6648 Road 506, Plevna, Ontario K0H 2M0 Tel: (613) or Fax: (613)

Transcription

1 6648 Road 506, Plevna, Ontario K0H 2M0 Tel: (613) or Fax: (613) SPECIAL COUNCIL PUBLIC MEETING RE: NEXTERA S REQUEST FOR MUNICIPAL SUPPORT FOR PROPOSED WIND POWER PROJECTS WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015 AT 7:00 P.M. CLAR-MILL FIRE HALL UPSTAIRS MEETING ROOM, 6648 ROAD 506, PLEVNA, ONTARIO 1. CALL TO ORDER 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA 3. DISCLOSURES OF PECUNIARY INTEREST AND GENERAL NATURE THEREOF 4. DELEGTIONS None 5. COMMUNICATIONS a) Request for a Resolution of Support from Keep Hydro Public, dated June 2, 2015; 6. COUNCIL COMMENTS ON REQUEST FROM NEXTERA FOR MUNICIPAL SUPPORT a) Draft Motion for Council s consideration and enclosure letter from Mayor Higgins to Premier Wynne. 7. CONFIRMATORY BY-LAW a) #62-15 Confirming By-law for June 10, 2015 Special Council Meeting. 8. ADJOURNMENT

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6 Date: June 10, 2015 Moved by: RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CORPORATION OF THE TOWNSHIP OF NORTH FRONTENAC Seconded by: Resolution Number -15 WHEREAS there are two (2) proposed Industrial Wind Turbine Projects within the Township of North Frontenac, being Northpoint I and Northpoint II; AND WHEREAS the Council of The Corporation of the Township of North Frontenac has received a request from NextEra Energy Canada with respect to the two proposed Industrial Wind Turbine Projects for a Municipal Support Resolution; AND WHEREAS Council has received input from the Community both in favour and not in favour of the Industrial Wind Turbine Projects, with a clear majority opposed to having Industrial Wind Turbines in the Township of North Frontenac; AND WHEREAS the Township of North Frontenac has defined its vision to preserve our unique and pristine natural environment to promote a strong and resilient rural community; AND WHEREAS the Township of North Frontenac has been designated a Dark Sky Preserve by the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada; AND WHEREAS the Premier of Ontario has conveyed the Ontario Government s desire to limit Industrial Wind Turbine projects to communities that are Willing Hosts ; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Council of The Corporation of the Township of North Frontenac will not provide a Municipal Support Resolution; DRAFT AND THAT Council declares the Township of North Frontenac as Not a Willing Host for Industrial Wind Turbine projects; AND THAT Council realizes the two proposed projects could still proceed without Municipal Support, as per the Green Energy Act; however, Council will continue to be diligent and do what is within its power to oppose these projects if a Proponent is awarded a contract to proceed; AND THAT the Chief Administrative Officer is instructed to provide a copy of this Resolution to NextEra Energy Canada in response to their request for Municipal Support;

7 AND THAT Council approves the draft letter as prepared by the Mayor and included in the Agenda and instructs the Chief Administrative Officer to forward the letter to Premier Kathleen Wynne; the Minister of the Environment; the Minister of Energy; the Minister of Natural Resources, the Minister of Rural Affairs, Randy Hillier, MPP; the Board of Directors of the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO); the Council of the County of Frontenac; the Council of the Township of Lanark Highlands, the Council of the Township of Madawaska Highlands; and the Council of the Township of Addington Highlands; AND THAT Council instructs the Chief Administrative Officer to prepare a Notice to communicate this information to the Residents of the Township of North Frontenac to be added to the Township s website and posted at the Municipal Office; and to send a copy of this Resolution and the Mayor s cover letter to all Business and Cottage Association contacts and all addresses provided by Residents in their response on the proposed wind turbines. Carried Mayor DRAFT

8 June 10, 2015 Kathleen Wynne, Premier Legislative Building Queen's Park Toronto ON M7A 1A1 Dear Premier: 6648 Road 506 Plevna, Ontario K0H 2M0 Tel: (613) or , Fax: (613) On June 10, 2015 the Council of the Township of North Frontenac met to discuss a request from NextEra Energy Canada to provide municipal support for two industrial wind turbine projects in the Township of North Frontenac. The two projects are named Northpoint I for up to 50 wind turbines and a transmission line in the Township of North Frontenac and Northpoint II for up to 100 wind turbines with 7 in the Township of North Frontenac and the remainder in the Township of Addington Highlands and a transmission line in the Township of North Frontenac connecting Northpoint II to Northpoint I. The short term benefits would have been potential employment for North Frontenac residents and local companies for construction. We would also incur added tax revenue, and if we had provided support the Proponent would have provided a Community Vibrancy Fund of about $160K per year. Now that we have decided not to support this project we have lost out on the potential Community Vibrancy Fund if this project still proceeds without our support, as it could based on the Green Energy Act and a successful bid by the Proponent. DRAFT The Township of North Frontenac should have been notified by the Ministry of Energy about this project long before now and not have had to find out about such projects through a newspaper article in March of this year. Based on the fact that we never heard about this project until March we were put at a distinct disadvantage to ensure we understood all the facts with these two projects. In March we were told we would only have to provide support for one project that being Northpoint I. On June 6 th we were informed we will now have a portion of the Northpoint II wind turbines in the Township of North Frontenac and an added transmission line.

9 For the last month North Frontenac Council s total focus has been on understanding everything it could in a relatively short time. There is a significant amount of information to digest and to try and determine what is fact and what is not is a daunting task. From Our Strategic Plan The Township of North Frontenac is a 1, square kilometer lower-tier municipality, part of the County of Frontenac, and home to over 1,842 permanent residents (and 7,000+ seasonal residents). The low density of the population (1.7 people per square kilometer) makes for the preservation of an amazing landscape. Also, the Township of North Frontenac is beautifully set in the heart of eastern Ontario's cottage country in the Land O Lakes Region. For these reasons it one of the best destinations for outdoor activities and relaxing living in southeastern Ontario. Cottages and campsites dot the shores of the Township's many clean lakes. Our expansive, natural, and undisturbed wilderness boasts infinite opportunities for outdoor recreation. Located entirely on the Canadian Shield, the landscape can be rough, but at the same time provide for scenic backdrops and vistas. The natural beauty, wildlife, outdoor activities and the tranquility of the Township of North Frontenac is what most residents and visitors love about the area. The Township of North Frontenac has the darkest skies in southern Ontario and we are easily reached by millions of potential visitors from Southern Ontario, Eastern Quebec and Northern New York. In addition to providing education and information we will have public star gazing nights with the assistance of expert astronomers and Astro-photographers. Our Mission The Township of North Frontenac's mission is the effective, efficient and sustainable delivery of services to its citizens. Our Vision The Township of North Frontenac will preserve our unique and pristine natural environment to promote a strong and resilient rural community. Considerations Council of the Township of North Frontenac considered the following bullets in detail before reaching a conclusion on whether to support these projects or not: DRAFT Economic benefit. Massive Road system. Deforestation. Loss of scenery. Loss of wildlife. Potential contamination of the land. Potential for wind turbine fires. Devaluation of property already started for those trying to sell. Decommissioning of towers after life expectancy - $450K - $1M costs per turbine. Residential infighting and splits in the community with the for and not for proponents.

10 Majority of residents are opposed ~ 86% based on a documented lake association survey and 90% for an undocumented telephone survey done by a resident and communications to the township from our residents either for or against the project. Does not meet our strategic vision or our direction/intent for economic development and resident attraction. Negative impact to our dark sky preserve; a unique environmental resource we can boast to be the first municipality in Canada to be designated a Dark Sky Preserve by the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada. Does Ontario really need this type of power generation? Resolution Rationale The Council of the Township of North Frontenac has passed the attached resolution based on the following: True representation of those who elected us to office. The key issues for residents are; o Devalued property o Loss of our pristine landscape o Environmental and wildlife impact o Health The vast majority of residents who voted us onto Council to represent them are not in favour. The project does not fit with our Vision statement for the Township of North Frontenac. There are too many unknowns about this project. As an unwilling host of industrial wind turbines it is our intent to continue to be diligent on these two projects and do everything within our power to ensure industrial wind turbines are never constructed in the Township of North Frontenac. We have a vision and strategy for economic development and to put this type of project in our Township would destroy our community spirit, our plans and the natural beauty that makes us unique and proud of what we have. The challenge of our municipality and other municipalities in Ontario is to be fiscally responsible while trying to mange all the downloaded services being put on our shoulders. To that end the temptation of increased taxes and the community vibrancy fund was tempting. But when you actually analyze the long term impact of industrial wind turbines what we would have given up in return for a miniscule amount of money, when put into perspective, would not do any favours for our current residents and visitors, our future generation, our Township or for our future Councils. In addition we feel the Green Energy Act should be discarded or at the very least rewritten to restore the rights of a Municipality. The potential that this could still go ahead even after we do not support this, and are an unwilling host is not true democracy. DRAFT We implore the Premier of Ontario and Minister of Energy to take this resolution and similar resolutions from other municipalities very seriously. Like us you were elected to office to set policy and support the people who put you in these positions. If the policy is flawed, as it is in this case, then fix it. The Government of Ontario has stated they are going to provide more focussed support for rural municipalities. The support you can give us now is by supporting our

11 resolution which would help us stay focussed on our strategic direction and our vision. It may take us longer to accomplish our goals rather than accepting this temptation put in front of us today, but we will be a much better and sustainable community long into the future. Sincerely Ron Higgins Mayor, Township of North Frontenac c.c. Minister of the Environment Minister of Energy Minister of Natural Resources Minister of Rural Affairs Randy Hillier, MPP Board of Directors of the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) Council of the County of Frontenac Council of the Township of Lanark Highlands Council of the Township of Madawaska Highlands Council of the Township of Addington Highlands DRAFT

12 THE CORPORATION OF THE TOWNSHIP OF NORTH FRONTENAC BY-LAW #62-15 CONFIRMING BY-LAW BEING A BY-LAW OF THE CORPORATION OF THE TOWNSHIP OF NORTH FRONTENAC TO CONFIRM ALL ACTIONS AND PROCEEDINGS OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CORPORATION OF THE TOWNSHIP OF NORTH FRONTENAC, FOR A SPECIAL MEETING HELD JUNE 10, 2015; WHEREAS Section 9 of the Municipal Act, S.O.2001, c.25 and amendments thereto provides that a municipality has the capacity, rights, powers and privileges of a natural person for the purpose of exercising its authority under this or any other Act; AND WHEREAS Subsection 2 of Section 11 of the Municipal Act, S.O. 2001, c.25 and amendments thereto provides that a lower-tier and an upper-tier municipality may pass by-laws respecting matters within the spheres of jurisdiction described in the Table to Subsection 2, subject to certain provisions; AND WHEREAS Section 5(3) of the Municipal Act S.O. 2001, c.25 A Municipal power, including a municipality s capacity, rights, powers and privileges under Section 9, shall be exercised by by-law unless the municipality is specifically authorized to do otherwise; AND WHEREAS it is deemed expedient that the proceedings of the Council of The Corporation of the Township of North Frontenac for the June 10, 2015 Special Council Meeting, be confirmed and adopted by by-law; NOW THEREFORE the Council of The Corporation of the Township of North Frontenac hereby enacts as follows: 1. THAT all actions and proceedings of the Council of The Corporation of the Township of North Frontenac taken at its Special Council Meeting held June 10, 2015 be confirmed as actions for which The Corporation of the Township of North Frontenac has the capacity, rights, powers and privileges of a natural person; 2. THAT all actions and proceedings of the Council of The Corporation of the Township of North Frontenac at its Special Council Meeting held June 10, 2015 in respect of each recommendation contained in the Minutes and each motion and resolution passed and other actions taken by the Council of The Corporation of North Frontenac at the Meeting, are hereby sanctioned, ratified and confirmed as if all such proceedings were expressly embodied in this By-law; 3. THAT the Mayor and proper officials of The Corporation of the Township of North Frontenac are hereby authorized and directed to do all things necessary, and to obtain approvals where required, to give effect to the actions passed and taken by Council at the said Meeting; 4. THAT this by-law shall come into force as of the final passing thereof. READ a first and second time this 10 th day of June, READ a third time and passed this 10 th day of June, Mayor Clerk