The meeting was called to order by the Warden at 7:00 p.m.
MOMENT OF SILENCE
A moment of silence was observed by members.
ROLL CALL
The Clerk reported that all councillors representing all districts of the Municipality were present:
- Warden Louise Halliday
- Deputy Warden Eddie Nickerson (7:02 p.m.)
- Councillor George El-Jakl
- Councillor Donna LeBlanc-Messenger
- Councillor Wilford Smith
- Councillor Larry Stewart
- Councillor Sean Strang
- Brian Holland, Municipal Clerk
DECLARATIONS OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST
There were no declarations of conflict of interest.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Moved by W. Smith and seconded by S. Strang that the minutes of the last previous meeting held April 28, 2008 be approved as circulated.
Motion carried unanimously.
MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
Power Outages
Council had previously sent a letter to the Nova Scotia Utility & Review Board regarding power outages in the Port LaTour/Baccaro areas. A response has been received from the Utility & Review Board indicating what steps Nova Scotia Power Inc. is taking to improve their service in these areas. This letter includes many of the same actions that were previously included in a letter from NSPI responding to the same concerns.
South West Nova Scotia Biosphere Reserve Association
This Association had previously sent correspondence to the Municipality requesting a grant for their organization. At that time Council had asked for further information regarding the organization’s financial statements. These statements have been received and circulated for information of members.
Page 2, Regular Meeting of Barrington Municipal Council, May 12, 2008
Resolution C080501
Moved by W. Smith and seconded by S. Strang that the Biosphere Association’s request for a grant be referred to the budget process for further consideration.
Motion carried unanimously.
CORRESPONDENCE
12 Month Notice Letter
A letter has been received by the Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities from Service Nova Scotia & Municipal Relations. In this letter the Minister informs the Union that a Municipal Auditor General will be put in place some time over the course of the next year. Putting an Office of Municipal Auditor General in place means it will result in additional expenditures for municipalities to cover the cost of the office which will be instrumental in enhancing accountability to taxpayers. The Union is also informed in the same letter that inspection of tourist facilities will no longer be done by the Department of Tourism, Culture & Heritage. As a result, in accordance with the Fire Safety Act of Nova Scotia, the responsibility for fire safety inspections of such premises will lie with municipalities.
Request to Lease Pasture Land
A letter has been received from Mr. Robert Jackson, Sr. requesting the lease of municipally owned pasture land at Christie’s Point in Brass Hill. Some question arose as to what type of animals, and how many animals will be placed on the pasture land by Mr. Jackson.
Resolution C080502
Moved by D. Messenger and seconded by S. Strang that Mr. Jackson be asked to provide additional information indicating what type of animals, and how many animals he is requesting to pasture in this area.
Motion carried unanimously.
Rosalin Nickerson Care Fund Request
Correspondence has been received from Shelley d’Eon requesting the Municipality to provide use of the Barrington Municipal Arena, free of charge, on the evening of May 30, 2008. A “Battle of the Bands” will be held that evening to raise funds for the Rosalin Nickerson Care Fund. Mrs. d’Eon has indicated that an appropriate Certificate of Liability Insurance, in the amount of $2,000,000, will be provided prior to the event.
Resolution C080503
Moved by L. Stewart and seconded by W. Smith that the Municipality rent the Arena to the Rosalin Nickerson Care Fund on the evening of May 30, 2008, at the appropriate rental rate, and that a donation of an equivalent amount be made to the Rosalin Nickerson Care Fund for this event.
The Warden then requested the Deputy Warden to assume the Chair while she addressed this matter.
Page 3, Regular Meeting of Barrington Municipal Council, May 12, 2008
Having completed her address of this matter, the Warden then resumed the Chair.
The division was then taken on the motion.
Motion carried unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS
Junior C Hockey Tournament
Stephen Crowell appeared before the meeting for the purpose of identifying concerns regarding the Junior C Hockey Tournament to be held in April of 2009. This tournament is the Maritime and Northern Junior C Hockey Championship which will be taking place early in April of 2009. The local Sea Star Ice Dogs hockey team will be hosting the tournament. It will consist of representative teams from Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Ninavut, along with the host team. One of the criteria for hosting this tournament is that there be five dressing rooms available so that each team will have a dressing room. At the present time the fifth dressing room that is available at the Barrington Municipal Arena is not believed to be adequate and some alternative arrangements will need to be made.
Resolution C080504
Moved by W. Smith and seconded by L. Stewart that Municipal Staff consult with the team representatives and make a recommendation to the Committee of the Whole, at which time the team representatives will be present to discuss any proposed changes that will satisfy the criteria.
Motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Crowell then retired from the meeting.
REPORT OF WARDEN
The Warden reported attending the following events:
- Volunteer Dinner, April 29, 2008
- South West Shore Development Authority Meeting, April 30, 2008
- Forest Ridge Academy Volunteer Days, May 1, 2008
- Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities Spring Conference, May 8th & 9th, 2008
The Warden reported on various aspects of these meetings and conferences. In particular, she addressed the matter of a Code of Conduct which was discussed at the Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities Conference.
Resolution C080505
Moved by E. Nickerson and seconded by S. Strang that a letter be sent to the Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities Executive Director, Mr. Ken Simspon, asking what was the origin of the Code of Conduct being proposed by the UNSM. In particular, was this matter originated by elected municipal officials or by UNSM Staff.
Motion carried unanimously.
Page 4, Regular Meeting of Barrington Municipal Council, May 12, 2008
CONTINUATION OF CORRESPONDENCE
Two additional matters of correspondence that were received this evening were added to the meeting at this time.
Youth Criminal Justice Act
Correspondence has been received from the Provincial Minister of Justice. This correspondence is in response to the Municipality’s previous concern expressed over the Youth Criminal Justice Act. In this correspondence the Minister indicates the Province’s actions in regards to requesting changes to the Youth Criminal Justice Act by the Federal Government, and also its initiatives in regard to addressing the root causes of youth crime throughout the province.
Water Quality
Correspondence has been received from the Department of Environment regarding drinking water quality throughout the Province. Pamphlets have also been received explaining water quality and the various aspects of determining water quality. These pamphlets and information are available to councillors and the public at the Municipal Office.
REPORT OF COUNCILLORS
Councillor Wilford Smith
Councillor Smith indicated that he had attended the Volunteer Dinner as well as a local fundraiser in District 4.
Councillor Donna LeBlanc-Messenger
Councillor Messenger has just recently returned from vacation. She related the content of an email she had received regarding the upcoming Nova Scotia Marathon.
Councillor George El-Jakl
Councillor El-Jakl indicated that he had not attended any committee meetings recently. He also indicated that the work had recently begun on the Wood’s Harbour Project.
Deputy Warden Eddie Nickerson
Deputy Warden Nickerson indicated that he had attended the Volunteer Dinner and a Battle of the Atlantic Ceremony held at the Barrington Municipal High School.
Councillor Larry Stewart
Councillor Stewart indicated that he had attended the Volunteer Dinner and the Bay Side Home Building Committee Meeting. Councillor Stewart indicated that the construction at Bay Side Home was due to start in early September.
Page 5, Regular Meeting of Barrington Municipal Council, May 12, 2008
Councillor Sean Strang
Councillor Strang indicated that he had also attended the Bay Side Home Building Committee Meeting and reported on recommendations to Council from the Committee of the Whole.
Scallop Fishery
Resolution C080506
Moved by S. Strang and seconded by W. Smith that the Municipality request the Minister of Fisheries to meet with Barrington Municipal Council and representatives of local fishermen as soon as possible in order to discuss the affect that the scallop fishery is having on the local lobster fishery, and that this be done in the immediate future as the scallop fishery in this area is due to start in early June.
There then followed much discussion regarding this meeting. Also in attendance at the meeting this evening were Mr. Michael Newell and Mr. Joseph Larkin who are both local fishermen. These gentlemen represented the local fishermen who had previously met with Municipal Council. Council consulted with both of these gentlemen in regards to the involvement of Municipal Council in meeting with the Minister.
Moved by E. Nickerson and seconded by G. El-Jakl that the previous motion be amended by deleting Barrington Municipal Council from the motion.
The division was then requested on the amendment.
Amendment carried unanimously.
The division was then requested on the main motion as amended.
Motion carried unanimously.
Resolution C080507
Moved by S. Strang and seconded by W. Smith that a copy of this request to the Minister be also sent to our Member of Parliament, Mr. Gerald Keddy, and to our MLA, Mr. Sterling Belliveau, and to the other municipal units in South Western Nova Scotia.
Moved by L. Stewart and seconded by W. Smith that the previous motion be amended so that the request is also sent to the Nova Scotia Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture.
The division was then requested on the amendment.
Amendment carried unanimously.
The division was then requested on the amended motion.
Motion carried unanimously.
Page 6, Regular Meeting of Barrington Municipal Council, May 12, 2008
Barrington Regional Curling Club
Resolution C080508
Moved by S. Strang and seconded by G. El-Jakl that the Municipality pay the outstanding principal and interest costs on the Barrington Regional Curling Club debenture, and that the Curling Club itself will continue to operate the facility without any further assistance from the Municipality, with the exception that Municipal employees will assist with start-up and shut-down, and if necessary repairs to equipment, if possible, in order to further reduce expenditures.
Motion carried unanimously.
Resolution C080509
Moved by S. Strang and seconded by W. Smith that a councillor be appointed to the Barrington Regional Curling Club Board of Directors and that Councillor Stewart who has agreed to serve on the Board be the councillor so appointed, and also that the Curling Club be requested to change its meeting night so that it is not in conflict with meetings of Barrington Municipal Council.
Motion carried unanimously.
Department of Transportation
Resolution C080510
Moved by S. Strang and seconded by G. El-Jakl that the Department of Transportation be contacted and requested to indicate what plans they have for the repair of the bridge at the intersection of Highway #3 and the Forbes Point Road.
Motion carried unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS
Interim Tax Billing Policy
A proposed Interim Tax Billing Policy has been circulated to all councillors for their consideration and review. Members are given notice this evening that this proposed policy will be considered at the next subsequent meeting of Council.
Request for Proposals Re: Project Manager C.S.I. Sewer Project
The Municipality has previously advertised for proposals to provide project management services related to the planning, financing, design and construction of a new wastewater treatment facility and related collection system to serve the communities of North East Point, Centreville and Newellton on Cape Sable Island. The closing date for proposals for the Project Manager was 4:00 p.m. local time, Monday, May 12, 2008.
Page 7, Regular Meeting of Barrington Municipal Council, May 12, 2008
As a result of this advertisement six (6) proposals have been received. These proposals were opened by the Warden at this time. The proposals received were from:
- Pomerleau Engineering
- Dillon Consulting
- Horner Associates Ltd.
- Macdonnell Group
- MHBM
- CBCL
Resolution C080511
Moved by W. Smith and seconded by S. Strang that the proposals received be referred to the C.S.I. Sewer Project Steering Committee for evaluation and recommendation.
Motion carried unanimously.
Animal Control Report
Members were provided with an annual Animal Control Report for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008. During the year there were 112 calls received from residents concerning animal related problems and issues. These calls included 53 cats, 40 dogs and 19 other animals.
Permits Reports
Members were provided with a summary of permits issued during the previous fiscal year ending March 31, 2008. During the year there were 57 residential building permits issued at a total value of $3,298,200.00. There were also 41 commercial building permits issued at a value of $1,831,500.00. The total number of building permits issued during the year was 98, at a total value of $5,129,700.00. This is the second lowest value of permits in the last five years, although it is a considerable increase over the previous year.
CLOSED SESSION
Members then entered into Closed Session for the purpose of discussing a personnel matter.
Having completed their discussion of the personnel matter, members then returned to Open Session.
ADJOURNMENT
Having completed the business of the meeting, the meeting was adjourned at 9:23 p.m.