Greenstone public meetings in 2024
12 substantive meetings from 2024, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Regular Council
The council directed staff to allocate supplemental assessment revenues for a $280,000 tri‑axle truck, a $320,000 skidsteer, and $940,000 to the Fire & Emergency Services Equipment Reserve Fund. It approved several by‑laws, including fire prevention, fireworks regulation, the Committee of Adjustment appointment, 2025 fees, and a $5,400,000 interim borrowing authorisation. The council also approved water and wastewater rate increases and the 2025 tax‑supported budgets.
- Allocate $280,000 for a new tri‑axle truck and $320,000 for a skidsteer from supplemental assessment revenues
- Allocate $940,000 to the Fire & Emergency Services Equipment Reserve Fund for new fire apparatus
- Approve By‑Law 24‑70 to regulate fireworks displays within Greenstone
- Approve By‑Law 24‑68 (fire prevention) and By‑Law 24‑69 (fire prevention programming policy)
- Approve Interim Borrowing By‑Law 24‑73 authorising $5,400,000 temporary borrowing for 2025
Regular Council
Greenstone Council will review draft 2025 budgets for water, wastewater, and general taxation, and will consider approving new fire prevention by-laws and a permanent fire services manager.
- 2025 Water and Wastewater Budget
- 2025 Tax Supported Budget
- Fire Prevention By-Law
- Fireworks By-Law
- Poplar Lodge Park Electrical Solution
Regular Council
The Greenstone Council will adopt the 2023 audited financial statements and approve the October 28 minutes. It will direct staff to implement a new water and sewer billing policy, including a $12,000 software upgrade and a 20% rate relief for low‑income residents. The council will also authorize a $152,640 change order for the Main Street reconstruction project and award a $511,892 contract for a new water‑supply fire apparatus. A request for up to $50,000 to fund a municipal seniors program in Longlac will be considered.
- Adopt 2023 Audited Financial Statements
- Approve $12,000 software update for electronic water and sewer billing
- Authorize $152,640 Change Order #2 for Main Street reconstruction (using NORDS funding)
- Award $511,892 contract to Battleshield Industries Ltd for a new water‑supply fire apparatus
- Consider application for up to $50,000 to operate a seniors program in Longlac
Regular Council
The Greenstone Council will decide whether to award a contract to Fort Garry Fire Trucks Ltd. for three new pumper/tanker fire apparatus at a cost of $2,011,938 plus applicable HST. Other items include directing staff to remove 100 First Street North from the surplus list, approving a $9,900 statue acquisition with related bursary and coating costs, and considering an application to the Housing‑Enabling Water Systems Fund for storm sewer work on Centennial Drive and Skinner Avenue. Several by‑laws, including an advertising policy for community centres and an updated asset management plan, will also be voted on.
- Award contract to Fort Garry Fire Trucks Ltd. for three fire apparatus – $2,011,938 plus HST
- Remove 100 First Street North (Geraldton Ward) from surplus list
- Approve acquisition of a statue – $9,900, plus $2,500 bursary and up to $3,000 coating
- Approve application to HEWSF for storm sewer rehabilitation on Centennial Drive and Skinner Ave (Longlac Ward)
- Adopt By‑Law 24‑60 for Advertising in Community Centre Facilities Policy
Regular Council
Council is reviewing a service delivery report that proposes closing several community centre facilities and gymnasiums. The meeting also includes proposals for tax and utility rate increases to fund asset management and a library board update.
- Proposed immediate closure of fitness gyms at Geraldton and Nakina Community Centres
- Proposed discontinuation of ice surfaces at Beardmore Community Centre after 2024/2025 season
- Proposed 2.6% tax levy increase, 3.3% water rate increase, and 1.7% wastewater levy increase
- Proposed new community centres in Beardmore and Nakina to be constructed by 2028
- Application for Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund for Geraldton Community Centre repairs
Regular Council
Council will vote on several items including the updated Asset Management Plan and a public‑consultation process for an Infrastructure Renewal Fee for unconnected lots. The council will adopt the 2025 Budget Framework, allocating up to $469,200 from tax levy increases and approving grants of $282,240 (Canada) and $887,959 (Ontario) for road resurfacing, as well as rate increases for water and wastewater services. A construction contract for the Longlac Water Treatment Plant Filter Project will be awarded to LH North for $3,431,851.84, with a 10 % contingency of $337,223 and authorization of up to $1,456,681.79 in long‑term debt. Additional by‑law approvals include the Library Board composition, Adult Entertainment Establishment Licensing, appointments of a By‑law Officer and Animal Control Officer, and adoption of emergency management and power‑of‑entry by‑laws.
- Award Longlac Water Treatment Plant Filter Project contract to LH North for $3,431,851.84, plus $337,223 contingency and $1,456,681.79 debt authorization
- Approve 2025 Budget Framework: $469,200 levy increase, $282,240 Canada Community‑Building Fund grant, $887,959 Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund grant, 2.6% levy increase, 1.0% fire master plan levy, 3.3% water rate increase, 1.7% wastewater rate increase
- Direct staff to commence public consultation on Infrastructure Renewal Fee for unconnected lots
- Approve updated Asset Management Plan and direct preparation of a by‑law to adopt it
- Approve Library Board By‑law, Adult Entertainment Establishment Licensing By‑law, and appointments of By‑law Officer and Animal Control Officer
Special Meeting
The Greenstone Council convened a special meeting to receive an education and training session on responsibilities under the Statutory Standard of Care: Safe Drinking Water Act. After the public portion, the council moved to a closed (in‑camera) session to consider confidential matters related to the training. The meeting concluded with a recommendation to adopt By‑law 24‑51 to confirm the proceedings of the meeting.
- Education and training session on Responsibilities Under the Statutory Standard of Care: Safe Drinking Water Act
- Closed (in‑camera) session to consider confidential matters related to the training
- Adoption of By‑law 24‑51 to confirm the proceedings of the September 16, 2024 meeting
Regular Council
Council is deciding on an updated Asset Management Plan and a service delivery review for cemeteries, including new record software. The meeting also includes discussions on a Power of Entry By-Law and economic development feasibility studies in the Geraldton Ward.
- Contract for Sewer and Storm Water CLI-ECA Compliance awarded to Municipal Water Solutions Inc. for $76,543.87
- IT Managed Services Provider contract awarded to Algoma Technology Services for $74,329.57 annually
- Proposal to implement Stone Orchard Software in 2025 for cemetery records
- Proposed feasibility study for waterfront development on Kenogamisis Lake in Geraldton Ward
- Proposed study of water and sewer capacity for municipal land in Geraldton Ward
Regular Council
The Greenstone Council will direct staff to rename "Indian Road" in the Longlac Ward to "Reconciliation Road" and will skip a public naming contest. The meeting also includes approval of the July 22 minutes, receipt of several monthly service reports, and the adoption of proclamations for Franco‑Ontarian Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Additional motions authorize a half‑day service reduction for a staff appreciation BBQ and approve a by‑law appointing a Property Standards Committee.
- Road Renaming: Change "Indian Road" to "Reconciliation Road" in Longlac Ward, no public contest
- Staff BBQ: Temporary half‑day reduction of services for a staff appreciation event
- Proclamation of Franco‑Ontarian Day (Sept 25) for the province
- Proclamation of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (Sept 30) by the council
- By‑law 24‑48: Appointment of members to the Property Standards Committee
Regular Council
The Greenstone Council approved several by‑laws, including the removal of Caramat fire hydrants and a funding agreement with the Association of Municipalities of Ontario for the Canada Community‑Building Fund for a ten‑year period beginning April 1 2024. The council also adopted changes to the Emergency Management Program and Emergency Response Plan and directed the clerk to prepare a by‑law for its adoption at the August 12 meeting. Additional decisions covered a municipal website upgrade, a minor renovation at the Geraldton Administrative Office, and an Office Closure Policy.
- Approve changes to the Emergency Management Program and Emergency Response Plan (by‑law to be prepared for August 12 meeting)
- Approve By‑law 24‑45 to permanently remove Caramat fire hydrants from service
- Approve By‑law 24‑46 to enter a 10‑year funding agreement with the AMO for the Canada Community‑Building Fund starting April 1 2024
- Approve municipal website upgrade and direct staff to include the cost in the 2025 capital budget
- Approve Service Delivery Review actions: minor renovation at Geraldton Administrative Office, Office Closure Policy, and development of a Customer Service Standards Policy
Regular Council
The Council will review a service delivery plan that includes divesting the Nakina daycare, Geraldton daycare, and Beardmore ambulance buildings. The meeting also covers budget allocations for rural signage and appointments for by-law enforcement.
- Divestment of Nakina daycare, Geraldton daycare, and Beardmore ambulance buildings
- Creation of a new Facility Maintenance Operator position
- $17,000 for rural residential area signage in the 2025 Capital Budget
- Appointment of Allan Gordon as By-law Enforcement Officer
- Adoption of the Snow Windrow Removal Program Policy
Regular Council
The council is reviewing a new Snow Windrow Removal Program Policy and applications for senior center funding. Discussions include using reserve funds for community events and equipment purchases. A presentation on road pavement conditions was also scheduled.
- Application for $50,000 SALC funding for Geraldton Elderly Person Centre
- Approval of new Snow Windrow Removal Program Policy
- Use of $8,315 from Social Services Reserve Fund for community programs
- ACAP funding application for a plow truck and sander at R. Elmer Ruddick Nakina Airport
- Agreement with Thunder Bay Tug Services Ltd for tug boat mechanical parts