County Road #119 (Mill Road) in the 1999 construction season for approximately 4 weeks. OR SUBMISSION MAR ALD COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR/CLERK 7 /pmd CLAYTON D. WATTERS, MANAGER ENGINEERING SERVICES REPORT TO COUNTY COUNCIL FROM: CLAYTON WATTERS, MANAGER ENGINEERING SERVICES 1998 CONDITION OF RUMBLE BUMPS ON COUNTY ROADS OCTOBER 8 SUBJECT: DATE: Introduction Rumble Strips have been placed on most County / County Road intersections that are paved over the last few years. Typically a stop approach will contain six (6) Rumble Strips that cover most of the driving lane and are 2.5 metres long. The first Strip is placed at 325 metres from the Stop sign (or 40 metres in front of the Stop Ahead sign). The six strips are then placed 30 metres apart. This is the layout configuration that the County of Elgin has determined to be the most effective and other municipalities may vary their design slightly. If new asphalt is placed at the location then the Rumble Strips are placed in conjunction with the paving operation. That is to say that forms are placed on the freshly placed Hot-Mix asphalt which is still soft enough to allow an impression to be rolled into it. If an intersection is not scheduled for paving in the near future the Rumble Strips have been installed by means of milling grooves into the existing asphalt surface. by these impressions tend to be flattened out As asphalt is a relatively soft cementous material vehicles over time. Discussion Testing and comparing rumble strips and installation methods to determine effectiveness is a difficult task. It may be assumed that a decibel meter could be used to measure audible response from a vehicle traveling over these strips Firstly, a decibel meter was used inside a traveling vehicle to measure audible response at numerous locations. All controllable parameters where kept consistent (Le. vehicle, speed, weather) and tests proved to be inconclusive. Simple roadway travel at 80km/h would generate an 80 to 90 decibel reading depending on wind speed and the condition of the asphalt surface All rumble strips measured a 1 to 2 decibel reading increase. A typical crack in the pavement would also measure a decibel increase of 2. Secondly, the decibel meter was used at the edge of the road measuring vehicles traveling over the Rumble Strips. Again all controllable parameters where kept consistent (Le. location from road, which rumble strip, facing direction) and te$ts proved to be inconclusive. Readings would be determined from many other factors and not the Rumble Strip itself (Le. size and type of vehicle, loudness of vehicle, tire size, wind speed, vehicle speed). Numbers were all over the board. 8 Page 2 REPORT TO COUNTY COUNCIL FROM: CLAYTON WATTERS, MANAGER ENGINEERING SERVICES DATE: OCTOBER 8, 1998 SUBJECT: CONDITION OF RUMBLE BUMPS ON COUNTY ROADS Visual inspection of all Rumble Strips did show similarities. As previously mentioned asphalt is a flexible cementous material. A typical three (3) year old Rumble Strip on an Elgin County road will have more than two million (2,000,000) vehicles travel over it. It is inevitable for these strips to flatten out and become less noticeable to motorists over time. This wear is most prevalent in the wheel tracks. Conclusion Asphalt Rumble Strips do wear over time and their effectiveness is reduced. Every Rumble Strip location has a unique traffic volume and type, therefore each location will wear differently. An annual maintenance program should be initiated to determine if particular Rumble Strips should be re-milled. Recommendation That the Engineering Services department initiate an annual inspection program to re-mil Rumble Strips that have been flattened out from vehicular traffic and report back at budget review. OR SUBMISSION MARK MCDONALD COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR/CLERK 9 RESPECTFULL Y SUBMITTED ~JC\ ~ CCAYTON D. WATTERS, MANAGER ENGINEERING SERVICES /pmd REPORT TO COUNTY COUNCIL FROM: CLAYTON WATTERS, MANAGER ENGINEERING SERVICES 1998 SUBJECT: ROWE ENERGY CORPORATION 17 SEPTEMBER DATE Introduction The Rowe Energy Corporation is installing natural gas lines and to facilitate this will have to cross County Road #5 at Concessions 3 and 4 north for 100 meters on the east side of the road. Discussion/ Conclusion n the past the County has entered into a Franchise Agreement for the purposes of constructing, using and operating a line or lines and works for the collection and distribution of natural gas within the County of Elgin. Recommendation That the Warden and Administrator/Clerk be authorized to sign a Franchise Agreement with Rowe Energy Corporation for the installation of natural Gas lines on County Road #5 at Concessions 3 and 4 north for 100 meters on the east side of the road. MAR ALD COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR/CLERK 10 RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED M~r~ CLAYTON D. WATTERS, MANAGER ENGINEERING SERVICES ELGIN COUNTY COUNCIL to REPORT 1998 for November 10, Homes Report # 1 Marilyn Fleck, Acting Director of Homes FROM the Hornes 998 Surplus Equiprnent frorn October 30, DATE: SUBJECT: year to dispose of surplus equipment, and lucrative as we would have anticipated, useful in the Homes operation ntroduction As there has not been an auction this our prior experience has not been as we have some single beds that are no longer Discussion/Conclusion We have 23 single beds that have been replaced over the years with head/foot gatch, electric beds. These beds consist of a head/foot board and spring/pan deck. In some instances, there are mattresses for the beds that cannot be used (i.e. wear on the mattress cover) There are various organizations within our community that have need of such furnishings for families who are in need. We feel that by providing these beds to such organizations, this would benefit members of our community. Recommendation That the Acting Director of Homes be authorized to contact charitable organizations to determine whether there is interest in securing the 23 beds from the Homes inventory of equipment, and further, that she be directed to provide the beds to those interested organizations at her discretion Respectfully submitted: Mark G. McDonald County Administrator/Clerk 11 Marilyn D. Fleck Acting Director of Homes L ELGIN COUNTY COUNC to REPORT 1998 Homes Report #2 for November 10, Hornes Marilyn Fleck, Acting Director of FROM: 998 Purchase of Nursing Equipment 1 October 30, DATE: SUBJECT: the Directors of Nursing lifting devices for Elgin round In the development of the nursing budgets for 1998, planned on the purchase of additional mechanical Manor and Terrace Lodge. Back, Discussion/Conclusion Currently, all three Homes have mechanical lifts available that utilize a sling to lift residents safely. As well, the lifting devices provide a safe work environment for the staff caring for the residents. We have had demonstrations and trial periods of lifting devices that are a passive lift. These lifts provide a secure device to allow residents to stand and allow staff to attend to their needs. Quotations have been received as follows: Supplier Quotation Arjo Canada Limited $ 5.711. plus GST The Stevens Company $ 3,900. plus GST Futurerned Health Care Products Inc. $ 3,850. plus GST 12 "continued The recommendation brought forward by the nursing department was that the lifting device from Arjo Canada is the preferred equipment, and that it does compliment our existing equipment. for Elgin County Council Homes Report #2 Recomrnendation THAT the quotation from Arjo Canada be accepted for the supply of two Sara 2000 Lifts for Elgin Manor and Terrace Lodge. Approved for submission: Mark G. cuonald County Administrator/Clerk 13 Respectfully submitted: Homes :ðhffi Marilyn D. Fleck Acting Director 0 f REPORT TO ELGIN COUNTY COUNCIL FROM: Homes for Senior Citizens Department DATE: September 17, 1998 SUBJECT: Occupancy Report - Report # 1 Introduction/Backl!round: The previous report indicated occupancy levels as follows: Elgin Manor - 2,462 days -90% Terrace Lodge- 2,866 days -97% Bobier Villa - 1,705 days -100% Discussion: Elgin Manor continues to experience variances in occupancy, and it is noted that the preference of more up to date facilities is the detennining factor. Conclusion: The report on occupancy for August 1998 is submitted: Elgin Manor - 2,496 days - 91% occupancy Terrace Lodge- 2,874days - 97% occupancy Bobier Villa - 1,756 days - 100% occupancy Recommendation: THAT the occupancy report be received and filed. Respectfully submitted: ~LøJ :;)hJv M. D. Fleck, Assistant Administrator Approved for submission: M-j£) County Administrator/Clerk 14 County of Elgin Section 4 Personnel Policy Manual Subject: SalarylWage Administration Policy Number: 4.90 Code - NU Date Approved: March 26/96 Page 1 of 8 Date Last Revision: Pay Eauitv Plans and Sala Grids The County of Elgin Subscribes to the principle of "equal pay for work of equal value" and proportional pay equity. Accordingly, the County has posted pay equity plans which meet the requirements of the Pay Equity Act. The County also believes that all employees should be treated fairly and consistently with regards to salary administration and has developed êomprehensive salary grids to meet this objective. Job Descriptions As pay equity and salary grids are based on pay for the position, each job in the County must be thoroughly outlined and delineated in a job description. An employee who feels that his/her job has changed to such an extent that the current description no longer accurately reflects the true duties, can request that a new description be written. When a new position is created a new job description shall be written, in conjunction with the Department Head and Personnel Administrator. All descriptions will be reviewed and if necessary rewritten at least once in evelY three (3) year period with Employee and Supervisor. The Job Evaluation Svstem An internal job evaluation system was used to establish the comparisons on which the pay equity plans and the salary grids are based. The system measures the skill, effort, responsibility and working conditions of each job (Appendix A - attached). The Job Evaluation Committee will consist of the following: The Warden and/or the County Administrator/Clerk, the Personnel Administrator and the appropriate Department Head 15, County of Elgin Section 4 Personnel Policy Manual Subject: Salary/Wage Administration Policy Number: 4.90 Code - NU Date Approved: March 26/96 Page 2 of 8 Date Last Revision: New Jobs and Job Reclassifications When a new position is created the Job Evaluation Committee shall assess the level of the new position in relation to other positions evaluated by utilizing the County's job evaluation system. [Delete: and will present the results to the Corporate Services Committee for approval.] Such new positions will be reviewed in six (6) months' time. When a job is reclassified by the County or the duties of a current position change significantly, the incumbent(s), supervisor or Department Head may request that the duties of the position be assessed utilising the County's job evaluation system as follows: a) The employee(s) affected will complete an amended job information questionnaire, demonstrating the changes only, sending a copy to the Personnel Administrator and give the original to théir supervisor or Department Head for review. b) The supervisor and/or Department Head will review the questionnaire to ensure that it accurately reflects the duties of the position. If there are any discrepancies, the supervisor and the employee will meet and appropriately modify the responses to the questionnaire. The questionnaire will then be signed off by the employee, supervisor and/or Department Head and forwarded to the Personnel Administrator. c) If the employee(s), supervisor and/or Department Head are in disagreement, they shall note these areas on the questionnaire, providing written explanation supporting their views, sign and forward it to the Personnel Administrator. 16 County of Elgin Section 4 Personnel Policy Manual Subject: SalarylWage Administration Policy Number: 4.90 Code - NU Date Approved: March 26/96 Page 3 of 8 Date Last Revision: d) The Personnel Administrator shall direct the questionnaire to the Job Evaluation Committee for their review. If, in the Committee's opinion, a reclassification is warranted they shall recommend same to the Management Team and will communicate such to the employee and County Council. [Delete: the Manaaement Committee, who in turn shall present the results to the Corporate Services Committee for their approval.l If in the opinion of the Job Evaluation Committee a reclassification is not warranted, the committee shall notify the employee. e) If the employee is dissatisfied with the response of the Job Evaluation Committee, they will follow policy 10.120. NOTE: Such evaluations will be performed in May and November of each year with responses in writing within ninety (90) days. The employee whose position is reclassified to a higher level shall be moved to a step, providing a minimum of 4% increase, but in no case beyond the job rate for the position, in the new level which reflects a degree of proficiency with the added responsibilities as assessed by the Department Head, County Administrator/Clerk, and Personnel Administrator. The increase resulting from the reclassification shall be effective on the start day of the pay period closest to the reclassification date or such date that is agreed upon. [Delete: on the date the reclassification is approved or such other date as may be directed by the Corporate Services Committee.] The effective date of the increase will become the new salary review date 17 County of Elgin Section 4 Personnel Policy Manual Subject: SalarylWage Administration Policy Number: 4.90 Code - NU Date Approved: March 26/96 Page 4 of 8 Date Last Revision: The salary of an employee whose position is reclassified to a lower grade and remains the same position shall be red-circled. Any position affected by red-circling will remain at the current rate until the employee leaves the job or the salary range catches up to the incumbents rate of pay through wage or cost of living increases, as determined by the Job Evaluation Committee. NOTE: Where adjustments are required they will be effective in the first pay period following the designated time period. When duties of an existing position change over a period of time sufficiently to warrant a reclassification, the position is excluded from being posted, as per Personnel Policy 3.20, as the position is currently filled. SALARY RANGES Hirina Ranaes Employees should be hired at the base rate in the range for the job they fill, unless recommended by the Department Head, County Administrator/Clerk and Personnel Administrator, based on previous salary, experience, education or other factors that make that rate uncompetitive. Students will be paid as per the Employment Standards Act. 18 County of Elgin Section 4 Personnel Policy Manual Subject: SalarylWage Administration Policy Number: 4.90 Code - NU Date Approved: March 26/96 Page 5 of 8 Date Last Revision: Information All employees should be advised of when hired, the level and step for their job, the probationary and salary review dates, and all salary administration procedures that pertain to them. SALARY REVIEWS Salarv Review Dates The regular salary review date for new employees shall be one (1) year following the date of hire. The regular salary review date for employees on staff on the date of implementation of the salary plan, shall be their existing anniversary date. The date of a subsequent promotion, obsolete position determination/redundancy [Delete: demotionl or transfer shall supersede the established anniversary date as a salary review date. Regular part-time employees will accrue service towards their salary review date on the basis of hours worked. Amount and Relationship to Performance a) Employees eligible, on the basis of service, for an increase to the next higher step in their range will, if merited as demonstrated in the employee's performance appraisal and recommended by the Department Head and approved by the Personnel Administrator, receive that increase effective the beginning of the next pay period following their salary review date. b) In special cases, where the supervisor deems appropriate to reward particularly meritorious performance he/she may recommend an increase of two (2) steps on the review date or recommend and increase to the next higher step before the review date 19 County of Elgin Section 4 Personnel Policy Manual Subject: SalarylWage Administration Policy Number: 4.90 Code - NU Date Approved: March 26/96 Page 6 of 8 Date Last Revision: c) Where performance has been wel below standard the Department Head may recommend deferring any increase for a specific period of time (not less than three (3) months). At the end of the deferred period the performance must be reviewed again and a decision made regarding the increase recommendation (i.e. submit or defer again). Where salary adjustments have been deferred, the date of future reviews and salary adjustments will be adjusted accordingly. d) Recommendations under b) and c) above, must be fully and thoroughly documented and submitted to the Department Head, County Administrator/Clerk, and Personnel Administrator before their review date. This group will review such proposals and decide as to the appropriate action to take. [Delete: submit them to the Corporate Services Committee with their own recommendation.l Promotions a) Employees promoted to a different position, which is evaluated higher than their present job, shall move to a step in the new level providing a minimum increase of 4%, but in no case beyond the job rate for the position. Such increase is to be determined by the Department Head, County Administrator/Clerk and Personnel Administrator. b) The increase shall be effective on the date of promotion and subsequent increases shal be based on the new salary review date as determined above. 20 County of Elgin Section 4 Personnel Policy Manual Subject: SalarylWage Administration Policy Number: 4.90 Code - NU Date Approved: March 26/96 Page 7 of 8 Date Last Revision: fDemotionsl Obsolete/Redundant Positions On the recommendation of the Department Head, County Administrator/Clerk and Personnel Administrator, positions found to have become redundant or obsolete and that do not remain the same position shall be reviewed. Any redundant or obsolete positions will be subject to the New Jobs and Job Reclassifications section of this policy. NOTE: [Delete: Where adiustments are reauired thev will be effective in the first pav period followinq the desianated time period.l Recommendations regarding established wage rates of pay per above will be effective in the first pay period following the designated time period. All affected employees will be notified in writing of any amendments resulting to the current position they hold with the County. Transfers The transfer of an employee to a position with the same classification as the present job may, if approved by the Department Head, County Administrator/Clerk, and Personnel Administrator, be treated as a promotional increase. Should an increase be granted, the date of transfer will become the new salary review date. Should no increase be granted the employee will retain the current salary review date. 21 County of Elgin Section 4 Personnel Policy Manual Subject: Salary/Wage Administration Policy Number: 4.90 Code - NU Date Approved: March 26/96 Page 8 of 8 Date Last Revision: Contract Emplovees Contract employees will be reviewed and will receive salary increases according to the terms of their contract. Annual Structure Increase Each year the Management Team [Delete: Corporate Services Committeel may recommend to Council an adjustment to reflect changes in comparable salaries, economic conditions, and other factors. This adjustment will be applied to all rates in the salary structure 22 REPORT TO COUNTY COUNCIL Linda Veger FROM 1998 October 29 Date Museum Report SUBJECT: ntroduction/Discussion The Elgin County Pioneer Museum and the Elgin Military Museum are currently discussing ways of enhancing the operation of both museums. The two Executive Committees are considering sharing of staff resources, workshop areas and equipment. The Military Museum has been very generous in sharing the use of its digital camera. We are now able to load pictures of our artifacts into a data base and onto our website. The committees of the two Museums have decided, on a trial basis, to use the entrance at the Military Museum as the main entrance to both Museums. The door connecting the two museums will be left open allowing good visibility to the person manning the entrance. The Military Museum has a ramp and also a washroom accessible to the persons with disabilities. September 90 89 126 (On the Road Programs) 1 306 2.340 571 are: The Museum statistics for the month of House Visitors Non-paying Guests Off site Participants Research Request Total for the Month Total to date for 1998 Total volunteer hours 1998 The Museum has a new display entitled World War I: Elgin on the Homefront. On November 11, 1998 from 1 :00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., the Museum will proudly display the only Victoria Cross awarded to an Elgin County resident. The med was generously donated to the Museum by the Sifton family in Wallacetown al Conclusion nformation Presented for your Mark G. McDonald Administrator/Clerk 23 asurer ~v~~r~~~ N~r N~~ NOr~~ ~~ ~ ~roo~~ rr roro~ ooe N r~N N ~ re~~roW æ ~~~ ~N~ ~ w~~ w ~ " ~m~w~c~~ wrom ro~r ~.Or~N CO ~ ~~mCr ~N~ ~NO ~ WØO N rN Nr roN~ r N ~ ~ o~m~oooro roOM NN~ NOOØO 00 0 r rW. 0 ~~ø , , , , ~ " NW~MroOOM mv~ mom ~ccmw 00 , ~roro~ ~ ~~~ M M "~~ ~ ~~~~~OO~ ~~~ ~'~ ;o~~~ co ~ "N co ,M~ ,N ~ ~ ~~~ø~OO~ ~g~ ~~~ go~~g OM ~ ,C\lrt') ro MM~ ,ro ~ wo~ro,oom mw~ ~~o ~ovo, we , m,ororo ~ m~~ o~w ro ~M~ ~ MWN~ ~ WM~ N N Nt') ~ ~Mv,OOON oww COve ,ovvm 00 ~ ,~OroN ~ row v , N ,rvW 0 '" v NN~ ~ V~~~'O'M «I.m wrov ~mwww we ~ MW NW W WroM M v m,MroM, ro WW W M ~row N N N,N~ m " ~ V vOOvvOON VOV ,~ø vo,~o NO * m~NM~ m mN. 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I{) r rO 0'" eo 00 I{) r 00 0'" NrN I{) '" "'''' N," r"'eo "'r N '" r N 0 001{) "'00 '" 0 000 000 r'" r eo 00.... ....r'" r '" r " o :J ..... I/J Q) '" ~ E 0 L"::I CI) tQ c: ~ 0 E I.. (t CIJ IV :9EIVg>-g5g -J<C::::=I...Q)°ro c. c c: a.. :tP- "C - (i CO..... <C ..... c Eo 0 0 0 Q.I _...J...JL.EL...¡j ¡¡::a.a.~e~<c e::::J::::JEOIE'- .~ee:Je:Jg ~øC>Za..Zr- ..J « f- o f- " ~ - .3 ~ o " ;; ro ~ ~ " ;> 'Qj ¡¡: OJ ~ .~ Q. (fJ ~ " 'C 'C " .<: (fJ '" " ~ 'C o a: '" " " 2 (fJ 1:: o a. 'Qj ~ " CD 1:: o a. ~ o i' " o ~ ~ o E 'Qj CD E ro .<: '" ro CD - " E >, « il 51 «' a: w I f- o 1998 NOVEMBER 10TH COUNCIL CORRESPONDENCE- Items for Consideration Mr. A. Scott Carson, Chief Executive Officer, Privatization Secretariat Office- Ontario, regarding the review by their Office of the Ontario Clean Water Agency and the government's role in operating municipally owned water and sewage treatment systems. (ATTACHED) 1 R.A. Fowler, Secretary, Ontario Property and Environmental Rights Alliance, requesting Council's support of a resolution regarding Schedule 1, Proposed Bill B-25, Red Tape Reduction Act (1998) and the impact the revisions proposed by the Ministry of Natural Resources will have on agriculture, forestry and cost to municipal governments. (ATTACHED) 2 Reeve and Council of the Township of Hagerman, requesting Council's support of their resolution requesting the Provincial Government to reinstate the "Cottage Pollution Control Program" to help protect fish and wildlife. (ATTACHED) 3 Township of West Nissouri, with a resolution petitioning the Provincial Government to ensure that School Boards are not forced to close rural schools. (ATTACHED) 4 Garfield Dunlop, Warden, County of Simcoe, asking for Council's support of their correspondence and report concerning Online Property Tax Analysis. (ATTACHED) 5. Wm. Bouma, Clerk-Administrator, County of Hastings, with a resolution objecting to the proposed bank mergers. (ATTACHED) 6. Murray Langdon, Warden, County of Wellington, requesting Council's support of the resolution from Grey-Owen Sound, requesting that the issue of land ambulance services being transferred to municipalities be "revisited". (ATTACHED) 26 7 ® Ontario . .---....,...,., ~Œ~awŒ® Secrétariat à la privatisation Bureau du directeur général Privatization Secretariat Office of the Chief Executive Officer 175, rue Bloor est Bureau 400, tour nord Toronto ON M4W 3R8 175 Bloor Street EaS1 Suite 400, North Tower Toronto ON M4W 3R8 (416) 325·4735 (416) 325-4576 Tél, Téléc Tel (416) 325-4735 Fax (416) 325-4576 1998 CUUfiffi' Of ELGiI\l ÇlI OS OffíC£ 16 OCT October 8, 1998 Dear Municipal Clerk: As you know, the Office of Privatization is conducting a business review of the Ontario Clean Water Agency (OCW A) to determine the government's role in operating municipally owned water and sewage treatment systems. The review of OCW A is a part of the government's commitment to review the businesses it operates to improve service and value to taxpayers. As you know, the'delivery of water and sewage services is amunicipal responsibility. Some municipalities manage and operate their own water distribution and sewage treatment facilities, while others' choose to' tender and contract this responsibility out to third-party suppliers. OCW A and private sector. companies compete for these contracts. An important part of the Ontario Privatization Review Framework is to seek input from stakeholders on the options under consideration by the Office of Privatization to ensure all possibilities are thoroughly explored and considered. listed below along with a definition under consideration are The options for OCW A currently and brief example for each: "Retain and Improve" - reorganize and improve while the provincial government retains the risks and benefits associated with owning OCW A. This approach could include changes that would afford OCW A greater autonomy allowing it to respond better to market conditions. >- "Partnership or Joint Venture" - government retains OCW A while sharing risks and benefits of its operation with a third-party partner. Partnerships or agreements would have to be structured to ensure OCW A's business objectives were achieved. >- "Minority Interest", - government retains a minority interest in OCW A, thereby sharing the risks and benefits of its operation. The government could divest part of OCW A to a third party or the public. >- and improves the business within is vested with a not-for-profit body. "Not for Profit" - private sector operates, finances, prescribed public interest provisions while ownership >- ./2 27 2 "Equity Divestiture" - all risks and benefits transfer at full and fair value to a third party with operating requirements in place to protect the public interest. This approach could involve: >- sale to a private company, sale to the management and/or employees of OCW A, sale to the public, or some combination of the above. (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) Ministry of the Environment would maintain options, the It is important to stress that, under all regulatory authority and control. We would welcome Council's comments on the various options and would appreciate hearing from you by November 16, 1998. If you require further information, please call our office at (416) 325-4550, toll-free at 1-888-224-2444, or visit our web site at www.gov.on.ca/privatiz. 28 A. Scott Carson Chief Executive Officer o ® Ontari News Release Communiqué FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 9, 1998 Bureau de la privatisation Queen's Park Toronto ON M4W 3R8 Office of Privatization, Queen's Park Toronto ON M4W 3R8 GOVERNMENT'S ROLE IN OPERATION OF WATER AND SEWAGE TREATMENT SYSTEMS TO BE REVIEWED TORONTO - Rob Sampson, Minister without Portfolio with Responsibility for Privatization, and Norm Sterling, Minister of Environment, today announced the referral of the Ontario Clean Water Agency (OCWA) to the Office of Privatization to review the provincial government's role in operating municipally owned water and sewage treatment systems. "Our government made a commitment to review its business operations to explore options to improve service and value to taxpayers," said Mr. Sampson. "We must look at whether or not the province needs to be in the business of running water and sewage treath1èntfacilitiès for municipalities when there are private sector companies and municipal employees currently providing these services." Mr. Sterling said: "Throughout the review, it will be businèSS as usual for all OCWA operated facilities. Water quality will continue to be a top priority. All water and sewage treatment facilities, regardless of who operates them, are subject to tough provincial standards for drinking water and sewage effluent." "The process for review will explore all options, be open and fair, and will ensure the public interest in all parts of Ontario is addressed," said Mr. Sampson. Plans to secure expert advice and to implement a full and thorough public cons,ultation process will begin immediately. Both Ministers expect the OCWA management and employees will be active participants in the review. OCWA is a provincial government agency which competes with the private sector for contracts to operate and manage municipally òwned water and sewage treatment systems in Ontario. OCWA operates and maintains about 123 municipal water treatment facilities and 234 municipal sewage treatment facilities. Private sector companies service over one half million Ontario residents by operating about 15 municipal water treatment facilities and 11 sewage treatment facilities. All other municipal water and sewage treatment facilities are operated by municipal employees (see attached Fact Sheet). 30 For information on the Ontario Privatization Review Framework, please contact the Office of Privatization at 1-888-224-2444, in Toronto 416-325-4550; or visit our website at <www.gov.on.ca/privatiz> Tobin Lambie, Communications Assistant Ministry of Environment, Minister's Office (416) 314-6739 29 Contacts: Deborah Reid, Communications Advisor Office of Privatization, Minister's Office (416) 325-6153 ® Ontario Bureau de la privatisatlon Queen's Park Toronto, ON M4W 3R8 Office of Privatization M4W 3R8 Queen's Park Toronto, ON FACT SHEET The Ontario Clean Water Agency Mandate The Ontario Clean Water Agency (OCWA) is a provincial government agency which operates and maintains municipally owned water and sewage treatment facilities on behalf of some Ontario municipalities. · OCWA has service contracts to operate and manage about 357 facilities for over 200 municipalities. The treatment facilities range in size from small wastewater lagoons and pumping stations to urban water delivery systems. · When OCWA was created in 1993 under the Capital Investment Plan Act, it filled the multiple roles of owner, operator and financier of water and sewage services to some Ontario municipalities. · OCWA's ownership role was eliminated with the passage of Bill 107 in May, 1997, which provides for the ownership transfer of OCWA's facilities to municipalities. The legislation protects public ownership of water and sewage infrastructure by requiring municipalities to re-pay past capital grants to the province before they could sell these assets to the private sector. · OCWA's role as financier has also been eliminated as OCWA no longer provides loans to municipalities for capital infrastructure. OCWA does, however, manage an existing portfolio of past loans to municipalities. · OCWA's head office is located at OCWA has 760 full-time employees across the province. 20 Bay Street, 7th Floor, Toronto, Ontario. · ./2 Environmental Standards The Ministry of Environment requires that all operators -- public or private -- of water and wastewater systems comply with Ontario's tough environmental and health standards contained in the Ontario Water Resources Act, Environmental Protection Act, Ontario Drinking Water Objectives and Provincial Water Quality Objectives. !to · ! 2 [1 OntariQ Eight million Ontario residents have their drinking water supplied from a water treatment facility. The remaining two and a half million people get their water from municipal or private wells. Wgler Dlstributio~and . The services. About nine and a half million Ontario residents have sewage treatment remaining one million people are serviced by private septic systems. . Sewage treatment facilities Water treatment facilities Operator 234 123 Ontario Clean Water Agency 209 519 Municipalìtìes 11 454 15 657 Private Companies TOTAL Private sector operators OCWA Municipalities Province Role No No No No Yes Yes No' Yes'* Ownership Financing capital improvements Yes Yes Yes Yes (through OCW A) Operation and maintenance with 107, municipalìties , ownership of facilìties is being transferred to mUnIcIpalities under provisions of Bill The Municipal Water and Sewage Transfer Act. 1997 (Royal Assent, May 1997). " a $200 million Provincial Water Protection Fund was established in 1997 to assist environmental and health related water and sewage treatment problems. j 3 1998 March 01 PAGE OPERA 3592992 09:25 10/19/1998 ·~.(OPRR") Phone: (519) 369,2195 I Fax: (51:9) 369-2992 I Web Page; http://www.bolts.com/-opern Q!'i'IAflli)J'IWPJ<RJ:: )urham, Ontario, NOG IRQ I E-Maii: opera@bmtç.com Post Office Dox 483, EðX.C.Q.YEIL"JHF.ET -- ~~ 19,1998 MONDAY,OCTOB,ER DAIF..:. MUNICIpAL COUNCILS IN ONT AIUO J!R.OMt 1tA.1<'OWLER, SECRETARY ....~ -. .... -- RE:SCHF,QPUt I. PROPOIŒn BIJ.L: I.ili 3 :OVF.R SHEEI:. E.B.E1illCnON ACT (19:9.8) Council is r~'1uestcd to carefully'cxamine Schedule I ofBiU 25 and the nttachc'<l Resolutíun ofa rural IOWJ]$bip in Vlhich repeal of that Schedule is rec()mmended, We urge Council 10 adopt a similar Rc,solution and fax same to each MPP Ih'1:cd in an Overview of this issue, also attached. Under Schedule I the Ontario MÎnL~try of Natura! Rcsources proposes to revise a number of c:xisting Ac~ 10 '<:!ttend <,cntral power and control over use ofpriva!ely owned land, and perhaps I<,eal public lands as well, These revisions will impact agriculture amI forestry, empand cost,~ of municipal government, dìnÜni$b environmental co-operation and 'inacaso raTher than reduce bureaucratic red tape. Arncodments to three of The several AC1s coveré<l by Schedulc r 4dd new provisjpns fhr entry and searcb Q!L D'iY!W:..l1tQ>1<:11y witJlOlIt the knnwle.dgc or con""", of o.11iI!m and contain sta,rtlingly broad definitions Jbt· "watcréourse", "wetland and "development". They extcnd regulatory and enforcement 1'0'-5 of Conservation Authorities to entire watersheds, !l!!tjust Ilood plains as originally mandated, and they prtseribe additlo1\al command-and-contwl restrictions lor drainage, land use and planning. t ~bould be,notcd tbat a number of influcntial special imerc>1 !J 'OU]Js were consulted before these swupingamendments were drafted by MNR whiJc Ass<)ciatíons representing the interests of lIIunieípalilks, /lmners, woodlot operaTors and rural stakcllolder., werc !I!.1l afforded that cot1rtesy. On OctQbcr 6th the Ontario Federati<1J1 uf Agricu!ture made a pre'"'lttation., bascd on " 10 page detailed written Briel; to tne Standing Committ~'C on Adrnjni~'1ration of JU5!Ìce Committee and on OctOòc;¡> Sth the CQ\IImiftce heard submissions from Mr. Jan1Ìe Fischer, l'residC'1lt of'thc Halton Federation of Agriculture, and Mr. Bob Woolham, " Director ofthe Á';sociation of Rural PI'Ope!1Y Owners speaking on behalf of the Ontario Prop my and Environmenwl Rights AJJiance. Each l'lfthesc submission5 strenuously ohjected to a number of an\"'1dm,cn~ appearing in Schedule 1 of the proposed Dill 25. Reduction ,ofl'cd tape is a commendable provincial initiative but seeking, in the process, tu incœase and entrench the; powers of central govcrnmeUl over municipalities and property owners without prior c()¡jsul1atiol1 alld without public debate is not. We suggcst the intent of f!iIl25, however hmdable it may be, c0111plc:t\:ly ìgil(1TCS its pervasive, hmg term clfcc't, To till!! extent Ontario citizens are being duped by poorly written legislation rusbed through by unelectcd urban bureaucrats while mwlicípal governments across the. province are preoccupied with restructuring. Ont.1rio and Queen's Park needs to hear rl'<)\II your municipaUty. We hope 111i8 is a crit.ÎL'<\I,issue f(' r rural Coundl wfli agree. 32 'DJanks fOt' your time and attL'1Itlon 132 PAGE OPERA 3592992 139:25 113/19/1998 O'\?RRvrn.W' A!¡ pointed OUt in ,the OF A submission to the Standing, Committee "proposed amendment.~, to the Conservntiijn :AlithorJties Act ate far-reaching and, we beHeve, fundamentally change the Act's fucu8. These amèüdinents should be addtesood io a stal\d-alonestatute". " , " 111.0 OI'A illibtnissiott to the COt1Imiuee a!so e.xaminedthe implications for land use undcrthePlànnlng A~'!. A cnpy oftl/e çOII1plete OF A presentation may be obtaìl1ed by contacting the undermentioned tel¢p)tone,OI' t1,\xuumber(s). We willbeplease¡ho forward a verbatim copy of OPERA's presGIltation to the COinmittee on ~equest to our postal! E,;MàI1 address or tel¢phonelfdx numbGrs noted <:JO. ,the preceding Fax Cover Page and 'also Jlsted'bclow;,' Thi~ møs~ge,w;thai\llcl1J:µcnts has a)¡cady beòn torwa:rdC>d to the Townships of Augusta, BathU1st- ßWgesg,SÏ1èrbtlj()ke, Beckwith, Drummond-North Elmsley, , Edwardsburgh, Elizabe\htown, Fronrenac Islands, North 'ft0ntenac and South Fronttnacas well agto the County of Lanark and the Fron¡enac BGI!rd of Management. It will faxèd to the Councils of òvcr 200 additional Onmrio m\1liicÍpalìties within the ntixt set1/ernJ \lays. \>Iease Fax the' views ofy()Ur Conn,!: 10: im1'()r~t ,naItOI' in thL~ IDIiìITJON (416) 32S-7S78 Premier of Onlario (416) 326'3083 Afflùrs Minister of Agriculture, Food & Rural J)WW¡: ,.,. The HIm. Michael D. Hàrris " The H"",li.¡¿ible A. Villeneuve ¡ja:,¡idH. (416) 326-8S20 ,Minister of Consumer & Commercial Relations Tsubouchi The Ho)!. (416) 585'6470 Affairs Mioisterof MOOÎcípal The'Hon. AI 'l.eaCh (416) 314-2216 Minister of Natural Resources The Hem. Jo!tµ SnobGlen (416) 325-9895 Leader of the Ontario Lìberal party Mr,DaltQIiJ.P.. M¢GIlÍI\ty, MPP (416) 325-8222 LeMa of tile Ontario New DelMCl'atic Party lÏamptO 1:, MPP Ml'.H~Q IilliS. SQIJB£E,.Q: (613) 926;0080 IEU! (613) 926·2305 NAME AssociatIon of Rural Property Owners , (!3ob.Woolham) (416) 485-9027 (SI9) 369-2992 8000Nl"FARM (SI9) 369-219S I hdo!ì'¡¡tiÖXI of Agrkultul'e Ontario Propertyðj:Envi1'onmental Rights Alliance (Bob Fowltr) Ol1tar;l) <'111>).325-3506 (416) 325'3'06 (416) 325-3100 (Collect calls accepted) 33 St.wdíog' GÙI!!rnitt¢(: on Adtnlnlstration of Justice Mr. Jerry L Quellette, MPP (OsÞâV;a)PC -Chàit Mr. Doug!;\SAm0!4 Clerk " , Mr.Pat)1l1el'lY, ,ASsistant to the, Clerk 10/19/1998 09:25 3592992 OPERA PAGE 03 l Municipality of The Township of Augusta ,v.~-- D«le. _u,_ __.....Octobar._...lJ.".19--9S. ~ J ,-, - . . .0. ".",~,~.- "~ , ~ ~r." Wh.I!Ireas municipalities wen ~_g."~!!~~with J;:..~~.R~Ç<~..~9_~QÌl.Ødule J .._.__.h_"'''''' .." ....__~_.....'''~....,_,''___._.."...-,..,~--_...---- ,._"'_.__~~,,~;~ 11,33-.!._ R!2._.:!'~j!.!~~~uct !.~!.L.!oct .-..U.2.~U_L ""----....----.. And wh@:reas Schedule I contain!L-~~!:!4Mnt.C;; ....tQ....,..the ,..../:ollSeJ:.v:a:t:.!,olL ~.,,'. .... ....... .. -".,..,~-~".."...._,.."......-.-._--...---.__-----.-,....- AU. thor i ties Aot fundamenta;L _t~ :\:'b~ 1l!t¡:.Uj;;j;J,l.rl!! and ....,oper.atioI1-...,..of"..,..an,.. .. ......,~. ""'''~__'_'___'r__'''_''''''''~''___''''''__'_''''''''_'''''' .!""t~?~~~_!...~.._c~l!.S!!.s thf!.._tn~~!1Lªn~....9.,,j.¡;:ß,\:tt1.on .pf." the ..existing.....Ac,t.¡,._ ...." And Whereas the ~1!D.95!JL_J.f.M.,~leWU1ted ," ....wilL...hav.ø .",...impor,ta.nt ," ~.,.~......~""'----- ~,o.nøequè..I}.£!..'!J9f_~l;"l.Çu 1 tyr 1BJ\,DJ!_f.9r.S'u>.t:t:YJ!nterpr ises . ' ,BS "wDlL..a.&...tor..- the cos.t..Q.!;.JI\¡.¡n1.cipal,.."c¡,o,v.er.nJnent; ..... 'h''''_''._'''''-''___'''' _ '. ".__..,.,...M"·_··"_·___··· -..... .----.... ?:'herE!f:C):¡:'i!I..);:Ie....j.t..rØSOlJled._that.-thi$.c~mnd.l.. petition. the Miniaters of·· Munic:ipaJ.J\.t't.i!.ir,$.._/lnd..Houping..,and of, ,.consumer. and commercial·Relations ..1;0 d~J_~t~ ,..8.!2Wa.dll.le....! ......in.....pa.r.ticular .,the ðntendll\sntlllto the .ConsfJll'Vat¡..ion..· Au thor i t,iàs....J\iCt",.,...so,:.tha t..-ehangs¡;..may- ,be-addresllled in 'B" etand"'alone'" statue. "--_.~._----~---,.._------"( .... "".._",...,,-,-...-..~--~ -- --,....'.. ....~-- ·,'t)~':..¡,;\CK) cnovltd by' Jane Full~rt.n" -/"'.....nnrl..rl by' G...or-o;/", V;!; i 1 signed by' JOHN MCCRAE, DEPUTV REEVË AND AUGUSYA BOARD MEMBER' SOUTH NATION CONSERVATION AUTHORITY R."II"" , ADRIAN VANSCHIE. tOIl, 613 ge5 4231 "'ð~~ 613 >;>e'_ 3499 A'$S..i~;L.;latic.n ~f Municipalltle9 of On~arlo' RUI'!AL SECTION, t..) , 416 929 7573 fax,: 416 971 98'56 1'1,.- tJD'Ug Raven EKecutìve Director :3f Page 1J1J2 01 82 P. PAGE CLERK-Elgin Co FAX N~ 4169716191 TWP OF HAGERMAN 1 519 633 7661 ASSOCIATION OF?-) 3 PM AMD 1-705-389-1855 EST 11J/23/98 23:23:39 DCT-23-98 FRI 04 18/22/1998 16:49 Ontar~o Municipalities Reeve and council, Township of Hagerman cottage Pollution Control Program TO: FROM: RE: On october 5. 1998 the Township of Hagerman Council passed the following resolution (No. 98-262) requesting that the Provincial GOvernment reinstate the .Cottage Pollution control Program" to help protect fish and wildlife. Council believes that the possible contamination of our recreational lakes and waterways by malfunctioning sewage systems is a concern to all municipalities. Your support will be appreciated. WHEREAS ontario's thousands of beautiful inland lakes rssource for recreational enjoyment: ANn WHEREAS to protect the quality of these waters a delicate environmental balance must be maintained; AND WHEREAS the Ministry of Environment offered a ·cottage Pollution control p~9ram" that offered technical info~ation and training to individuals to undertake a voluntary sewage system reinspection program on selected lakes and evaluate their acceptability against existing Acts and Regulations; AND WHEREAS this reinsþBction program infoPmed owners of malfunctioning systems and their responsibility to bring their systems into compliance ~ith current regulations with re-examination after a reasonable period of time, AND WHEREAS uncontrolled activity and imprudent development near recreational lakes may cause water quality impairment that can affect fish and wildlife: AND WHEREAS cottage Association~ have contributed greatly to public awarenees and education on environmental issues with an emphasis on sewage disposal systems; AND WHEReAS the Hageman Ratepayers Association has just completed the voluntary 'Cottage Pollution program· on six lakes in the Township of Hagerman, with 96% co-operation. which has been very successful in protection our environment for future generations: AND WHEREAS the Ministry of Environment cancelled the 'cottage Pollution Control Program": NOW THEREFORE the council of the Township of Hage~an are supporting the Hagerman Ratepayers Association in urging the provincial Government to take immediate action to reinstate the ·cottage Pollution control program" AND FURTHER that all rural municipalities. local M. P. P.'s and the Minister of Environment be petitioned to support this request. provide an abundant 3~ LOCATION: County of Elgin ATTN: Ms. Sandra Heffren Ms. Linda B. Veger Mr Mark G McDonald TOWNSIDP OF WEST NISSOURI 160 King S1. Crispin Colvin Reeve Thomdale, Ont. Stewart Findlater Clerk-Planner NOM 2PO (519) 461-0750 Fax (5J9) 461-1427 BEING A RESOLUTION PETITIONING THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT TO ENSURE THROUGH PROPER LEVELS OF FUNDIING, THAT SCHOOL BOARDS ARE NOT FORCED TO CLOSE RURAL SCHOOLS WHEREAS the Township of West Nissouri has two elementary schools within its Municipal boundaries; AND WHEREAS most other rural municipalities have schools within their Municipal boundaries; AND WHEREAS many of the newly created mega school boards created by the Provincial Government are publicly stating rural school closures are inevitable due to inadequate funding from the Province; AND WHEREAS rural schools serve as the focal point for many community functions and activities all year round; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Council of the Township of West Nissouri hereby petitions the provincial Government and specifically the Minister of Education to introduce legislation to provide proper funding to school boards to ensure that rural schools are not forced to be closed; AND BE IT l'lJRTHER RESOLVED THAT this resolution be circulated to all Ontario ¡tu.micipaJíties, all Ontario School Boards, Premier Mike Harris, Education Minister Dave Johnson, Minister of Municipal Affairs A1 Leach, Mêmber of provincial Parliament Bruce Smith, and School Board Trustees Jan Hunter, Sh¡lIon Peten and Ann Kave1aars. This is a paid advertisement and its views and comments are not endorsed by AMCTO' 36 (705) 725-1285 Beeton Area: 729-2294 Orillia Area: 326-7397 Fax: (705) 726-9300 Midland Area: 526-2261 Collingwood Area: 428-3143 The Corporation of the County of Simcoe " "' Admmistration Centre Il10 Highway 26 Midhurst, Ontario LOL 1XO Office of the Warden Telephone Extension 226 ~Œ~ŒaWŒf]) NOV 2 NÇß 1998 October 20 To All Counties and Regions and Local Municipalities: Please find attached a copy of correspondence and related report concerning Simcoe County Council's position on the continuance ofthe Online Property Tax Analysis (OPTA) System. On behalf of the County of Simcoe I would ask that you endorse this position and notify the Premier of Ontario and Association of Municipalities of Ontario accordingly. truly, Yours ~ Garfield Warden County of Simcoe 37 Hon. Jim Wilson, M.P.P. Simcoe-West Mr. Bill Grimmett, M.P.P. Muskoka-Georgian Bay Mr. Allan McLean, M.P.P. Simcoe-East Mr. Joe Tascona, M.P.P. Simcoe-Centre Association of Municipalities of Ontario Helen MacRae, Chief Administrative Officer, Henry Sander, Treasurer, County of Simcoe @ Encl c. (705) 726-3991 729-2294 326-7397 Fax: Beeton Area: Orillia Area: 726-9300 Midland Area: 526-2261 Collingwood Area: 428-3143 (705) 'The Corpo t· _ ra IOn of the i't.g..,J County of ~.¡i1' Simcoe Administration Centre Midhurst, Ontario LOL lXO CLERK'S OFFICE Telephone Extension 246 1998 September 29, Hon. Mike Harris Premier of Ontario Room 281, Legislative Building Queen's Park, Toronto, Ontario M7 A 1A 1 Harris: The Council of the County of Simcoe at its meeting on September 22, 1998 considered Report No. 98-048 of the General Services Committee, being a report concerning the County's position on the continuance of the Online Property Tax Analysis (OPT A) system for further taxation years. Premier Dear have attached a copy of Council adopted this report and therefore endorses the report. the report for your information. the County's concerns are addressed would be that to ensure Your assistance appreciated. Sincerely, I . /1.1, " ,.I/, i I, ...)(.u:;'I(..' Lrv.,;J Brenda Clark, Acting Assistant to the Clerk. 38 Association of Municipalities of Ontario Hon. Jim Wilson, M.P.P. Simcoe-West Mr. Bill Grimmett, M.P.P. Muskoka-Georgian Bay Mr. Allan McLean, M.P.P. Simcoe-East Mr. Joe Tascona, M.P.P. Simcoe-Centre Henry Sander, Treasurer, County of Simcoe BC:pk Encl c. The County of Simcoe ------ GENERALSERVICE8CO~E Report No. 98-048 ----- For consideration by County Council ~ on September 22, 1998 In I) That County Council correspond With the Province of Ontario and A.M.a. for the continuance of the Online Property Tax Analysis (OPTA) system for further taxation years. IL GROUND: rne prov:,i.cially ,,;cated OPT A system was used exclusively to support the 1998 Tax and Assessment related recommendation in the County of Simcoe. Although the system was not 100"10 complete the system was all that was prese¡¡t unless the County paid independent consultants to conduct the work. There has been indications coming from the provinciallevél, that the OPT A system use will end at the end September, 1998. As a large number of municipalities have relied on the OPT A system, and especially in view of the industrial banding choice at the County it is imperative for the benefit of both the lower and upper tier that the OPT A system remain in place for future taxation years. FINA~ClAL ANALYSIS: The financial impact to this report is that if OPT A is no longer operational, an alternative to calculate the future year taxation rates will need to be implemented, the cost of which is not known at this point. SCHEDULES: None. RESPECTFULLY 81m,"-11 lED: Chairman Jack Hunter, Vice-Chairman Donald Bell. Larry Keogh, Dan McMillan, Terry O'Brien, Warden Garfield Dunlop u:\wpdalalgcnscrv'<:ouncl'4:gc98048 ..." 39 COUNTY ADMINISTRATION BUILDINGS POSTAL BAG 4400 235 PINNACLE ST. BElLEVILLE - ONTARIO K8N 3A9 , COUNTY OF HASTINGS WM. BOUMA, A.M.C.T. CLERK-ADMINISTRATOR 613-966-1319 Fax: 613-966-2574 ~Œ(;U~VŒ® OCT 14 "WORKING AND GROWING TOGETHER" 1998 cnuNTY Of ELGIN ctl 'S OFfítE . 6 October, 1998 Minister of Finance 140 O'Connor Street 21st Floor, East Tower Ottawa, Ontario K1A OG5 Hon. Paul Martin Att: Mr. Martin: Dear ers In response to information we have received regarding the above subject, the Hastings County Council passed the following resolution at it's September 24th, 1998 County Council Session: re: Proposed Bank Mer, to merge; nterests of local consumers "WHEREAS major banking institutions are proposed AND WHEREAS these mergers are not in the best the County of Hastings or any area of rural Ontario of AND WHEREAS the Finance, Property & Personnel Committee support this special resolution to formally voice the County's objection to these proposed mergers; the NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the County of Hastings write to the Federal Minister of Finance to formally voice objection to the proposed bank mergers and support be requested from other municipalities across Province." 40 It would be appreciated if you would revisit the merit of the proposed mergers; in view of the negative impact these mergers would have on rural municipalities in Ontario. Yours truly, .;Z) ~--=- Wm. Bouma, A.M.C.T. Clerk-Administrator WB:dh cc: Hon. Ernie Eves, Provincial Minister of Finance Gary Fox, MPP - Prince Edward, Lennox, South Hastings Harry Danford, MPP - Hastings-Peterborough Doug Rollins, MPP - Quinte All Ontario Municipalities 41 COUNTY ADMINISTRATION BUilDINGS POSTAL BAG 4400 235 PINNAClE ST. BEllEVillE - ONTARIO K8N 3A9 WM. BOUMA, A.M.C.T. CLERK-ADMINISTRATOR 613-966·13 19 Fax: 613-966'2574 ~Œ©u:a~ŒlID OCT 14 1998 COUNTY OF ELGIN CLERI\'S OffiCI; "WORKING AND GROWING TOGETHER" 5 October, 1998 Minister of Finance 7th Floor, Frost Building South 7 Queen's Park Crescent Toronto, Ontario M7A 1Y7 At!: Hon. Ernie Eves Dear Mr. Eves: ers In response to information we have received regarding the above subject, the Hastings County Council passed the following resolution at it's September 24th, 1998 County Council Session: re: Proposed Bank Mer "WHEREAS major banking Institutions are proposed to merge; interests of local consumers AND WHEREAS these mergers are not in the best of the County of Hastings or any area of rural Ontario AND WHEREAS the Finance, Property & Personnel Committee support this special resolution to formally voice the County's objection to these proposed mergers; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the County of Hastings write to the Federal Minister of Finance to formally voice objection to the proposed bank mergers and support be requested from other municipalities across the Province." 42 It would be appreciated if you would revisit the merit of the proposed mergers; in view of the negative impact these mergers would have on rural municipalities in Ontario. Yours truly, dCJ Wm. Bouma, A.M.C.T. Clerk·Administrator WB:dh cc: Gary Fox, MPP - Prince Edward, Lennox, South Hastings Harry Danford, MPP - Hastings-Peterborough Doug Rollins, MPP - Quinte All Ontario Municipalities 43 OFFICE OF THE WARDEN WELLINGTON COUN1Y ADMINISTRATION CENTRE GUELPH N,H 3T9 (5'9) 837-2800 ~ŒœŒa\1Œ® COUNTY OF WELLINGTON ¡Ç9B COUNTY OF EllUl\! Cl~RK'S OFFICE 2 NOV 1998 Mike Harris October 26, The Honourable Premier Room 281 Main Building Queen's Park Toronto, Ontario M7A 1AI Mr, Premier, 1 have been asked by WeIIington County Council to write to you in support ofMr. Bi Murdoch, MPP for Grey-Owen Sound, and his recent request that the issue of land ambulance be "revisited". My Council is firm in its believe that this very important service should remain the responsibility of the Province - let my explain why, Dear During the period since the announced transfer of services from the Province to the municipalities, the County of WeIIington has endeavoured to ready itself for the administration/operation of its new responsibilties. Social housing, policing, family benefits and child care are all services which can, and will, integrate smoothly into the traditional spheres of municipal government. Ambulance service however, being an integral part ofthe greater health care system, does not lend itself to municipal management and operation. Ambulance service is not - contrary to the suggestion made by some MPPs, and even cabinet Ministers - an "emergency service", which complements fire or police services. In the view ofWeIIington County Council, (and most of our colleagues at the upper-tier level), the proper jurisdiction for ambulance servíce is the Province of Ontario. The efficient management and operation of ambulance service will be compromised should the transfer to municipalities become a reality in 2000. Identifying a few of the unneccessary (added) costs which will emerge should be enough to persuade you and your Cabinet colleagues of the sense in retaining the service at the Provincial level: municipalities will not enjoy "bulk" purchase prices for vehicles; municipalities will incur costs trying to recover costs for service supplied in other municipalities; vehicle insurance costs will be borne by local taxpayers, as municipalities will not self-insure; and, the Province will incur severance costs when buying-out current providers. Clearly, local management comes at a cost to all of us, and there is little guarantee of improved public service. Western Ontario Wardens' Association, I fully support the efforts of and Mr. David Stewart (Warden of Renfrew County and Chair 44 As a member of the Delton Becker (Grey County) Mr, of the Eastern Ontario Wardens' Association) to advocate a favourable resolution to this issue of jurisdiction - one which may involve further negotiations to modify the allocation of services and funding arrangements between the Province and the municipal sector. I wish to thank you for your consideration of this matter; please rest assured that Wellington County Council makes this request with the best interests of all Ontarions at heart. Respectfully yours, -/J1~,-~~ 45 Murray Langdon Warden c. Mr. Ted Arnott Mrs. Brenda Elliott Mr. David Tilson Mr. Bill Murdoch Mr, Delton Becker Mr. David Stewart Counties of Ontario Regions of Ontario ~ ""'- LEGISlATIVE ASSEMBLY BILL MURDOCH, MPP Grey-Owen Sound 1998 The Honourable Mike Harris Premier Room 281 Main Building Queen's Park Toronto, Ontario M7 AlAI October 6, Dear Mike, As follow-up to an issue I raised in Caucus this morning, I am writing to bring to your attention the mounting concern among our municipal counterparts with the transfer of responsibilities for land ambulance. Discussions over the past few months, culminating in my visit to the Association of Counties and Regions (ACRO) Conference in Brantford last night, lead me to believe that the decision to transfer land ambulance services should be revisited. For example: On July 24, 1998 I attended a meeting of the Western Ontario Wardens' Association in Cambridge. The agenda included a brief outlining the concerns and potential problems facing municipalities as a result of the transfer of responsibilities for land ambulance services. The brief was not simply an expression of the member Counties displeasure over assuming responsibility for a new service, rather it contained many logical and well thought out reasons why the service - in the best interest of Ontario taxpayers - should be retained by the province. Concern is centred on issues of accessibility, seamless delivery, expertise, funding and standards. . At the AMO Conference in August, consideration of this issue prompted the fc!!owing met::,n to be adopted by all Western ¡md Eastern Ontario Wardens and Regional Chairs: . "mAT the Perth County delegation use its scheduled meeting with the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing to present the position of the Eastern Ontario and Western Ontario Wardens funding and operating AND that this position is to request the Province to retain all responsibilities for Land Ambulance AND further that this resolution to circulate to all members ofthe Provincial Legislature and to the Regional Chairs for their endorsement." /2 Legislative Office: Rm. 270' Main Legislative Bldg. . Toronto' Ontario M7 A 1 A8 . (416) 325-6242 . Fax (416) 325-6248 Constituency Office: 281 Ninth Street East· Owen Sound' Ontario N4K 1N8. Tel. (519) 371-2421 . Fax (519) 371-0953 36 Toronto Street South . Markdale· Ontario' NOC 1HO' (519) 986·2510' Fax (519) 986-3655 46 ,. 2/. Furthermore, the transfer prompted questions and concerns at the Minister's Forum, various concurrent sessions and was the topic of much discussion in hospitality suites over the course of the three-day conference. On October 5, 1998 while in attendance at the ACRO Conference, I spoke with politicians and administrators ftom across the province. Once again, the transfer of land ambulance was of paramount concern. . In light of the above, I would suggëst our government engage in further consultations with AMO on this issue. Land ambulance is one component of the larger transfer of services under the "Who Does What Exercise" and I recognize that negotiations would have to take place to change the overall realignment. I believe that the municipalities are pr¡;par~d to ~it do-wü s..i,d J.Ï5Cl.ioiS the possibie options. I vv:c.uld certai¡dy hope CUt government is also willing to work with our municipal partners to develop a mutually acceptable solution. I look forward to your response. ere , S· 47 1)f~ 1 1998 COUNCIL QORRESPONDENCE - NOVEMBER 10TH. Carole A. Prest, Counsel to the Tribunal Chair, Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal, regarding a request by Control-Comp Consultants Inc. on behalf of the County of Elgin for consideration of a reconsideration request. (ATTACHED) Consent A Items for Information 1 Roger T. Kennedy, Research and Information Consultant, EMS Consultant, re: advising the County of his consultant services pertaining to the transfer of land ambulance services to the municipality. (ATTACHED) 2 Announces A.M.O. Member Communication 'Alert' re: Ministry of the Environment Expansion of Blue Box Program (ATTACHED) 3 4. N. Roy Main, City Administrator, City of St. Thomas, advising of the City's participation and contribution towards the Land Ambulance Study. (ATTACHED) 5. Jacline Lanthier, Executive Assistant, Office of the Minister of the Environment, confirming receipt of Council's recommendation for a reduction in the level of sUlphur in gasoline. Dino Chiesa, Assistant Deputy Minister, Housing Operations Division, Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, with an update on social housing reform and administration devolution and steps being taken to increase municipal "say for pay' (ATTACHED) 6 Graham P. Brand, Director, Ministry of Health, acknowledging Council's resolution concerning replacement of ambulances and collision insurance (ATTACHED) 7 8. Jack Carroll, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Community and Social Services, regarding the Provincial Task Force on Homelessnes,s. (correspondence ATTACHED - A copy of the Report is available in the Clerk's Department) on Recommendations 9. Ontario News Release Communique, regarding "Ontario to Act of Provincial Task Force on Homelessness". (ATTACHED) The Honourable AI Leach, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, regarding the appointment by Order in Council No. 2093/98 of Mr. Donald H. Page to the Elgin and St. Thomas Housing Authority. 48 10. 2 G.C. Leverton, Secretary-Treasurer, Ex-Wardens' Association, advising that the Association wishes to take no further action in regard to rededication of trees planted at the Court House. 11 12. AMO, MFOA, and AMCTO Municipal Member Communication, regarding assessment and taxation concerns of Ontario's municipal governments (ATTACHED) Peter Gregg, Special Assistant - Ontario, Office of the Minister of Transport, acknowledging Council's support of a public inquiry into the truck collision near Sudbury on August 5th, 1998, and providing an overview of the investigation (ATTACHED) 13. AMO Member Communication ALERT - AMO Pursues Unanswered Questions on Mandatory Capping (ATTACHED) 14. AMCTO EXPRESS - AMCTO Update on the Proposed 10%,5% and 5% Mandated Limits on Commercial and Industrial Property Tax Increases for 1998 (ATTACHED) 49 15 P'I 505, avenue University, 78 étage Toronto ON M5G 1 X4 (416) 598-4638 Télécopleur (416) 326·5164 326-5164 505 University Avenue, 7th Floo Toronto ON MSG 1X4 (416) 598-4638 Fax (416: Workplace Safety and Insurance AppealsTrlbunal Tribunal d'appel de la sécurité professionnelle at de 'assurance contre les accidents du travail œi ~ Ontario Office of the Chair/Cabinet du présldent [R1~Cf!n~l![Q) SEP 0 ~ 1998 OOUHTY OF et.QIN ÆASONNEI. OFFICE 1998 August 31, CONFIDENTIAL Mr. Wayne Mahoney, President Control-Comp Consultants Inc. POBox 86 Tillsonburg, ON N4G 4H3 CORPORATION COUNTY OF ELGIN Decision No. 1165196 WCATNo. 96-0166 RE: Dear Mr. Mahoney: tome. Enclosed for your infoffilation are the copies of the Tribunal's Practice Direction on Reconsiderations, and Request for Reconsideration fOffil. As the Practice Direction states, the Tribunal's decisions are intended to be final. They may only be reconsidered in exceptional circumstances. The Practice Direction gives examples of possible reasons for a reconsideration. Your request for reconsideration on behalf of Corporation County of Elgin has been referred If your client decides to proceed with the reconsideration request, please complete the fOffil with your client explaining why the decision should be reconsidered. We will keep your letter on fIle. Please note on the fOffil if you would like your letter to be part of the reconsideration request. We will begin to process the reconsideration request once we receive the completed application fOffil and are advised that submissions are complete. please phone the Office of Counsel to the Tribunal Chair at For any further questions, 598-4638 ext. 226. Yours very truly, Original signed by Carole A, Prest (416) Carole A. Prest Counsel to the Tribunal Chair Iym cc: Corporation County of Elgin Encls. In NOTICE: The Tribunal may collect infonnation for 010 purpose of processing a request for reconsideration/clarification under sections 102,123(1),124(1),129,132 and 134 of the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997, 8,0.1997, c. 16, Schedule A. some cases, it may be necessary for the Tribunal to collect additional information before the Tribunal can properly determine the reconsideration request. Questions about the collection of information should be directed to the Counsel to the Tribunal Chair, Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal, 505 University Avenue, 7th Floor, Toronto, Ontario, M5G lX4. 50 RogerT.Kennedy Research and Information Consultant 5 October 1998 Administrator and Counci County of Elgin 450 Sunset Drive St. Thomas, Ontario N5R 5V1 Ambulance Downloading to UTM's & Implementation Study of Ambulance Services in Elgin County Re: Co unci With the imminent transfer of land ambulance services to the County level, no doubt the County of Elgin requires reiiable information in order to facilitate such change efficientiy ¡md as cost-effective as possible. As a working paramedic with practical experience as an investigator, and with a strong interest in consulting, I began researching the impiications of the "Who Does What" legislation long before it was passed into law. It was ciear from the onset that the downloading of land ambulance services wouid become a much larger dilemma than upper-tier municipaiities could have anticipated. Administrator and Members of Dear You may already be familiar with a pro bono report I prepared for the City of St. Thomas and the County of Eigin in February 1998; Ambulance Services and Municipal Downloading - A Preliminary Report of Ambulance Services in Elgin County. Copies of this report have been disseminated to CTAP committee members, a study in which I became an advisor to the Transportation consultant, Mr. Charles Fitzsimmons. This report offered a concise overview of how ambulance services currently operate in the County, and alludes to some of the organizational compiications downloading may bring While my interests in the downloading process were initially based on altruistic concerns for the level and standards of emergency medical services to the community, it became obvious that this operational transfer will not be possible without the assistance of a knowledgeable consultant, someone famiiiar with ambulance services in a milieu of fiscal restraints. In case the County of Elgin decides to seek the services of a consultant, I would iike to be given the opportunity to bid on such services. In the event you select my services as an implementation consultant, I would understandably resign from the local ambulance service in order to prevent any confiicts of interest. I remain Yours ,Sc.,CM mation Consultant nt /1 1 5 PO Box 22062, RPO Elmwood Square, Sl. Thomas, ON N5R 6A1 Tel (519) 631-9266 Pager (519) 642-8367 Page 882 CLERIH I gin Co 1 519 E.33 7E.E.1 ASSOCIATION OF?-> EST 18/87/98 22:22:87 01/01 4169716191 P I\\~\( ì 'M-unìciP~nti~s L...\ .I\ti..,"--/ of Ontano FAX NO, AMO OCT-07-98 WED 05:23 PM 39! Ul'llliCfulty Avenue, suite 1701 Tcl'Onto, ON MSG 1E6 Tel; <-41 e) 971.9651:1. 'ax: (0416) g71-6191 amait: amcGamo,munlco/YI,C:Of'l'l ert I A October 7 1998 Alert. 98/033 Announces Expansion of Blue BoX program mmediate Action For Ministry of the Environment Issue: Environment Minister Norm Sterling today announced plans to expand the Blue Box program and to increase other waste diversion initiatives. Sterling announced his ministry's Minister Ontario Facts: In a speech today to the Recycling Council of Blue BoX initiatives. To establish a private/public sector funding program to support and expand Blue Box municipal programs. The Government is seeking voluntary funding support from other group5, including food and consumer product and newspaper industries. The voluntary contributions are intended to support the cost 01 operating and promoting a more efficient Blue Box system; The LCBO wiH make an initial contribution of $4 million to pay for the cost to municipalities of recycling wine and liquor glass containers in the Blue Box program and the Province expects to flow payments before the end of 1998. To establish a voluntary long-term, province-wide organization to lead recycling and waste diversion efforts. Representation wiH come from affected industries who have their recyclables collected in the Blue Box, the LCBO, and from municipal and provincial governments, consumer and environmental groupS, and others. The organization is to be multi-tasked - for example, it is intended to attract private-sector funding; provide financial support based on meeting defined diversion rates and program efficiency, and this will reflect northern, rural and urban project costs. In addition the organization is intended to optimize collection routes, promote innovate collection methods, rationalize multi-material recycling facilities for better utilization, standardize cost accounting and supplier and equipment procurement methods for municipal recycling programs, encourage cooperative initiatives by municipalities to locate new markets for recyclable materials, and find better ways to get them to market. It will fund other initiatives to increase waste diversion, e.g. centlaiized composting facilities and 20 new household hazardous waste depots. Funding the recycling system will be driven by efficiency - rewarding good performance in waste diversion and will be contingent on prescribed efliclency standards and waste diversion targets and full compliance with recycling regulations. The Minister cautioned that although this voluntary approach is preferred, if Increased diversion does not result, then he will revisit the need for a stronger mechanism. . . . . keep these and wi be pursuing AMOwi Today's announcement is short on details. members informed on further developments. www.municom.com. AMO Action This information is available through AMO's MUN/COM network at more Information contact: Pat Vanini, Director of Policy and Government Relations @ Tel: (416) 971-9856 extn. 316 or emaH pvaninl@amo.munlcom.com Carleen Newland at 416-971-9856 ex\. 300 52 For Transmission problems Department of AdmInistrative Services P,O, Box 520. City Hall st. Thomas, Ontario N5P 3V7 Telephone (519) 631 ·1660 Fax (5191633·9019 ~Œ~1]a~Œ~ OCT 13 1998 COUNTY OF ELGIN ClER!{'S OffiCE N. ROY MAIN City Administrator Thomas Corporation of the City of St. 1998 October 7, Mr. Greg Keating Commissioner of Health and Social Services Municipality of Chatham-Kent 435 Grand Avenue W. Post Office Box 1230 Chatham, ON M7M 5L8 Mr. Keating: Dear its meeting of REP-LAND AMBULANCE CONSULTINGSERYICES the following recommendation at that City Council adopted RE: This letter is to confirm October 5, 1998 "That the County of Elgin be advised that the City of St. Thomas is prepared to participate in the Land Ambulance Services study and that the City agree to contribute up to $2,500 for its personal share to the cost of undertaking the study." The above motion was adopted following consideration of the draft RFP and indicates the City's commitment to participating in the funding of the study. As you are aware, land ambulance responsibilities rest with the County of Elgin and by copy of this letter I am advising Mr. M. McDonald accordingly. During City discussions, the issue of integrating our Community Transportation Action Plan (CTAP) study and findings into this RFP and the consultants ultimate work plan was deemed appropriate. The efforts of CT AP in particular to non-emergency transfers within the Elgin-St. Thomas area are particularly important to be referenced to the consultant. 53 2 We would appreciate being kept apprised of the status of the RFP call as it unfolds. N. City AdmilÙstrator cc. Mayor S. Peters Alderman M. Turvey, Chairman ofCTAP M. McDonald,County AdmilÙstrator /gc 54 Cabinet de la ministre de I'Environnement Office of the Minister of the Environment ~ ~Œ(OOawŒ® OCT 16 1998 COUNTY OJ elGiN Cl~R¡('S offiCE CanadaK1A OH3 I Hul 1998 Mrs. Sandra J. Heffren Deputy Clerk County of Elgin 450 Sunset Drive St. Thomas, Ontario N5R 5V1 October 8 Heffren On behalf of the Honourable Christine S. Stewart, I wish to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated September 25, received on October 7, concerning Elgin Council's support for a reduction in the level of sulphur in gasoline Mrs Dear j ! í I '~'.''''''\ . , \ / '<...<"", the promptly to be brought Please rest assured that your correspondence wi Minister's attention 55 Canadã Yours sincerely, -- cline Lanthier Executive Assistant ® Ontario Ministère des Affaires municipales et du Logement Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing , Assistant Deputy Minister Housing Operations Division 777 Bay Street. 16th floor Toronto, ON M5G 2E5 Tel: (416) 585-6373 Fax:(416) 585-7617 1998 October 8, Dear Chief Administrative Officer/ Clerk Treasurer: As part of the realignment of provincial and municipal services, municipalities have been submitting proposals to the province for the consolidation of service delivery for social services in their areas. Some of the proposals received to date contain fairly detailed provisions dealing with social housing. The ministry's social housing priorities remain program reform and the devolution of administrative responsibilities to the municipalities. However, our ability to do so is limited by the need to secure a federal agreement. The lack of an agreement also has an impact on your . ability to make decisions for the administration of the social housing program. While waiting for a federal agreement to be in place, the ministry is looking at ways to increase municipal input into social housing delivery. In the meantime, the consolidation of municipal services management should proceed without attempting to make express provisions for social housing. The purpose of this letter is to provide you with an update on social housing reform and administrative devolution, as well as steps that are being taken to increase municipal "say for pay" As you know, social housing program reform and devolution is to be done in three stages. The first stage was financial devolution. On January I, 1998, municipalities began paying for social housing with the passage of the Services Improvement Act I997. The second stage is program reform, which is being undertaken by the Social Housing Committee. The committee released its discussion paper on August 25; the next step is to get feedback ITom municipalities and social housing providers. It is expected that the committee will present its recommendations to the minister sometime in October. The third stage is administrative devolution. An essential part of reform and full administrative devolution is the signing of a new agreement with the federal government. We are confident that the committee's proposed reforms will meet the federal government's requirements for a federal/provincial agreement and that we will be able to proceed with negotiations. I am pleased that AMO and a number of municipalities are now supporting a new social housing agreement with the federal government. ./2 56 '. 1322{0ðI9S) until a "say for pay' will have meaningful 2 In the meantime, we want to ensure that municipalities new federal agreement is signed. To date, we have put in place mechanisms that enhance municipal involvement in social housing, such as, municipal representatives on the boards of Local Housing Authorities and on the board of the Ontario Housing Corporation. We have been providing municipalities with detailed information about their social housing portfolios on a regular basis. The fIrst package of information was provided in February 1998, which provided project names and addresses, numbers of units, program type and subsidy amounts tor the non-profIt and public housing providers in the area. On May 27,1998, we provided further information on capita! expenditures and debentures for public housing, and capital reserves and mortgages for non-profIt housing corporations. Weare in the process of developing a third data release, which will include further detail on public housing and non-profIt projects including structure information (apartment, townhouses) and unit distribution for public and non-profIt housing (one bedroom/two bedJ;oom units). This release will also describe the various rent supplement programs and provide m),lIlÏcipalities with addresses and number of units. We expect that this information will be released shortly. Our August release to municipalities of the "Ontario Social Housing Billing Process - A Guide' is an example of the instructional material we will be developing over the next few months. It is our goal to make sure that the devolution of social housing is as smooth and manageable as possible. In this regard, we want to continue to develop and strengthen partnerships among municipalities, regional offices and the Local Housing Authorities. In the next few months we will be developing a more formal education and training program to assist municipalities in better understanding the program details of social housing and building their capacity to administer these programs. and met ./3 and In July and August, senior ministry staff held eleven meetings throughout the province with 58 CAOs and senior staff from 44 CMSMs and DSSABs to seek input on how municipalities could have effective "say for pay". These meetings were very informative another set of meetings is planned for late October. 57 3 In the meantime, stafffrom our regional offices and from the Local Housing Authorities will continue to be available to meet with you to provide information about social housing and to discuss our programs and projects in your area. Sincerely, 58 Dino Chiesa Assistant Deputy Minister Housing Operations Division Regional Offices METRO REGIONAL OFFICE WEST, SUITE 365, P.O. BOX 126, NORTH YORK, ONTARIO M6A 3B4 Tel: 416-314-7328 and Toll Free: 1-800-668-0208 Fax: 416-327-0001 Regional Manager, Tel: 416-314-7228, ext. 236 Studden 700 LAWRENCE AVE Trevor L3R 9R9 CENTRAL REGIONAL OFFICE 625 COCHRANE DRIVE, 3RD FLOOR, MARKHAM, ONTAR Tel: 905-305-4000 and Toll Free: 1-800-881-3678 905-305-4053(Main)Shirley Van Steen, Regional Manager, Tel: 905-305-4001 o Fax K2G 4V3 EASTERN REGIONAL OFFICE 1547 MERIVALE ROAD, 5TH FLOOR, NEPEAN, ONTARIO Tel: 613-225-6776 and Toll Free: 1-800-267-6108 Fax: 613-225-6925) Regional Manager, Tel: 613-225-6776, ext. 2200, 613-364-9692 Pager: Steve Shapiro, P3E 6A5 NORTHERN REGIONAL OFFICE 159 CEDAR STREET, SUITE 401, SUDBURY, ONTARIO Tel: 705-564-0120 and Toll Free: 1-800-461-1190 Fax: 705-564-6819 Regional Manager, Tel: 705-564·6800 Allan Cox, NORTHWESTERN REGIONAL OFFICE 435 JAMES STREET SOUTH, SUITE 223, THUNDER BAY, ONTARIO P7E 6S7 Tel: 807-475-1465 and Toll Free: 1-800-465-5015 Fax: 807-473-3032 Allan Cox, Regional Manager, Tel: 807-473-3008 L8P 4Y7 SOUTHERN REGIONAL OFFICE 119 KING STREET WEST, 14TH FL., HAMILTON, ONTARIO Tel: 905-521-7500 and Toll Free: 1-800-263-8295 Fax: 905-521-7200 David Martin, Regional Manager, Tel: 905-546-8200 SOUTHWESTERN REGIONAL OFFICE 380 WELLINGTON STREET, SUITE 1100, LONDON, ONTARIO N6A 5B5 Tel: 519-679-7110 and Toll Free: 1-800-265-4733 Fax: 519-675·7674 Micheline Riopelle, Regional Manager 59 ® Ontario !~ " ii Update ve rs SOCIAL HOUSING COMMITTEE RELEASES DISCUSSION PAPER de ov r p ng s hou rat co-ope and t of r non-p for etter Issue # 4 news A the Social Housing discussion paper to municipalities, social housing a social housing providers, and a cross-section of residents 24th sent On August Committee October 1998 NEW AUDIENCES FOR HOUSING UPDATE Late last month, the committee heard oral comments ftom stakeholders on its recommendations The Until now, this newsletter has been sent only to non-profit and co-operative housing providers. Starting with this issue, Housing Update will be sent to all local housing authorities agencies committee also received about 150 written comments. (The deadline for comments was September 24th.) The committee also heard from key sector organizations - the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, Co-operative Housing Federation, and Ontario NOli-Profit Housing Association, as well as public housing managers and chairs proposed 54 provincial which manage public housing across Ontario), and to all municipalities which will be social (the The Social Housing Committee will now consider stakeholders' comments and final report to the Minister of Affairs and Housing. administering housing in the future. Our aim is to keep you informed about social housing reform and devolution. to respond to anything suggest ideas for future articles, or request previous issues, please contact us at If you would like in this newsletter, prepare a Municipal FEDERAL-PROVINCIAL NEGOTIATIONS Housing Update, Ministry of Municipal Affairs & Housing, Communications Branch, 777 Bay St., 17th Floor, Toronto, ON M5G 2E5 federal government interest in devolving social housing to the provinces and both the its responsibility for provinces. Five In 1996, announced (416) 585-6378 :/Iwww.mmah.gov.on.ca http 60 , Housing Regional Office for this information. (A list of contacts names with addresses and phone numbers is attached to this newsletter.) new government. have now signed with the federal territories agreements ENSURING A SMOOTH TRANSITION The province wishes to move quickly on the devolution of social housing administration, while ensuring a smooth transition. For the sake of all those who live in, manage, and pay for social housing, devolution should be as smooth and manageable as possible. To that end, we will be developing an education and training program to assist municipalities in better understanding the program details and in building their capacity to administer these programs. Since a significant amount of social housing is funded through joint federal- provincial programs, the province is seeking a new agreement with the federal whîch allows for social government housing to be reformed and devolved. The absence of a new agreement with the federal government significantly affects the province's ability to implement recommendations on reform. THIRD DATA RELEASE PLANNED A third package of information about social housing called a "data release" will be sent to CMSMs by the end of October. The package is expected to include more information on public and non-profit housing such as unit distribution (number of bedrooms) and structure (apartments, townhouses, as well as an introduction rent program. Municipalities have been actively encouraging the federal and provincial governments to negotiate a new housing agreement for Ontario. The province hopes that the federal government will begin negotiations with Ontario soon, and that an agreement will be reached. In the meantime, the province is looking at other ways to give municipalities meaningful "say for pay". Municipal representatives on the boards oflocal housing authorities and the Ontario Housing Corporation are one step in this direction. supplement etc:), to the CMSMS FINALIZED The municipal bodies that will administer social housing programs, as well as social child care, and other This builds on previous data releases, and Ontario Social Housing Billing Process: A Guide, which was released in August. have been named. There Consolidated Municipal assistance, responsibilities, are now 47 Service Managers (CMSMs) 61 Social housing providers who are not sure which CMSM will be administering their agreements in the future can contact their Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing Housing Operations Division Regional Offices 998 METRO REGIONAL OFFICE 700 LAWRENCE AVE. WEST, SUITE 365, P.O. BOX 126, NORTH YORK, ONTARIO M6A 3B4 Tel: 416-314-7328 and Toll Free: 1-800-668-0208 Fax: 416-327-0001 Trevòr Studden, Regional Manager 24, August L3R 9R9 CENTRAL REGIONAL OFFICE 625 COCHRANE DRIVE, 3RD FLOOR, MARKHAM, ONTARIO Tel: 905-305-4000 and Toll Free: 1-800-881-3678 Fax: 905-305-4053 Shirley Van Steen, Regional Manager EASTERN REGIONAL OFFICE 1547 MERIVALE ROAD, 5TH FLOOR, NEPEAN, ONTARIO K2G 4V3 Tel: 613-225-6776 and Toll Free: 1-800-267-6108 Fax: 613-225-6925 Steve Shapiro, Regional Manager NORTHERN REGIONAL OFFICE 159 CEDAR STREET, SUITE 401, SUDBURY, ONTARIO P3E 6A5 Tel: 705-564-0120 and Toll Free: 1-800-461-1190 Fax: 705-564-6819 Allan Cox, Regional Manager NORTHWESTERN REGIONAL OFFICE 435 JAMES STREET SOUTH, SUITE 223, THUNDER BAY, ONTARIO P7E 6S7 Tel: 807-475-1465 and Toll Free: 1-800-465-5015 Fax: 807-473-3032 Allan Cox, Regional Manager SOUTHERN REGIONAL OFFICE 119 KING STREET WEST, 14TH FL., HAMILTON, ONTARIO L8P 4Y7 Tel: 905-521-7500 and Toll Free: 1-800-263-8295 Fax: 905-521-7200 David Martin, Regional Manager SOUTHWESTERN REGIONAL OFFICE 380 WELLINGTON STREET, SUITE 1100, LONDON, ONTARIO N6A 5B5 Tel: 519-679-7110 and Toll Free: 1-800-265-4733 Fax: 519-675-7674/519-675-7707 Micheline Riopelle, Regional Manager 62 ® Ontario Ministère de la Santé Ministry of Health Emergency Health Services Branch 5700 Yonge Street, 6th Floor Toronto ON M2M 4K5 ~Œ~(~[jVŒœ OCT 327-7907 327-7911 416 416 Tel Fax 1998 21 1998 8 October COUNTY Of Elml\1 ClERWS OFf C~ Mrs. Sandra J Heffren Deputy Clerk County of Elgin 450 Sunset Drive St Thomas ON N5R 5V1 Heffren Thank you for your letter to the Honourable Elizabeth Witmer, Minister of Health. I am pleased to reply to your recent letter outlining your Council's resolutions about replacement of ambulances and collision insurance for those vehicles Dear Mrs The Ministry of Health shares Elgin County Council's belief that ambulances must be appropriately maintained and replaced when warranted to ensure reliable and safe transportation for all occupants. We also recognise that the Ontario Government's practise of self-insuring its owned vehicles can cause hardship to many municipalities in the event of an accident or loss In that regard, Emergency Health Services Branch has been exploring options with the Government's vehicle insurer to .relieve some of the risk and costs to -municipalities when ambulances are damaged. Specifics of the discussions are being provided to the Land Ambulance Transition Taskforce (LATT) for advice and conveyance to represented bodies. The Association of Municipalities of Ontario is a standing member of the LATT Information recently submitted to the LATT for their consideration and direction included the provision for insuring ambulances for collision and loss and passing the associated cost to municipalities. Several deductible levels and projected premium costs were offered /2 7530-4601 61 7198-93 (95/06) 2 It was also noted that the number of vehicles which are similarly insured could affect the cost of premiums. The arrangement would be in force only until ownership of the ambulances is transferred to municipalities afterwhich they will arrange for their own coverage Alternately, municipalities might want to have ambulance collision and loss insurance provided by their own carrier. Such an arrangement for independent coverage must first be discussed with the Government's insurer and name the interest of the Ontario Government until vehicle ownership is transferred to municipalities In the meantime, it is expected that municipalities continue to be responsible for repairs to ambulances decisions to replace them. Emergency Health Services Branch personnel will continue to provide information and advice about repair options, sources and types of vehicles available for replacement purposes will and as I hope that this information will assist Elgin County Council and its resolution. Please request that staff continue to call upon Emergency Health Services Branch, appropriate regarding these matters truly, ßJ~' Brand Yours !11M. Graham P Director Thomas City of St 64 Hon. Michael Harris, Premier Peter North M.P.P., Elgin N. Roy Main Administrator cc r';~~<;n~;i:{~~:[j~TrU!J-ml .«'¡~:J¡""" ~b~~ 1 ~ "'''''¿ .x..",~ ,- OCT -® Ontario 1998 CmJNTY Of aGlIl1 Clf:RK'S UFFitE 16 1998 October 9, Consolidated MUnicipal Service Heads of Counci Municipalities approved as Managers MEMORANDUM TO: the Minister of Community and Jack Carro Parliamentary Assistant to Social Services FROM: Provincial Task Force on Homelessness SUBJECT: Task Force on Homelessness, am writing to share our fina am pleased to say that our recommendations have been As Chair of the Provincia report and recommendations. accepted by the government. I also want to express my thanks to those municipalities that so w ingly agreed to arrange local consultations for the benefit of the Task Force. The key findings and recommendations contained in this report reflect the invaluable input provided to us during those meetings. During the consultation process, one theme stood out clearly - that most communities try to take care of their own, but could benefit from more tools to do so. At the same time, we heard that when people leave their home community to address their problems, the result is an increase in isolation and homelessness. We believe that the tools and incentives that we have recommended in our report, and that the government has now approved, will give you the flexibility you need to be innovative, while ensuring the accountability we a require. 6$ The Task Farce agreed with the advice from all the communities we visited, that the municipal level of government is best suited to developing lacal salutians to' meet loca needs. We heard your appeal far mare flexibility in develaping solutians that meet yaur awn needs, and far the pravince to' facus on outcomes rather than process. The province has agreed to give Consolidated Municipal Service Managers the flexibility to' make local decisions on haw to allacate their share of the $4 millian. As well, the province will allow municipalities to use same of the emergency haste I funding, to support the development of approaches that will prevent people from becaming homeless We alsO' recognize that there is a key role to' be played by the pravince. Yau wi see that there are recommendations directed to' provincial ministries, dealing with issues specific to the mental health, child welfare, and ather service systems. Thase recommendations have been forwarded to' the respective ministries, for their appropriate action We know that more wark wi be needed, requiring the cooperative efforts af the municipal sector and ministries, to put these recammendations into action. Over the next shart while yau will hear mare about haw yaur cammunity can participate in implementing the key recammendations. nued cont this Issue, and for yaur to' Thank you again for the commitment,you have shown support. 6& MUnicipalities I, Partner stration Caunci Admin Heads of Heads of cc: ® Ontario News Release Communiqué 1998 Publié également en français October 9, ONTARIO TO ACT ON RECOMMENDATIONS_ OF PROVINCIAL TASK F-ºRCE 01"1: HOMELESSNESS Ontario's Task Force on Homelessness, chaired by Jack Carroll, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Community and Social Services, has presented the government with its fmal report on homelessness. The mandate of the Provincial Task Force on Homelessness was to consult with municipalities and service providers around the province and to develop short- and long-term responses to help municipalities respond to local needs. In January Community and Social Services Minister Janet Ecker announced the creation of the Provincial Task Force on Homelessness and committed to provide an additional $4 million per year to municipalities to implement innovative approaches to deal with homelessness in their communities. In January Health Minister Elizabeth Witmer also announced the investment of an additional $2.5 million into front-line mental health outreach programs in four communities across the province. Toronto has received $1.8 million; Ottawa, $350,000; London, $200,000; and Hamilton, $150,000. This is on top of the more than $100 million the province already devotes to services and supports for homeless people in Ontario. Accepting the report on behalf of the government. Minister Ecker said, "The province is concerned about homelessness and its impact on community life and will move immediately to implement the Task Force recommendations." "Our recommendations," said Mr. Carroll, "build on recent government initiatives addressing homelessness, such as the $60 million for improvements to community-based mental health services and an option under Ontario Works that allows municipalities to pay rent directly to landlords on behalf of welfare recipients who are at risk of losing their housing." In June the government announced that it had accepted an interim recommendation from the Task Force. The province agreed to assume major funding responsibility for domiciliary hostels retroactive to the start ofth.is year. "The province's decision to act on our preliminary recommendation," said Mr. Carroll, "will provide approximately $14 million per year in funding to municipalities." ./2 67 2 The Report of the Provincial Task Force on Homelessness provides advice to the government on how to allocate the $4 million and makes additional recommendations, including: . funding for creative Municipalities should be given the flexibility to use some of their hostel approaches to prevent people from becoming homeless. · The province should continue to fund 80 per cent of the cost of both domiciliary and emergency hostels. · Municipalities, which have the expertise and local involvement, should pull together a local service system for homelessness services and oversee it. · Provincial ministries should ensure that their programs and policies support municipalities in their role as manager of the local service system. · The federal government should review its housing and tax policies to improve their support for the creation of private sector rental accommodation. · "Current responses to homelessness rely too much on crisis intervention and emergency services. This approach is ineffective in reducing or preventing homelessness," said Mr. Carroll. "Greater emphasis should be given to the early identification and prevention of homelessness among at-risk populations, as well as helping people retain and maintain housing." "We need to work with municipalities to help people become reconnected to their communities. We believe this will ultimately reduce homelessness," said Mr. Carroll. "Our recommendations and recent Ontario government initiatives will help municipalities deal with this serious issue in both the short and long term." -30 Initiatives Fund as attached. Note to Editors: The allocation of the $4-million Homelessness recommended by the Provincial Task Force on Homelessness is at the The full report of the Provincial Task Force on Homelessness is available on the Internet Ministry of Community and Social Services World Wide Website at http://www.gov.on.calCSS. Richard Simson Executive Assistant Office of Jack Carroll Chair, Provincial Task Force on Homelessness (416) 325-4534 68 CONTACTS: Mary Lou Daniels Media Relations Officer Communications and Marketing Branch Ministry of Community and Social Services (416) 325-5156 PROVINCIAL TASK FORCE ON HOMELESS NESS RECOMMENDED ALLOCATION $4 MILLION HOMELESSNESS INITIATIVES FUND SOUTHERN ONTARIO Area Served Allocation 60.0 40.0 60.0 60.0 40.0 120.0 40.0 60.0 100.0 120.0 60.0 40.0 60.0 60.0 40.0 60.0 40.0 120.0 40.0 120.0 40.0 210.0 60.0 270.0 60.0 40.0 60.0 100.0 40.0 40.0 1020.0 40.0 120.0 60.0 100.0 180.0 Total Population 124,000 71,000 116,000 117,000 47,000 480,000 90,000 109,000 358,000 485,000 130,000 62,000 139,000 136,000 62,000 100,000 67,000 409,000 52,000 421,000 84,000 760,000 103,000 904,000 128,000 78,000 103,000 346,000 75,000 83,000 2,456,000 88,000 428,000 160,000 366,000 634,000 % of Total Population 1.1% 0.6% 1.0% 1.0% 0.4% 4.3% 0.8% 1.0% 3.2% 4.3% 1.1% 0.6% 1.2% 1.2% 0.6% 0.9% 0.6% 3.6% 0.5% 3.7% 0.7% 6.7% O.9"k 8.0% 1.1% 0.7% 0.9% 3.1% 0.7% 0.7% 21.8% 0.8% 3.8% 1.6% 3.3% 5.6% Brant CO, Brantford C Bruce CO Chatham-Kent M Cornwall C, Stormont,Dundas & Glengarry CO Dufferin CO Durham RM Owen Sound C, Grey CO Haldlmand-Norfolk RM Halton RM Hamilton-Wentworth RM Belleville C,Quinle West C, Hastings CO Huron CO Kingston C, Frontenac CO Lambton CO Smith Falls ST, Lanark CO Brockville C, Gananoque ST,Prescott ST,Leeds & Genville CO Lennox & Addington CO, Prince Edward CO London C, Middlesex CO Muskoka DM Niagara RM Northumbertand CO Ottawa-Carteton RM Oxford CO Peel RM Peterborough C, Peterborough CO Prescott & Russell CO Pembroke C, Renfrew CO Barrie C, Orillia C, Simcoe CO Slratford C, SI. Mary's ST, Perth CO SI. Thomas C, Elgin CO Toronto C Haliburton CO, Victoria CO Waterloo RM Guelph C, Wellington CO Windsor C, Essex CO Vork RM 69 Service Manager Brantford C Bruce CO Chatham-Kent M Cornwall C Dufferln CO Durham RM Grey CO Haldimald-Norfolk RM Halton RM Hamilton-Wentworth RM Hastings CO Huron CO Kingston C Lambton CO Lanark CO Leeds·Grenville CO Lennox·Addington CO London C Muskoka DM Niagara RM Northumbertand CO Ottawa-Carteton RM Oxford CO Peel RM Peterborough C Prescott-Russell CO Renfrew CO Simcoe CO Stratford C SI. Thomas C Toronto C Victoria CO Waterloo RM Wellington CO Windsor C York RM NORTHERN ONTARIO Service Manager Area Served % ofTolal Tolal -Allocation Population Population Algoma DSSAB Algoma District, excluding SauR Ste Marie C, Prince TWP and 0.4% 40,000 40.0 Sault North Planning Board Cochrane DSSAB Cochrane District 0.9% 97,000 40.0 Kenora DSSAB Kenora District, excluding areas north of the 11" Baseline 0.6% 68,000 40.0 Manitoulin & Sudbury Manitoulin District, Sudbury District 0.4% 40,000 40.0 DSSAB Nlpissing DSSAB Nipissing District 0.8% 89,000 40.0 Parry Sound DSSAB Parry Sound District 0.4% 42,000 40.0 Rainy River DSSAB Rainy River District 0.2% 24,000 40.0 Sault Ste.Marie DSSAB Sault Ste. Marie C, Prince TWP and Sault North Planning 0.8% 94,000 40.0 Board Sudbury RM Sudbury RM 1.5% 170,000 60.0 Thunder Bay DSSAB Thunder Bay District 1.5% 165,000 60.0 Temiskaming DSSAB Temiskamlng District 0.4% 40,000 40.0 Allocation Formula: < 100,000 ($40.00) + 20.0 for every 100,000 up to 500,000 + 30.0 for every 100,000 up to 1,000,000 +50.0 for every 100,000 over 1,000.000 Total distribution wiii be $4.260M. Municipality Regional Municipality Separated Town Township M RM ST TWP City County District Municipality District Social Services Administration Board 70 C co DM DSSAB Abbreviations: Fact Sheet ® Ontario Fiche de renseignements MlnIs1ry 01 community Mlnlatère ... SeM_ end SocIal SeM_ _laux et communautal_ Communications and Marketing Branch (416) 325-5151 October 9, 1998 Publié également en français PROVINCIAL TASK FORCE ON HOMELESSNESS On January 29, 1998, Community and Social Services Minister Janet Ecker announced the creation of a provincial Task Force on Homelessness and conunìtted to provide an additional $4 millìon per year to municipalities to implement successful and innovative approaches to deal with homelessness in their communities. This is on top of the more than $100 million already devoted to services and supports for homeless people in Ontario. The Task Force has now presented its fmal report to the government. Its recommendations include advice for allocating the annual $4-million homelessness initiatives fund as well as recommendations on how the province can better assist municipalities to provide a system of supports and services for homeless people in communities around the province. The Task Force was made up of the following Parliamentary Assistants: · Jack Carroll, Chair of the Task Force, and Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Conununity and Social Services; · Steve Gilchrist, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing · Dan Newman, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Health · Jim Brown, Parliamentary Assistant to the Solicitor General and Minister of Correctional Services · John Parker, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister Responsible for Native Affairs The mandate of the Provincial Task Force on Homelessness was to look at how the province can better support municipalities to develop solutions to homelessness issues in their communities. During its consultations, the Task Force met with over 400 service providers, groups, local politicians and individuals, including homeless people. Members of the Task Force heard fIrst hand about local issues, local solutions and investigated best practices in communities across the province. Meetings were held in Ottawa, Hamilton, Durham Region, Toronto, Kenora, Kingston, Thunder Bay, London, and Windsor. An additional day of meetings was held for MPPs to present their local issues to the Task Force. At the time of the announcement, Minister Ecker also announced that the province would commit $4 millìon, based on the Task Force's recommendations, to support municipalities in developing local responses to meet the needs of homeless people. Health Minister Elizabeth Witmer also announced the investment of an additional $2.5 million into front-line mental health outreach programs in four communities across the province. Toronto has received $1.8 million; Ottawa, $350,000; London, $200,000; and Hamilton, $150,000. 71 ./2 2 The government has already acted on an interim recommendation of the Task Force, that the province should assume major funding responsibility for domiciliary hostels, which is a program that provides housing and supports to people who might otherwise be homeless. On June 12 the province announced that it would provide 80 per cent funding for domiciliary hostels, approximately $14 million annually. retroactive to the beginning of this year. On June 12 the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing also announced that the province would assume 100 per cent of the costs of dedicated supportive housing. rather than transferring it to the municipal level. This will save municipalities approximately $40 million annually and will streamline administration by providing single source funding. Supportive Housing is a key program providing supports and housing to people with special needs, who might otherwise be at risk of homelessness. RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE PROVINCIAL TASK FORCE ON HOMELESS NESS Based on consultations throughout Ontario, and based on a review of existing services and programs for homeless people, the Task Force offers the following recommendations for measures to create a more effective response to homelessness, and to improve provincial support for municipal efforts to assist homeless people: To create an integrated network of accessible. community·based services and supports to reconnect homeless people to society and strengthen their ability to stay connected: reconnect homeless 1. people to networks of support to A major priority should be strategies that foster independence and self-sufficiency. Service systems should be encouraged to make their services more accessible to people who have difficulty accessing mainstream services. For example: · Mental health reform to address the needs of individuals being discharged from hospitals; · The education system for youth at risk of leaving school early; · Ontario Works for hard to serve clients; · Correctional Services to link post-release offenders to community services and supports. Through the new local planning process, Making Services Work for People, communities should consider how local agencies, including Children' s Aid Societies, should respond to the challenges presented by homeless young people. A major priority should be early identification of those at risk of becoming homeless, and homelessness prevention. 1.1 1.2 1.3 To support municipalities as the local service system manager for homelessness services: Municipalities should be designated as the local service system manager for homelessness. Municipalities should work with community agencies and provincial ministries to develop coordinated strategies to achieve three outcomes: · Moving people from the streets to emergency accommodation; · Moving people from emergency to permanent accommodation; and · Preventing homelessness by supporting the retention of pennanent accommodation. The $4 million homelessness fund should be allocated to municipalities to achieve those outcomes. 2. 2.1 2.2 2.3 to support the should be rationalized Provincial program structures and funding mechanisms planning and management role of municipalities. 2.4 ./3 72 3 Provincial ministries should ensure that their allocations for homelessness services are consistent with municipal business plans and priorities. 2.5 The province should confirm its continued funding of emergency hostels at the level of 80 per cent. 2.6 To ensure greater emphasis on early identification and prevention of homelessness and to support the retention of housing: 3. identify and develop Municipalities should work with their communities and service providers to successful delivery strategies to achieve the three core outcomes. la 3 and their leaders in redirect a portion of communities Municipalities must be pro-active in reaching out to Aboriginal addressing the homelessness problems of Aboriginal people. The province should provide flexibility that allows municipalities to emergency hostel dollars to those strategies. 3.lb 3.2 The relevant provincial ministries should assess the levels of service provided to domiciliary hostel clients, as part of developing a long-term integrated approach to the housing needs of clients with special needs. 3.3 The province should assume major funding responsibility for domiciliary hostels. This was a preliminary recommendation that the government accepted and announced in June. 3.4 To relieve Ontario and its municipalities of the substantial social assistance costs that result directly from federal immigration policies: The federal government should be responsible for income support for refugee claimants, and introduce tighter sponsorship criteria and more effective monitoring and enforcement measures aimed at reducing the likelihood of sponsorship default. The federal govemment should ensure immigrant and refugee settlement and integration programs are adequately funded. 4, 4.1 4.2 in rental accommodation: to improve their support for To improve the climate for private investment The federal government should review its housing and tax. policies the creation of private sector rental accommodation. 5. 5.1 The province should identify opportunities for facilitating increased partnerships between the private sector and all levels of government. Ontario municipalities should consider the following steps to create a more positive climate for rental accommodation development: · Streamlining of zoning by-laws and planning approvals to decrease development costs; · Taxing new multi-residential rental buildings at the lower single residential rate; · Eliminating existing overlaps in building, fire and property standards, and consolidating regulation enforcement through a single inspection authority, and · Ensuring that municipal construction requirements do not exceed provincial requirements. 5.2 5.3 - 30- The full report of the Provincial Task Force on Homelessness is available on the Internet at the Ministry of Community and Social Services. World Wide Web site at http://www.gov.on.calCSS. 13 ® Ontario Fact Sheet Fiche de renseignements Communications and Marketing Branch (416) 325-5151 Publi~ ~galement en français Mlnl__ &eM_ _law< It eommunautal_ Mlnlally of Community end SocIal &eMcee 1998 RECENT ONTARIO GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES TO ADDRESS PROBLEMS LEADING TO HOMELESSNESS October 9, The province of Ontario provides over $100 million, through several ministries and program areas, to services and supports for homeless people. In addition, the province has recently taken a number of initiatives to address the human problems that are known to lead to homelessness. These are summarized in the following table from the Report of the Provincial Task Force on Homelessness. PROVINCIAL INlTIA TIVES Since September 1995. the Ontario economy has created new private sector jobs. Ontario Works has returned welfare to its original purpose - emergency help and transitional assistance - by linking welfare recipients to work through community participation, employment supports and employment placement. Over 300,000 fewer people are on welfare today than three years ago. 302,000 net KEY THEMES FROM REPORT Need more employment opportunities for homeless people A joint provincial-municipal working group is studying how best to help Ontario Works participants who have significant employment barriers. The Ontario Disability Support Program focuses on opportunities instead of impairments. It delivers practical employment supports that recognize that many people wiTh disabilities want to work and can work. The HealThy Babies. HealThy Children Program screens all newborn children and uses community resources to connect children at risk wiTh The supports and services They need. '!be 1998 Budget doubled current year funding to $20 million, growing to $50 million per year by 200Q.200 1. Need for more early identification, intervention and prevention A $IO-million grant to the Invest in Kids Foundation is supporting skills development and training in early identification of children at risk. The Better Beginnings, Better Futures Program provides regular home visits. enhanced child care and parenting skills to more Than 5,000 high risk families. The Learning, Earning and Parenting Program announced in the Spring Budget will provide $25 million for child care subsidies and other supports to help single parents on welfare finish school. Child care assistance for oTher parents on Ontario Works has been increased from $30 to $40 million. - 74 PROVINCIAL INITIATIVES The provincial-municipal commitment 10 child care IOtals up 10 $700 million in the current year, the highest level in Ontario's history. KEY THEMES FROM REPORT Need for more supports for at·risk families, children and youth The 1998 Budget expanded the Ontario Child Care Tax Credit to create the $140 million Ontario Child Care Supplement for Working Families. The proposed supplement would provide up 10 $1,020 for 350,000 children under age seven in working families with low to moderate incomes if the legislaûon is approved. The provincial tax cut has relieved 655,000 low income Ontarians of paying any income tax at all. Taxes have been reduced by 41 per cent for those earning less than $14,900 per year. A new mandatory risk assessment system is being put in place to assist front-line CAS child protecûon workers across the province. In 1997, an addiûonal $15 million was committed 10 support the hiring of 220 addiûonal front-line workers and for staff training. In January 1998, the province assumed 100 per cent funding ofCASs, and the 1998 Budget announced an addiûonal $170 million to support child welfare improvements and reforms. In partnership with the Canadian Living Foundaûon for Families, the province is supporting 581 child nuu1ûon programs reaching more than 39,000 children. Children, Better Beginnings, Better Futures Healthy See Healthy Babies, and LEAP above. Communiûes are using a new local planning process, Making Services Work For People, to decide on prioriûes and 10 identify the agencies best suited to deliver necessary services 10 children and people with developmental disabiliûes. A key objecûve of this planning framework is to give greater emphasis to early identification, intervenûon and prevenûon. Need more co-ordinaûon of services at the community level 10 combat fragmentation; communities need more say in how services arc organized The province recently announced S60 million in improvements to community-based mental health services. 21 Assertive Community Treatment Teams will be established to suengt\len services and improve quality of life for persons with serious mental disorders. Need more community-based supports for people with conûnuing care needs An addiûonal $6 million has been allocated 10 Community Health Centres to improve the access of homeless people to health services. In April, the province announced a $1.2 billion multi-year plan to expand long-term care for elderly people. The equivalent of 175 nursing homes and homes for the aged will be added as well as $55 I million in enhanced community-based services and supports. IT KEY THEMES FROM REPORT PROVINCIAL INITIATIVES Need for more rental housing The Lcutd Use and Planning Act, proclaimed in 1996, STreamlined development approvals. The Tenant Protection Act, proclaimed in 1998, reformed the rent regulation system. improves the maintenance of rental buildings and helps create a better climate for the construction of new rental housing. The new Ontario Building Code became effective in 1998, reducing the regulatory complexity of rental development The Development Charges Act, proclaimed this year, reduces the burden of development charges by requiring clear accountability on how they are used. The Fair Municipal Finance Act allows municipalities to tax multi- residential propeny at the same rate as single·family dwellings. Lower employer health taxes and reduced workers compensation premiums are reducing rental housing construction costs. Need more supportive housing In June, the province assumed lOOper cent of the costs of dedicated supportive housing, rather than transferring it to the municipal level. This will save municipalities approximately S40 million annually and will streamline administration by providing single source funding. Acting on a preliminary recommendation of the Provincial Task Force on Homelessness, the province is also resuming 80 per cent funding of the costs of domiciliary hostels, which will save some $14 million in municipal costs. Need greater efforts by education The new four-year high school program announced in January, 1998 system to ensure that young people places an increased emphasis on preparing young people for life, whether are prepared for the workplace the chosen destination is post-secondary education, apprenticeship, or work. The new program will require students to complete 40 hours of community involvement, to provide young people with first-hand experience in contributing to their communities. Reflecting the rapidly changing workplace, the reformed high school program ,,111 provide more relevant guidance and career education programs, and expand exisring co-operative education and school-to- work programs in conjunction with business, educators and the voluntary sector. In June, the Ministry of Education and Training announeed that a revitalized Ontario Youth Apprentice Program (OY AP) will enable 2,000 students to begin apprenticeship training while complering high school. OY AP's funding will be increased by $1.4 million, to a total of $2 million annually, to belp district school boards create programs. - 30 Tbe full report of the Provincial Task Force on Homelessness is available on the Internet at the Ministry of Community and Social Services World Wide Web site at httpil/www.gov.on.calCSS. 76 ~ ~ Ontario Mlnistère des Affaires municipales et du Logement Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing Bureau du ministre 777 rue Bay Toronto ON M5G 2E5 Tél (416) 585-7000 Office of the Minister 777 Bay Street Toronto ON M5G 2Es Tel (416) 585-7000 ~~Ck~awŒ® o 1998 October 13 1998 9 J. CT Mr. Donald H. Page 7949 Coyne Road Wallacetown ON NOL 2MO Dear Mr. Page: 1 would like to welcome you as a member of the board ofthe Elgin and St. Thomas Housing Authority. You have been appointed by Order in Council No. 2093/98 dated September 30, 1998 (copy attached). The offices of the Elgin and St. Thomas Housing Authority are located at 34 Churchill Crescent, St. Thomas, ON N5R lN9, telephone (519) 631-4580. The Chair, Ms. Yvonne Harris, and the Housing Manager, Mr. Harold Hunter, have been notified of your appointment and you may expect to hear from them regarding the time and place of the next board meeting. The government has announced its intention to devolve responsibility for the administration and funding of social housing to the municipalities. If this results in changes to your membership on the board during your term of office, you will be notified accordingly. Housing Thomas I would like to thank you for accepting a position on the Elgin and St. Authority and wish you success in your new appointment. Sincerely, Al Leach Minister Attachment 77 Clerk, County of Elgin bcc ~ Order in Counc Décret OntariO Executive Councii Conseil des ministres Sur la recommandation du soussigné, Ie lieutenant·gouverneur, sur I'avis at avec Ie con- sentement du Conseil des ministres, décrète ce qui suit: On the rec01mendation of the undersigned, the Lieutenant Gpvernor, by and with the advice and concurrence Iof the Executive Council, orders that: dated the 29th numbered OC 3601/76, in Counc WHEREAS by Order numbered OC in Counc as amended by Order 976 1 A.D December, daYlof numbered in Counci 985 and Order 1 October, the 3rd day of 2287/85 dated Thomas the Elgin and St. 998 1 February, 8th day of 1 OC 1410/98 dated the Authority was constituted Housing the dated OC 864/93, numbered in Counc AND WHEREAS by Order thereof; member was appointed as a De AND WHEREAS a vacancy has occurred Philip E 993 Mr. 1 Apri 28th day of Mr. the membership of the of the member, in Authority by virtue of the expiration of the appointment De to Page has accepted an invitation Donald H AND WHEREAS Mr of the said Authority; member become a Act, Development - of the Housing the provisions THEREFORE pursuant to Thomas of the Elgin and St. member Page be appointed as a Donald H Mr 998 1 October st day of 1 the from pleasure, to hold office at Housing Authority for a concurreX. Chair of Cabinet ~5 Administrator of the Government 78 Recommend Approved ana Ordered SEP 3 0 1998 - Date O.C./Décret 2093/98 2000. September, later than the 30th day of ending no term ~Œ©![fWltŒf I 9 1998 COIlì'm IJ.f B.GIN ClERK'S (lffit¡; ~""""""",..-J____ OCT October 19, 1998 Mrs. S. J. Heffien Deputy Clerk County of Elgin 450 Sunset Drive ST. THOMAS, Ontario N5R 5VI Dear Sandy: Your letter of October 6th, 1998, concerning the possiblity of rededicating trees planted at the Court House, was read and discussed at the annual dinner-meeting of the Ex- Wardens, held on Friday, October 16th, 1998. I wish to advise that they wish to leave the status exactly as it stands now and do not wish to take any further action on the mattter. Thank you very much for bringing this to our attention. ¡/.,.,./ Yours truly, 79 G. C. Leverton Secretary-Treasurer Ex-Wardens' Association. Page 882 CLERH-Elgin Co 519 633 7661 1 ASSOCIATIon OF?-> AMO EST; 06:22 PM 18/28/98 22:46:58 01/03 ... . f ... Assoc;iatlon 0 ~ '!II Municipal Clerks ...... andT",.~ur." of Onl."O p, 4169716191 Association of Municipalities of Ontario FAX NO, r¥r / OCT-20-98 TUE MFOA MUNICIPAL fiNANCE OffiCERS' ASSQC'A'nON OF ONTARIO on Member Communicati Municipal 998 The Association of Municipalities of Ontario, the Municipal Finance Officers' Association of Ontario and the Association of Municipal Managers, Clerks and Treasurers of Ontario have been working diligently to find solutions to assessment and taxation concerns of Ontario's municipal governments. 1 October 20, On October 19,1998, the AMO Expert Panel on Taxation Solutions had its second meeting to discuss techniques for mitigating unacceptable tax impacts remaining even after the application of a variety of tax policy tools. The meeting was originally intended to bring together tax experts from the municipal sector, from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, and from the Ministry of Finance. The intent of the meeting was to discuss possible solutions. Instead, Finance staff did not attend, and the Deputy of Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing delivered a message on behalf of the Government. We Know: Government members of the Legislature have been municipalities who have told MPPs of significant tax What · listening to business leaders in various increases faced by businesses in their areas. Like municipal governments, the provincial government these increases on those businesses, The Government is of the view that municipalities have not done a ensure that such increases do not occur. The Government is preparing measures of its own to ensure that such increases do not occur. Little is known about the nature of these measures, when they will be introduced, when they will take effect or to whom they will apply. of tt) mpact that they could have is concerned about the · · · · What We Fear: · Municipal representatives are concerned that the measures the Government has been hinting at may involve mandatory capping or mandatory phase-ins for certain classes. This could involve re-issuing tax bills for 1998. In fact, municipal participants have been asked by provincial staff and MPPs about the possibility of issuing new bills for 1998. If mandatory capping is legislated, it would virtually mean the end of Current Value Assessment. Measures, such as these. if imposed by the Government are an overreaction to an otherwise manageable problem, and would further add to the instability of implementing its new tax regime. more. 80 · · Page BIB 02/03 do the p We Hope For: Municipalìties desire solutions that will not further complìcate the taxation issue, and that not create additional problems either now or in the future. Municipalities want measures that will allow them to implement the system in a fair and equitable manner, and that bring a sense of integrity to the taxation system. Municipalities are seeking a consultation role with the Province concerning any new tax mitigation measures. The Expert Panel on Taxation Solutions is prepared to discuss with Ministry of Finance and MMAH measures that bring fairness and equity to the system CLERK-Elgin Co 416971619 1 519 (,33 7(,(,1 FAX NO, ASSOCIATIon OF?-) AMO OCT-20-98 TUE 06:23 PM What · EST lB/2B/9B 22:47:4(, is Next Steps: · AMO has sent a letter to the Premier (attached) advising that consultation with municipalities vital to any successful tax policy changes, and that comprehensive, mandatory solutions proposed by the Government to address a small number of affected taxpayers is unnecessary. AMO will issue a report outlining the recommendations of the Expert Panel, and have forwarded this report to the Ministry of Finance, MMAH and the Premier's Office. The Expert Panel remains committed to exploring possible solutions with provincia staff. ß1 · · Page BB4 03/03 P CLERH-Elgin Co 4169716191 1 519 633 7661 FAX NO. ASSOCIATION OF?-> AMO OCT-20-98 TUE 06:24 PM EST 1B/2B/98 22:48:24 OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT Association of Municipalities of Ontario f¥t' "- / 1998 The Hon. Michael H Premier of Ontario Room 281, Legislative Building Toronto, ON M7A 1A1 Harris October 20, Premier: On October 9'h, I wrote to you to provide the advice of AMO's Municipal Expert Panel on Taxation. This is part of our continuing effort to provide your government with the best advice on how to rectify problems with the implementation of Current Value Assessment for all property classes. It is to be expected that there will be some problems with the implementation of any new system. Premier, AMO has been consistently supportive of the Current Value Assessment system because we recognize the need for reform ofthe previous assessment system. Dear We have been proactive in providing your government with good advice. In the absence of any response or consultation by your office or the Ministry of Finance, it leads us to believe that you will take mandatory unilateral action that could well undermine the new CV A system This does not achieve our mutually desired goal- the full implementation of Current Value Assessment with as few inequities as possible. I urge you notto succumb to arbitrary, heavy- handed decisions in response to perceived irresponsible municipal decision-making, when in fact it is the mitigation tools themselves that have not proven effective, As the level of government that Is most directly affected by taxation policies, I ask you to meet with me so that we may clear the air and put in place solutions that address the specific remaining problems. The differences in assessments from municipality to municipality, across our province, do not lead to arbitrary one-size-fits-all solutions. at any 22nd a meeting on Thursday, October Since time is of the essence, I would suggest time that is convenient to you. 82 Toronlo, ON MSG 1E6 . email: amo@amo.munlcom.com 393 University Ave" Suile 1701 lei: (416) 971-9856 . fax: (416) 971-6191 Sincerely, -\\: Michael Power AMO President MP/pv Cabinet du ministre des Transports Office of the Minister of Transport _._.._,_.,,,,.~_.__._.. ~t!\í'i,J;i>r';E'Q'0(jV r:~i'®' ~- 'J' ..,"- \ \i,.1 ), "-'. . {L.;""""- DC 99ß COUNTY Of ElGlM Ci~RK'S Office 26 OCT 1998 Mrs. Sandra J. Heffren Deputy County Clerk County of Elgin 450 Sunset Drive St. Thomas, Ontario N5R 5VI 2 Hefrren: Thank you for your letter of September 9,1998, and enclosures, to the Minister of Transport, the Honourable David M. Collenette, expressing the County of Elgin's support for a public inquiry into a truck collision and subsequent explosion that occurred on highway 17, west of Sudbury, on August 5, 1998. The Minister has asked me to reply on his behalf. Dear Mrs. I would like to take this opportunity to provide you with an overview of activities that have occurred in response to the aforementioned accident. On August 5, 1998, officials rrom Transport Canada and Natural Resources Canada were immediately dispatched to the scene of the crash and began gathering infonnation for use in an investigation of the incident. Under the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act, no person may ship explosives without having an emergency response assistance plan that can be put into effect in the case of an emergency. Immediately after the accident, Orica Canada Inc., employed such a plan. Transport Canada's inspector remained on site for the duration of the response period to ensure that the 83 procedures employed were satisfactory. 2 03-0112 (E) (96-06) / Canadã -2- By August 14, 1998, in addition to ongoing investigations by Transport Canada and Natural Resources Canada, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) had launched an accident investigation and the Ontario Ministry of Transportation was investigating the driver and the trucking company. Discussions between officials determined that the respective investigations would continue with Transport Canada and Natural Resources Canada acting as coordinator and assuming responsibility for preparation of the final report. the following five questions Why did the truck leave the highway in an uncontrolled fashion? What was the cause ofthe fire and how did it spread? Why did the AMEX II (ammonium nitrate fuel oil mixture) explode rather than burn? What were the effects of the explosion at various distances from What regulatory changes, if any, should be considered? the site? This coordinated investigation will address I 2 3 4. 5 The investigation is proceeding in three distinct phases. The first phase consists of collecting all facts related to the event. This includes testing the explosive materials to confirm their characteristics. The second phase will analyze this factual information in order to develop the most plausible sequence of events and circumstances for the incident, consistent with the information collected in phase one. Finally, the third phase will determine the corrective action necessary to ensure that, given the same general circumstances, such an explosion will not happen again. This phase will include regulatory amendments should current regulations prove inadequate. A coordination committee, consisting of officials from the four investigating departments, held its first two meetings in Ottawa on August 24 and September 8, 1998. This committee was established to ensure that all issues were dealt with by the appropriate agency or agencies. A third meeting is scheduled to talœ place on October 15, 1998, by which time phase one of the investigative process should be completed. The I have noted your comments concerning the need for a full public inquiry into this incident. notable difference between an inquiry and an investigation is that the person appointed to conduct an inquiry has the powers of Commissioner under the Inquiries Act. In this case, such an inquiry would be restricted to matters addressed in the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act, which would exclude several issues currently being examined by the various other departments 3 / 84 -3- Furthermore, when compared to the current investigation, the only additional authority inherent to the inquiry process is the ability to issue a subpoena, summons or other request requiring persons to testify. However, in this particular case, there has been no reluctance on the part of any witness to provide information which would warrant such action. As the ongoing cooperative investigation will explore all relevant issues, and given that the findings will be made public, it was decided to continue with the current investigation rather than restructure these activities as an inquiry. writing. Again, thank you for matter. interest in this appreciate your I Yours sincerely, Peter Gregg Special Assistant - 85 Ontario Office ofMr. Gar Knutson, M.P. Office of the Honourable Tony Clement, M.P.P. Office of Mr. Rick Bartolucci, M.P.P. Office ofMr. Peter North, M.P.P. c.c. Page ÐÐ2 CLERK-Elgin Co 1 519 &33 7&&1 ASSOCIATIon OF?-) EST 11/Ð2/98 23:5&:52 01/01 Association of Municipalities of Ontario P r"-./,(" I'~" i 'd: 416971619 / FAX NO, Al10 NOV-02-98 110N 05:06 PI1 393 Univo..ity Avønus, Sullo 1701 TornnTo, ON M5G 1E6 (416) 911-9955 'fax: (416) 971-6191 oman: amo@amo.municom.com Tol ert AI Members of Council Please ensure that this is delivered to all 981036 Alert November 2, 1998 Immediate Action For AMO Pursues Unanswered Questions on Mandatory CaPPing Issue; AMO's Expert Pëlnel on Tax Solutions met on Friday with staff from the ministries of Finance and Municipal Affairs and Housing to discuss plans to limit tax increases on all commercial and industrial properties. The Facts The Government restated it intends to table legislation that limits tax Increases/decreases related to assessment on commercial and industrial properties to 10 per cent in 1998, and a further 5 per cent in each of 1999 and 2000. Members of AMO's Expert Panel and staff from the Municipal Finance Officers' Association (MFOA) and the Association of Municipal Clerks and Treasurers (AMCTO) sought answers to questions regarding how the 10-5-5 cap will be implemented, including Payments-in-Lieu of Taxes, mixed use properties, application of the Cëlp with respect to optíonal classes and subclasses, tenancies and charitable rebates, Answers to many of the detailed questions were not forthcoming. Instead, Finance staff indicated that these and other matters were still under review, and final decisions on how the cap would apply to specific circumstances were stili pending. Answers won't likely be known until the Bill is introduced for First Reading, expected this Thursday. The Expert Panel reasserted that mandatory capping for commercial and industrial properties is unnecessary, and simply postpones the implementation ofthe Current Value Assessment (CVA) program. AMO's Expert Panel had proposed specific solutions which would have allowed municipal councils to target relief to those hardest hit, without having to re-issue tax bills or claw back tax decreases alrE,ady given. No indication has been given as to why the Panel's recommendations are not workable. It is unlikely that municipalities will be consulted prior to the Bill's introduction, and there has been no involvement by AMO, AMCTO or MFOA in its development. Likewise, it is unclear as to what opportunities might be available for comment on the Bm as it progresses to Third Reading. AMO Action: Members of the Expert Panel feel that the Government's 10-5-5 cap option is not the answer, and that until details of the Bill are made public, it is impossible to analyze the impacts of mandatory capping, ()r to determine the costs to both ratepayers and municipalities. Finance was also reminded that the municipal sector has not been consulted in the development of this legislation, or in the prior analysis of what the impacls may be of capping commercial and industrial tax increases. AMO staff and the Expert Panel will review the Bill once introduced, and provide comments to the Ministry of Finance on whethor this latest 'solution' will lead to a completely new set of problems and affected ratepayers. AMO members are encouraged to review the Bill to identify the impacts on local circumstances and to relate their findings to AMO directly www.municom.com. Cascy Brendon. Policy Advisor, Policy and Government Relations at (416) 971..9856 ex! 341 or emaH: cbrendon@amo.municom.com Carleen Newland at 416-971-9856 exl. 300 8 6 AMO's MUNICOM network at available through more information contact Transmission problems: is This information For Novemba' Z 151!18 McDonald Mark G A1VlCTO EXPRESS Mr County of Elgin Sandra Heffren Linda Veger B LOCATION ATTN: Ms Ms ... !~! ... " . . . AMCTO Update on the Proposed 10%, 5% and 5% Mandated Limits on Ct)mmercial and Industrial Property Tax Increases for 1998 Your association is an active participant on the AMO expert panel on assessment and taxation. At a meeting held on Frid¡'IY, October 30 between the expert pane] and representatives of both the Ministries ofMllnicipa! Affairs and Housing and Finance, answers were sougbt to many questions regarding the announced !egislation which will require municipalities to limit tax increases on commercial and industria) properties to 10% in 1998 and to 5% in both 1999 and ;1.000, The precedent forlimiting tax is set out in Bill 16 (1998), An Act to give Tax Re/iefto Small Busine$.\·es, Charities and Others and to hlake other amendments respecting the Financing of Local Government and Schools. AMCTO expects the new Bill to have certain similarities to Bill 16 However, the new BiJl is likely to be much more complex. All commercial and industrial taxpayers who had a propelty tax increase greater than 10% in 1998 ¡lorn "property tax related" matters will have their tax limited to an increase of no more than 10% for alJ purposes (including education). Those who had increases of less than 0% or decreases will be required to fund the 10% lìmit. This is similar to a phase-in program. We are not sure what "uro )ertv tax related" means at this time, but we are told it does not include any municipal budget increases (Bill 16 was a limit for an purposcs). We are also told that costs emanating from the Local Services Realignment Act (Who Does What) are not part of the " )fO )ertv tax related" definition. We await the Bill, which is expected to be introduced this week, to know for sure. Municipalities will have to identify which portion of an increase is property tax related. Does this mean another tax billing for J 998? Essenti!1l1v, ves! AMCTO representatives and others on tbe expert pane! expressed extreme concern that not many municipalities will be able to manage another tax billing. Timing, computer applications rewrites, limited staff and many other administrative issues make the feat relatively impossible. Preferred alternatives include making all 1998 adjustments on the 1999 interim bill or providing an opportunity to send a final 1998 bill in early 1999. Whatever the method used, this provincially mandated action will be extremely difficult to implement and extremely confusing to explain to the taxpayer, particularly those facing an increase or "claw back" of previously realized reductions. The 1998 final tax bill will not be completed until the adjustments are made. 1997 meeting: 1997 tax rons (ftozen assessment listing) will have to be utilized. The 10% limit will be based on the actual ta:" (hopefuny the adjusted tax which includes the former business occupancy tax (BOT)). The multiple residential class is not included in the announcements, although the government is being pressured to consider the treatment of this class as commercial. 87 Here is what else was discussed at the October 30th ~ ~ d );> In two-tier systems, the limits wiJl apply at the upper-tier. The upper-tier will become the "banker", to manage illtermunicipal shifts where limiting the increases to 10% in some of the more "harder-hit" municipalities will have to be funded by "claw backs" in other municipalities within the two-tier ~ystem. );> It will be necessary to "claw back" the reductions on those properties previously taxed at an increase of greater tban 10% trom the commercial and industrial properties with increases of less than 10% and those that previously had decreases. All claw backs must be trom within the class, that is, you cannot fund reductions trom one class with claw backs from a different class. Stay tuned for further details. );> PILs may be affected by this announCement, especially on Federal properties. Ontario has indicated it will likely exempt itself from the 10% limit for its PIL properties but early indications are that the Federal Government may expect the 10% limit to be applied to its PIL properties. );> Where optional classes have been adopted, the legislation will likely pool assessment in order to fund the "ups and downs" (i.e. office building, shopping centre, parking lot and other commercial will all be one class for the purposes ofth.is legislation; likewise, industrial and large industrial will likely be treated as one class). );> :Fannlands awaiting development (both Phase I and II) within the commercial and industrial class will be excluded; );> Vacant land and vacant/excess units will likely be included. );> Charity rebates program will likely be handled similarly to the provisions in Bill 16 (no rebate or alternatively any rebate will be limited to the increase in excess of the 1997 tax limited by the 10%). );> The "flow-through" provisions for tenants will likely be provided for in the legislation which would limit the flow through of the increase to 10% (for "property tax related" increases). );> All tax policy deadlines will be reopened and extended, J;> Interim t~x bills may be based on the actual 1998 adjusted ta.x. This approach will likely spell delays and have an effect on Ci'lSh flows. Alternatively, there is the possibility of issuing interim bills based on similar principles to those used in 1998 or on the 1998 actual amounts (possibly limited by the 10%). All members are encouraged to contact AMCTO to offer suggestions on how this can be handled so we can forward those ideas to ]\,I[MAH. );> The legis¡ation will have to provide for the re-issuance of tax certificates, which have been or will be issued in the near future. );> MMAH is looking for advice on what type of system or support it can offer f!'mnicipa1ities to assist with the implementation of this pö!icy (i.e. development of spreadsheets, modify and update OPT A etc.) All suggestions should be sent to the AMCTO a.s.a.p. Any Association member with questions should contact the AMCrO office. We will endeavor to oblain answers and distribute those answers through regular AMcro Express publications, McDonal G Mark Mr County of Elgin Sandra Heffren Linda B Veger LOCATION ATTN: Ms Ms Tbe Association of Municipal ClerlíS and Treasurers of Ontario is offering an updated Fair Municipal Finance training program, complete with an updated manual and tu rate spreadsheets, beginning November 23,1998 at various locations throughout Ontario, These practical, hands-on, how-to sessions will address the 10%, 5% and 5% announcement, at least up to and including what the legislation provides at the time of each seminar. Space in these sessions is limited. REGISTER NOW. For further information contact Rosita (ext. 24) at the AMCTO office. ONTARIO MUNICll' AL DIRECTORY UPDATES Please note On paLJC 38 of the 1998 Ontario Municipal DirectOJY the fax number for the City of Thorold should be 905-227-5590. Pkmse correct this number in your book. Also, if you haven't already sent in your updates or changes for the 1999 Ontario Municipal Directory, please fax them to AMCTO at 905-602-4295 immediately. 88