Minutes of the November 25, 2021
MANITOULIN-SUDBURY DSB BOARD MEETING
Present: Bruce Killah, Richard Malette, Ted Lovelace, Richard Stephens, Kevin Burke, Ned Whynott, David Ham, David Santi Paul Schoppmann, Maureen Van Alstine, and Arthur Hayden
Regrets: Michael Levesque and Jill Beer
Staff: Fern Dominelli, Donna Stewart, Connie Morphet, Melody Ouellette, Paul Myre, Lori Clark and Ehren Baldauf
Chair, Bruce Killah, called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.
There were no declarations of conflict of interest.
Resolution 21-85
Moved by: Kevin Burke
Seconded by: David Ham
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board move into closed session at 9:30 a.m.
Carried
Resolution 21-86
Moved by: Richard Malette
Seconded by: David Santi
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board adjourn this closed session at 10:15 a.m. and
move to the regular Manitoulin-Sudbury DSB Board meeting.
Carried
Minutes of the November 25, 2021
MANITOULIN-SUDBURY DSB BOARD MEETING
Present: Bruce Killah, Richard Malette, Ted Lovelace, Richard Stephens, Kevin Burke, Ned Whynott, David Ham, David Santi, Paul Schoppmann, Maureen Van Alstine, and Arthur Hayden
Regrets: Michael Levesque and Jill Beer
Staff: Fern Dominelli, Donna Stewart, Connie Morphet, Melody Ouellette, Paul Myre and Lori Clark
Media: Michael Erskine, The Manitoulin Expositor
During its Closed Session, the Board discussed Human Resources and Property Issues.
Resolution 21-87
Moved by: Paul Schoppmann
Seconded by: Richard Stephens
WHEREAS the Manitoulin-Sudbury DSB has reviewed the COVID-19 Vaccination Policy – Issue Report and the new Human Resources Policy C.5.08 COVID-19 Vaccinations.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Manitoulin-Sudbury DSB approve the COVID-19 Vaccination Policy – Issue Report and the Human Resources Policy C.5.08 COVID-19 Vaccinations effective November 25, 2021.
Carried
Resolution 21-88
Moved by: Vern Gorham
Seconded by: Ted Lovelace
WHEREAS the Property Committee has reviewed the tender results for the new Seniors Apartment complex in the Town of Northeastern Manitoulin & the Islands in Little Current; and
WHEREAS the Property Committee is recommending that the Board proceed with the construction and award the tender.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Manitoulin-Sudbury DSB accepts the Property Committees recommendations and awards the tender to Capital Construction in the amount of $4,917,981 plus applicable taxes.
FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED that the Manitoulin-Sudbury DSB finance the construction of the new build from our current accounts.
Carried
3.0 Adoption of Agenda
Resolution No. 21-89
Moved by: Richard Stephens
Seconded by: Maureen Van Alstine
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Agenda be adopted
Carried
No Conflicts declared
Resolution No. 21-90
Moved by: Richard Malette
Seconded by: Richard Stephens
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Minutes of the September 23, 2021 meeting be approved.
Carried
Connie Morphet, Director of Finance and Administration walked the Board through the Little Current Place Non-Profit Mortgage Renewal – Issue Report.
The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH) currently manages the mortgage renewals for the Little Current Non-Profit. MMAH recently advised that the People’s Trust Group has offered to renew the mortgage on January 1, 2022, at a rate of 3.85% for the remaining 57 months, until the mortgage is fully amortized.
The balance of the mortgage on December 31, 2021, at Little Current Place will be approximately $347,036. The DSB staff and the Little Current Housing Manager spoke with MMAH staff and were advised that Little Current is free to find their own financing but if they did, the Ministry would no longer handle their renewal.
The Manager of Little Current Place was advised to approach their bank and determine whether they could match or better the rate offered. In that discussion, the possibility of the DSB funding the mortgage from its reserve was raised. Ultimately the Board is responsible for Non-Profit Housing providers within our catchment area, so this would be an appropriate use of DSB funds. In conversation with the DSB auditors, this would be allowable.
The current reserve funds are earning in the neighborhood of 1% to 2% interest overall. The DSB does fund/mortgage its own buildings such as Little Current, Chapleau and Foleyet Paramedic stations at a 3% interest rate. If the DSB were to lend the money at 3% to Little Current Place both the Non-Profit and the DSB would benefit.
Resolution No. 21-91
Moved by: David Ham
Seconded by: Kevin Burke
WHEREAS the Manitoulin-Sudbury DSB has reviewed the Little Current Place Non-Profit Mortgage Renewal – Issue Report.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Manitoulin-Sudbury DSB approve the Little Current Place Non-Profit Mortgage Renewal – Issue Report and authorize the CAO to remove up to $350,000 from the Working Funds Reserve to fund Little Current Place Non-Profit mortgage at the rate of 3% interest for a term of 5 years.
Carried
Finance Committee
Connie Morphet, Director of Finance and Administration walked the Board through the 2022 Budget highlights, outlining the 1.91% increase to the Municipal share.
Resolution No. 21-92
Moved by: Paul Schoppmann
Seconded by: Richard Malette
WHEREAS the Finance Committee met on November 9, 2021 to review the Finance Committee Terms of Reference, Annual Budget Guidelines, 2022 Allocation of Program Support, 2021 Annual Report on Reserves, 2021 Deployment Plan Pilot Update – Issue Report and 2022 Budget estimates; and
WHEREAS the Finance Committee is recommending to the Board the approval of the 2022 Allocation of Program Support, the 2021 Deployment Plan Pilot Update - Issue Report and 2022 Budget estimates.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Manitoulin-Sudbury DSB accepts the Finance Committee’s recommendation and approves the 2022 Allocation of Program Support and the 2021 Deployment Plan Pilot Update - Issue Report; and
FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Manitoulin-Sudbury DSB accepts the recommendation of the Finance Committee and approves the 2022 Operating Budget in the amount of $41,787,617 gross and municipal share in the amount of $10,868,220 which represents an increase of $203,859 or 1.91% in the municipal share.
Carried
Donna Stewart, Associate CAO, walked the board through the CAO Quarterly Report. This report will be shared with member municipalities who are encouraged to add it to Council agenda packages.
Resolution 21-93
Moved by: Richard Malette
by: Ned Whynott
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the 2021 CAO Third Quarter Activity Report be approved as presented.
Carried
Connie Morphet, Director of Finance and Administration walked the Board through the Third Quarter Unaudited Financial Report which is forecasting a year-end surplus of $867,199.
Resolution 21-94
Moved by: Maureen Van Alstine
Seconded by: Kevin Burke
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the 2021 Third Quarter Unaudited Financial Report be approved as presented.
Carried
Lori Clark, Acting Director of Integrated Social Services walked the Board through the Canadian Mental Health Association Sudbury/Manitoulin Year End Report.
When the Ontario Government declared a State of Emergency in March 2020 due to the ongoing risk posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the way the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) conducted services was impacted.
The Manitoulin-Sudbury DSB implemented precautionary measures to protect the wellbeing of its tenants and closed all common rooms within our buildings. This resulted in the suspension of in person groups and brief services offered in these buildings, including the suspension of Community Paramedicine Clinics.
Individuals accessing support through our Housing Case Management program were offered telephone or virtual services. Even with the switch to virtual services from in person for part of the year the program remained successful and adjusted to the needs of the tenants.
Brief services were available to all tenants residing in Manitoulin-Sudbury DSB buildings, regardless of an active referral in the Housing Case Management program.
There is a growing body of evidence reporting on the impact that COVID-19 has had on the mental health of individuals. Due to several lockdowns, Stay at Home Orders, and a general fear around the virus, people have been isolated in their units and unable to go about their daily life as usual. This change in routine, excessive loneliness, and feeling of not knowing what the future holds could contribute to poor mental health and increased substance use, ultimately resulting in calls to emergency services.
Resolution 21-95
Moved by: Vern Gorham
Seconded by: Richard Stephens
WHEREAS the Manitoulin-Sudbury DSB has reviewed the Canadian Mental Health Association Sudbury/Manitoulin Year End Report.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Manitoulin-Sudbury DSB approve the Canadian Mental Health Association Sudbury/Manitoulin Year End Report and authorize staff to action the recommendations contained within the report.
Carried
Paul Myre, Chief of Paramedic Services reviewed the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care’s announcement Ontario Expands CP for Long-Term Care Program.
The Ontario government is investing $82.5 million to expand the existing Community Paramedicine for Long-Term Care program to an additional 22 communities, making it available to all eligible seniors across Ontario. This program, which is fully funded by the provincial government, provides additional care for seniors in the comfort of their own homes before admission into long-term care. The program was piloted across five communities in October 2020 and is currently active in 33 communities. With this expansion, the program will be available to all eligible seniors across Ontario
Lori Clark, Acting Director of Integrated Social Services walked the Board through the 2021 Homelessness Enumeration Summary Report.
As reported in April of this year Service Managers were required to enumerate homelessness in 2021, using a Point-in-Time (PiT) Count to provide a snapshot of homelessness in their communities. The Point-in-Time Count includes collecting demographic information about people experiencing homelessness using a set of 17 common questions that align with the enumeration approach used by the federal Reaching Home program.
The Manitoulin-Sudbury DSB utilized the assistance of community agencies to assist in the enumeration by completing enumeration surveys with homeless individuals identified during the enumeration time frame. The PiT Count was carried out over the week of October 4th to October 8th, 2021.
For this enumeration, homelessness includes people who are, unsheltered, emergency sheltered or provisionally sheltered.
In total, 22 surveys were submitted, with 4 surveys screened out for a total of 18 completed surveys. Of those 18 surveys, 15 participants agreed to register on the by name list. Participants were screened out if they responded they had already answered the survey, to avoid duplication of responses, if they were unwilling to participate in the survey, and if they had somewhere to stay the night of the PiT Count date that was permanent and/or safe.
While the 2021 enumeration did not provide the information that was expected and does not accurately reflect the picture of homelessness in the Manitoulin-Sudbury DSB area, it provides an opportunity to reflect and adjust the approaches currently in place.
The Manitoulin-Sudbury DSB will create a network which involves community partners in planning for wrap around supports for the homeless population and will serve as the committee to spearhead any other enumeration work required in future.
Resolution 21-96
Moved by: David Ham
Seconded by: Arthur Hayden
WHEREAS the Manitoulin-Sudbury District Services Board has reviewed the 2021 Homelessness Enumeration Summary Report.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Manitoulin-Sudbury District Services Board approve the 2021 Homelessness Enumeration Summary Report and authorize staff to action the recommendations contained within the report.
Carried
Lori Clark, Acting Director of Integrated Social Services reviewed a press release from Manitoulin Family Resources (MFR).
MFR confirmed the Social Services Relief Phase 2 funding provided to them of $1,073,838 to allow for significant improvements to operations in both their Violence Against Women Prevention and Food Security Programs. All work is expected to be completed by the end of 2021.
Resolution 21-97
Moved by: Ted Lovelace
Seconded by: Richard Malette
BE IT RESOLVED THAT we do now adjourn at 11:10 a.m. until the next regular meeting to be held on January 27, 2022
Carried
