Council Rundown
April 11-12th
Council had a number of a meetings April 11th and 12th including the Regular Meeting of April 11th.
Consent Agenda
The April 11th, 2023 Regular Meeting of Council Consent Agenda featured the typical departmental reports and minutes of past meetings as well as the passing of a new Social Media Policy which better reflects the present state and uses of social media.
Annual Report on Bylaw Enforcement and Animal Control Services
Rainbow District Animal Services and Bylaw Enforcement, service provider for the Town of Espanola, were in attendance to provide a presentation regarding their annual report for Espanola. The report highlighted the 2022 offence and occurrence statistics and elaborated on options for the Town to move toward an administrative monetary penalty system in the future to process bylaw enforcement fines and appeals.
Recommendation regarding Summer Student Wage Increase
Council Approved increasing the student hourly wage to $18.00 with a $0.50 increase for each returning year. This increase was proposed by staff in order to address significant shortages in applications for the typical full-time Public Works summer student positions. With inflation and the rise of minimum wage, the department has not increased student wages since early in the last decade. The Town has now reposted for its summer student positions in hopes of attracting additional applicants.
Traffic and Parking Bylaw Amendments
A number of traffic and parking bylaw amendments were approved to recognize newly configured areas of the Town’s urban core and increases in Court costs. Over the past several months, the Bylaw Enforcement Officer and Clerk have been working together to determine amendments that will best assist with parking and traffic flow, predominantly in school zones where schools have slightly changed primary locations or have constructed new buildings and parking lots. Amendments include the addition and removal of certain no parking areas to enhance traffic and pedestrian safety, create safer passage for graders and snow plows, recognition of fire routes to ensure proper enforcement of fire route requirements can take place throughout the municipality, and increased fines in recognition of increased costs of prosecution and enforcement.
Mayor and Councillor Announcements
Councillor Massicotte expressed enthusiasm over the success of the three on three hockey tournament at the Recreation Complex on Easter Weekend (April 6th – 9th).
The Mayor expressed appreciation to Councillor Massicotte for his efforts and time put into the three on three hockey tournament.
Special Meeting April 11th, April 12th
In addition to the Regular Meeting, a special meeting prior to the regular meeting on April 11th featured a presentation from the Town’s IT service providers. A special meeting on April 12th featured a presentation and updates from the Town’s consultants for the development of a new Strategic Plan. Videos of both meetings can be viewed on the website at https://www.espanola.ca/town-government/council/council-meetings.
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.