REGULAR SPECIAL MINUTES
TOWNSHIP OF MACDONALD, MEREDITH & ABERDEEN ADDITIONAL
TUESDAY, OCTOBER16, 2007
6:00 P.M. COUNCIL CHAMBER
Mayor: Lynn Watson
Council: Lee mason, Jean Robbins, Lynn Orchard, Shelly Bailey (arrived 6:20 working)
Staff: Lynne Duguay
Ministry of Transportation: Paul Lecouarer-North Bay, Doug Cooper-Thunder Bay
Observer: Tom Keenan
1. Call to Order
#07-486
Moved by: Jean Robbins
Seconded by: Lynn Orchard
“RESOLVED that we open our Special Council Meeting at 6:00 p.m.”
CD.
2. Declaration of Pecuniary Interest
3. Minutes of Previous Meeting & any other meetings to be adopted by Council
4. Action Items from the Minutes
5. Staff & Committee Reports
a) Road Supervisor
b) Leisure Services Coordinator
c) Fire Chief
d) Treasurer’s Report
e) Planning Board
f) Police Services Board
g) Algoma District Services Administration Board
h) Algoma District Municipal Association
i) Landfill/Recycling
j) Sewer and Water
6. Delegations
7. By-laws
8. Old Business
9. New Business
a) Ministry of Transportation-Renumbering of Old Hwy 17
Paul Lecouarer and Doug Cooper attended the meeting and spoke in regard to the renumbering of old Highway 17. They could not meet jointly with us and Garden River because of the number of outstanding issues with Garden River.
Mr. Lecoarer requested a clear understanding on where Council stands on the renumbering issue.
Mayor Watson explained that when the initial motion was passed accepting the renumbering as presented by MTO on Feb. 20 2007 Council was not given the impression that they had any say in it. It was presented by MTO that that is the way is was going to be and no opportunity for input was given. After more discussion with Council , the Business Group and Garden River we felt the numbering of this highway should be consistent with Garden River. So, we requested a joint meeting with MTO, Garden River and ourselves. Mayor Watson went over what had unfolded at the joint meeting and agreed with Garden River that Hwy 17 B made most sense.
October 16, 2007
Mr. Lecoarer had met again with Garden River the same day, after we had left, because he felt the meeting did not go well and he did not want to leave things like that. Garden River made it clear they would not accept Hwy 638.
MTO met with Garden River this morning and their position has not changed. They want Hwy 17 B.
This is a Business Corridor for both Garden River and ourselves so Hwy 17 B makes sense.
MTO’s issues around the renumbering are still at the forefront, confusion, and highway safety.
When the new Hwy 17 4-lane opens we will se Hwy 638 signs in place within our township. The Order in Council has been finalized and that and it cannot be changed.
Councillor Mason asked how long an Order in Council takes. Mr. Lecoarer did not have exact timeframes.
Mr. Lecoarer confirmed to Council at this point that the renumbering of existing Hwy 17 is going to be Hwy 638 and Hwy 638A within our township.
There will be no signage in Garden River in regard to Hwy 638 but as far as MTO is concerned from City limits to existing Hwy 17 4-lane it will be named Hwy 638 and Hwy 638A.
Signage at City Limits where you make the 90 degree turn will show left Hwy 17 and straight through Garden River. No reference to Hwy 638, Hwy 638A or Echo Bay will be made. Council was not happy with this.
Mr. Lecoarer will make arrangements with their Traffic Section for all signage plans to be brought here. He will also have Kelly Schmidt and John Fraser to contact the Clerk to set up a meeting to discuss further.
Discussed 911 numbers and our mapping and the need to update and keep it as consistent as possible to not cause confusion.
Discussed our Fire Department and our commitment to calls along the highway and where and how we will access with no emergency connecting lanes.
Councillor Orchard questioned the number of lights at the Watson Road and Hwy 638 intersections. The fact that the existing 4-land has 6 lights at each intersection and these two intersections only have 2.
Mr. Lecoarer has committed to look into that.
Also the signage for Watson Road being North and South instead of East and West was
Mr. Lecoarer stated that a meeting will be set up to look at all signage.
There are some improvements that are needed to the Hwy 638 Hwy 17 intersection now. Mr. Lecoarer stated that the Minister made a commitment to do a study and continue looking at that intersection and ways to improve it. The Minister also made a commitment to commence an Environmental Assessment in regard to an overpass at this intersection. Both have begun and they will keep us up to date on this.
Councillor Mason inquired about an emergency access road for the Fire Dept. between Hwy 638 and first intersection in Garden River and it was confirmed that there will be no emergency access roads.
October 16, 2007
Bar River Road where MTO built their turn around is very rough from Hwy 17 to there. We rebuilt that road this year and it turned out great right up to that point.
We are going to set up a meeting to discuss mutual concerns with Garden River in the near future.
Mr. Lecoarer to get back to us on meeting with MTO in regard to signage etc.
10. Presenting, Referring or Passing of Accounts
11. Correspondence
12. Mayor & Councillors Comments
#07-487
Moved by: Shelly Bailey
Seconded by: Lee Mason
“RESOLVED that we close our Special Council Meeting at 7:00 p.m..”
CD.
THAT these minutes be accepted this__________day of__________2007
_________________________ _________________________
MAYOR CLERK ADMINISTRATOR