Council Highlights - April 27, 2020
Moment of remembrance
Mayor Marvin Junkin: "There is a noticeable void in Council tonight. Councillor Mike Ciolfi is not with us. Mike passed away on April 13 and his presence around this horseshoe, virtual or not, will be profoundly missed by staff, Council, and the people he represented.
The outpouring of love and support for Mike was tremendous. Upon learning of his death, the community spoke as loudly and passionately for Mike and his memory as he did for them on the many issues he tackled head on, focused on making Pelham the best community it could be.
Though there are many words to describe Mike and his contributions – dedicated, passionate, diligent, studious to name but a few – there are few words to describe the emptiness of his seat at Council. Weeks later, we are still at a loss for words.
I ask you remember Mike. That you remember his work. His passion. His dedication to his family, friends, and community. Mike was a titan, looming as large in life as he will in memory.
I would also like to take a minute to recognize those lost, and their families, in the horrific events in Nova Scotia. Loss of life, for any reason, is difficult to navigate and at times, understand. To lose loved ones to such a senseless act is even more difficult. My sympathies go out to all of those affected. May those lost ones rest in peace, and may those remembering them have brighter days ahead."
Municipal Heritage Committee formation on hold
Councillor Bob Hildebrandt deferred the creation of Pelham’s Municipal Heritage Committee, citing the COVID-19 pandemic as reason to pause.
Mayor Marvin Junkin, in favour of getting the ball rolling on the committee’s creation, said that by approving the committee at the April 27 meeting, the Town could get a head start.
“This isn’t time sensitive,” said Junkin. “But by doing it tonight we can put it out to the community and by the time this pandemic is starting to ease up, we will have candidates in line and we can have the discussion and select them and get that committee up in the fall.”
No timetable has been set for the return of this item to the Council agenda.
Short-term accommodations report on hold
Councillor Lisa Haun was in favour of accepting the short-term accommodations report for information, but not ready to cast a vote until Councillor Ron Kore was present.
Haun, noting the importance of the topic to Kore, suggested putting the vote to implement the reports minor changes until a later date.
Mayor Junkin and Councillor John Wink, voiced their position that, since Council had quorum, they had an obligation to make decisions before them. Council voted 3-2 to defer.
New Business
Town Emergency Management Plan; Councillor Haun put forth the following motion: THAT following a municipal and regional debrief of the response to the COVID-19 Pandemic, that the Town of Pelham engage an independent Emergency Management Consultant to conduct a comprehensive program and plan review of the Town's Emergency Management Business Continuity and Crisis Communication Capacity including the actions and decisions of the Town's Emergency Control Group in response to the public health emergency. The purpose of this is to assure that the Town's planning response and recovery plans are integrated and robust, taking into consideration Provincial best practices and areas for improvement; and that the report be available to the public;
AND FURTHER that a budget be considered for such purposes, recognizing that this may be referred to the 2021 Budget depending on the timing of the end of the Pandemic.