Council Rundown
March 14, 2023
Consent Agenda
The March 14th, 2023 Regular Meeting of Council was a brief meeting featuring a few recommendations from the Corporate Services Committee. Those items included the review and update of the Town’s Hiring Policy with minor changes to increase efficiencies in the hiring process for budgeted positions as well as approval of requesting that Infrastructure Ontario and the OPP provide a presentation to Council in the future relating to facility options for the local OPP Detachment.
Under the Reports section of the Consent Agenda, the Treasurer’s Statement of Remuneration was received by Council. The Treasurer’s Statement of Remuneration features salaries and training expenditures for Members of Council on an annual basis and is to be provided by March 31st each year reporting on the past year. Included are the salaries and training expenditures of past Council and Committee members in 2022 as well as the new members who started their term this past November following the Municipal and School Board Elections on October 24, 2022.
Annual Drinking Water Report
Pursuant to reporting requirements established under regulations of the Safe Drinking Water Act and the Ontario Water Resources Act, the Ontario Clean Water Agency provided its 2022 Annual and Summary Reports for the Espanola Water System. The report can be accessed as part of the Agenda package available on the Town’s website or by requesting a copy in person at the Municipal Office.
Annual Budget
A Special Meeting of Council will be held on March 22, 2023 at 7pm in Council Chambers to begin presentations from the Treasurer and staff for the 2023 Annual Budget.
Mayor and Councillor Announcements
Councillor Kallioinen expressed satisfaction with the level of engagement with the Strategic Planning process so far and the related survey that has already received almost 400 responses to date. The Survey and information about the process can be accessed at the following link: https://www.espanola.ca/strategic-planning. Kallioinen also expressed that the Mental Health and Substance-Use Sub Committee of the Community of Care Planning Network have begun conversations around the development of an opioid response plan for our community. Kallioinen also thanked staff and students of Sacred Heart Catholic School for giving him the opportunity to speak with a grade 5 and 6 class to talk about his experience as a municipal Councillor.
Councillor Nadeau expressed gratitude for the Public Works Department as relates to their efforts with snow removal as of late, particularly as they are without a key piece of equipment that is set to be replaced in the coming week.
The Council Rundown provides a summary of each Council Meeting. The official record of each meeting is the Meeting Minutes and can be found in the Council Meetings section of the website. Video recordings of meetings are similarly available in the same section. Any questions regarding Council Meetings can be directed to Joseph Burke, Town Clerk at [email protected] or by calling 705-869-1540.