council group pictureCouncil has more money on it’s mind.

They’ll be asking the government for more funding to our hospital, and is demanding to know why the north has much high gas prices than the rest of the province.

Don’t miss a minute of the action with our live blog starting at 6:00pm.

(Keep refreshing the page as the night goes along for updates!)

Only one presentation on the docket, and it comes from the Rotary Club on the upcoming Ribfest event…including a name change!

(Their full presentation can be found HERE.)

If approved, the event will take place June 24-25.

Luc Chalifoux says the move to Participark has resulted in an increase of patrons.

The new name will be the Rotary ParkFest, and believe they’re the only ones holding an event in Northern Ontario.

There’s also talk to bring in a big musical act, Scarlett Jane will be here, along with Lee Aaron on the Saturday night.  Aaron is releasing an album in March.

Chalifoux says they are looking for a few items from the city in-kind, you can see that in their presentation.

Black says they’ll discuss grants to organizations during tomorrow night’s budget meeting, and makes mention he’d like to see council continue to support organizations like the Rotary Club.

Nobody asks a question and that wraps up this presentation.

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Next is a report on an issue of supervision.

CAO Joe Torlone says a statement was made recently, and he says the issue has been dealt with and again, it is a bit cryptic because it has to do with an individual so they’ll continue this conversation in-camera.

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Upgrades to the Deloro scales.

It’ll cost around $28,000 and is included in the 2016 budget.

No questions and we keep moving at a feverish pace.

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Luc Duval is now up to discuss closures at the Deloro Landfill.

Council addressed last week closing the landfills on Sunday’s to save around $40,000 but Duval is recommending a different option that will still save the city money.

Duval says he’d like to see Sunday closures through the winter months only.

He says in the summer, he’d like to have the landfills open for 8 hours instead of 10 hours on the weekend.

Full details can be found HERE.

Dubeau says he’s had regrets on voting in favour of the Sunday closures last week, and likes seeing other options.

He likes the idea brought here tonight.

Council votes unanimously to replace last week’s vote to the new idea brought ahead here.  Vote is unofficial and will come back.

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Next is the Heart of Gold Triathlon.

This is for the road closures to run the event on Sunday, July 10th.

This is approved.

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To the Knights of Columbus to put up a toll booth on Main Street and Bruce Avenue on May 28th, with all proceeds going to Muscular Dystrophy.

It is approved.

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To rental fees!

The first is for the FONOM Conference.

Looks like this will go through without a hitch, as councillors Dubeau and Bamford voice their opinion on the subject.

Bamford says he supports it, as the event helps bring money into the local economy.

It is approved.

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Now for the NOVA Awards, to waive the fee in exchange to sponsor a NOVA Business Award.

The city is also being asked to donate 5 televisions for the ceremony.

Campbell votes against it, citing inconsistencies when comparing this to the Schumacher Lions Club getting charged $10,000 to use the McIntyre Arena.

Everyone else votes in favour and it is passed.

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Next is the ongoing battle with high gas prices.

The city is looking to write a letter to the province and the federal Minister of Natural Resources to get answers.

Also looking to get Competition Bureau involved.

This was done two years ago when John Curley was a member of council.

Grzela mentions this will be talked about in the House of Commons in Ottawa tomorrow by MP Charlie Angus.

Everyone votes in favour of the letter.

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Hospital funding resolution.

The city wants to have the province cover the cost of inflation as the hospitals have no control over it and funding has been frozen.

Black says they met with hospital officials last week, and notes that it isn’t a unique situation.

Bamford says the government is giving money to the LHINs to distribute.

This is to get support from the province, AMO, OGRA, FONOM and NEOMA.

It is carried unanimously.

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Next up is the Cochrane DSSAB in relation to using a new formula.

This will go out to every town involved with the DSSAB, and needs a double majority.

The DSSAB voted in favour, and Timmins has to vote in favour to make it go through as they control over half of the population.

It is passed unanimously.

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BY-LAW TIME!

Lease with the Timmins Snowmobile Club is passed.

Purchase of the property to house Hallnor Park, buying from the ONTC is passed.

Black gives credit to all provincial partners that have been pleasant to deal with.

Purchase of a loader from Nortrax Canada is up.

Campbell asks if they have the difference between the lowest bid and the bid in question.

Duval says the RFP process is coming back with the numbers and how to proceed.

Campbell says there will be a resolution brought forward on this matter in the coming weeks.

After a few minutes of rants and discussions, this is passed with Campbell voting against it alone.

Agreement with WSP for Lift station Communications upgrades is passed.

Encroachment request from Alfie’s Cigar Store is passed.

Agreement with MNR for fire management is passed.

Agreement with CUPE Local 434 is last.

Doody congratulates staff and committees to look at this.  Full details can be found HERE.

Another item on the building by-laws was removed from the agenda.  Council is being asked to have a discussion on it to help the director on the subject.

Nobody looks eager to talk about it so it’s been deferred.

and council is going in-camera so WE ARE ADJORNED!