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Home My WebLink AboutThe Citizen, 2017-01-19, Page 19u Jtap 4p504 annivexacvit� George & Elizabeth Procter January 21, 1967 _ Bushels of love from your 4 daughters, Kate and Jennifer, ' and grandchildren, A.11MOIIOII!, Luke, Wes, andMDiannn��e�� THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2017. PAGE 19. Value of shared services questioned by MT council By Denny Scott The Citizen Some members of Morris- Turnberry Council aired concerns about the ongoing shared services project with North Huron during Morris-Turnberry's Jan. 12 meeting. Councillor Dorothy Kelly raised the issue, saying she wanted a motion on the books guaranteeing that administrative concerns in the municipality would stay in Morris- Turnberry and not be relocated as a shared service. "I have several concerns about this project as you people well know," she said to council. "For one thing, these discussions should be public, which is why I'm bringing it up here." Mayor Paul Gowing immediately suggested that the issue be tabled until after the Jan. 17 closed -to -the - public meeting during which the successes and shortfalls of the program would be discussed, however Kelly disagreed. "No, we need to keep the administrative services here and we need to state that now," she said. "Otherwise, I'm afraid the committee will make arrangements we don't agree with." Kelly went on to explain that she felt the shared services committee needed to be scrapped in its entirety so all issues were handled directly by the council. "I'd like to do with away the 11113 So close The Blyth Brussels Crusader Novice Local League squad welcomed the Lucknow Sepoys to the Brussels, Morris and Grey Community Centre (BMGCC) over the weekend and, after a hard-fought game, were edged out 4-3 by the Sepoys. The team next takes to the ice on Saturday when they face off against the BCH Ice Dogs at 11 a.m at the BMGCC. (Denny Scott photo) shared services committee because we have no idea what decisions are being made behind our backs," she said. Gowing explained that many of the issues being dealt with are confidential and do need to be made behind closed doors. He asked if Kelly was sure this was how she wished to proceed. She restated her proposal and looked for a seconder. Councillor Sharen Zinn seconded Kelly's motion to have administrative services enshrined in Morris-Turnberry by bylaw, saying she wanted to see where the discussion would go. Councillor John Smuck asked which information would be part of the report prepared for the Jan. 17 meeting as that would have significant bearing on the decision Kelly was proposing. He specifically asked about the expenses for the shared services program. "You'll have a full report for the budget on Jan. 24 regarding expenses for the program," Administrator Clerk -Treasurer Nancy Michie explained. "For Monday [Jan. 17], I can't be sure. We have sent invoices to North Huron for approval, but I can't say for sure. I might have an estimate I can put in, but a specific budget amount may not be ready." Zinn said council didn't need to wait to determine the costs, saying the monthly accounts could be examined to determine how much the program had cost. "If you go back over the budget, you can figure it out," she said. "We have spent $101,413 on consultation for the project alone." Zinn felt the program was a precursor to amalgamation talks and felt council should cut to the chase. "If we're going to suggest amalgamation, we should just do that," she said. "We should get a vote and see what the public wants. I feel we've wasted so much money on this shared service program and we should just get it done." Deputy -Mayor Jamie Heifer felt all the discussion being had by council was premature until the meeting between councils was held, however Zinn said the facts were all in the accounts for people to consider and there was no reason to wait for the discussion. Smuck said these debates might be why North Huron and Morris- Turnberry were the first councils to attempt shared services. "I think there's a reason shared services have never been taken to this degree before," he said. "Reporting to two bosses is impossible in my opinion. It might work with drainage and building departments, but that's it." Smuck said that in the days before the shared services agreement, Morris-Turnberry and North Huron's Public Works Departments had been helping each other for years and now that seems to have backfired. "We've taken a perfectly good wheel and rolled over a bucket of nails here," he said. "We've broken a perfectly good system." Councillor Jim Nelemans said he agreed with Kelly's idea, but did want to wait to hear a report. The motion was defeated, however staff was directed to bring the motion back after the meeting to allow council to revisit it. M -T arrears decrease Morris-Turnberry's property tax arrears amount is near a five-year low. The list, which details tax dollars that weren't collected, show that, in total, Morris-Turnberry hasn't collected $592,979 in back taxes. This represents 10.36 per cent of taxes collected. Over the past five years, the Bylaw enforcement to be streamlined Last week, Huron East Council sent a number of proposed changes to municipal bylaw enforcement back to the drawing board. At Huron East Council's Jan. 10 meeting, Chief Administrative Officer Brad Knight and Bylaw Enforcement Officer Bruce Brocklebank presented the proposed amendments to the bylaw. The improvements, they stated, would attempt to increase the effectiveness of the bylaw, tightening the current seven -week process to a five-week process by eliminating the middle step. Under the current structure, Knight said that when a complaint is received, Brocklebank then makes verbal contact with the alleged offender, either by phone or in- person. Then, a written notice is sent and, if the offender still doesn't comply, an Order to Comply would be issued. The entire process, from complaint to order, could take up to seven weeks, which was a source of frustration for some. The topic of bylaw enforcement was a hot one last year when a special public NH looks for input on collection The Township of North Huron's current curbside garbage and recycling contract is due to expire in the fall of 2017. Prior to entering into a new contract, North Huron is seeking input from local residents and business owners. North Huron is asking ratepayers to respond to a survey that will identify the needs and requirements for garbage and recycling collection in the municipality. The survey was made available on Jan. 16 and can be accessed online by visiting www.northhuron.ca. Hard copies of the survey can also be picked up at the Township of North Huron municipal office, North Huron Wescast Community Centre, Queens Bakery in Blyth, the Blyth Community Centre or at the Belgrave Variety. The survey will be held in the strictest confidence and be used for internal information purposes only. Completed surveys may be returned in person, mailed or submitted online to the Township of North Huron no later than Monday, Feb. 6. Questions regarding the form can be directed to 519-357-3550, extension 128. .PARK THEATRE 30The 5quare .- 44110P7� GODERICH 519 524 7811 FOR MOVIE INFORMATION... av www.movielinks.ca long distance?1-800-265-3438 meeting was held in Brussels to address concerns about property standards enforcement throughout the village. While staff had proposed removing the middle step of written notice in order to speed up the process, Councillor Kevin Wilbee suggested issuing a written statement when verbal connection is made in the first step. This way, he said, the process is still being sped up, and the municipality is still serving the resident with a written notice of the complaint. Council liked Wilbee's idea and directed staff to return to the office and work on amending the bylaw to reflect Wilbee's suggestion. The bylaw was then given first and second reading, but will return with the aforementioned changes before it is read for a third time and passed. The bylaw is set to return to council at its Jan. 24 meeting in Seaforth. 07 A ir IA Heaven Sakes Alive Look who's turning 65 1 .13idfulcui R Love from Marion, Renay, John & Nicole amount was only lower than that, percentage -wise, in January, 2012, when it was at 10.3 per cent. Morris-Turnberry staff were happy to report that, due to a low number of Workers Safety Insurance Board (WSIB) claims, the township's payments into the system were reduced. Due to the township's good record, a 10 per cent adjustment was applied to its account. Mayor Paul Gowing said it was great news not only because of the financial impact but because it reflects the attitude of safety throughout the municipality. New Classes Beginning Jan.16 - Salsa & Rumba B(yth East Side Dance 273 Hamilton St., Blyth • 519-523-4590 Visit us on Facebook 116 ttiafr tio 11 Mr ti 0 lnemcrk chop he Make Your Own Beer, Wine, Coolers and Fruit Wine (c rero here or at home!) 84 KingstonsSt., GODERICH 524-2323