TEAM SHELBURNE COUNTY MEETING
June 7, 2007
June 7, 2007
The meeting was called to order by Warden Louise Halliday of the Municipality of the District of Barrington. She informed members that this meeting was requested by Barrington Municipal Council in order to deal with outstanding business that Team Shelburne County has yet to address.
The first order of business for the meeting is to elect a new Chairperson. Warden Halliday asked the Municipal Clerk, Brian Holland, to conduct the election of a Chair.
ELECTION OF CHAIR
It was confirmed that the following elected representatives of the municipal units were present:
- Town of Shelburne, Mayor Parker Comeau
- Town of Lockeport, Councillor Howard Roszel
- Town of Clarks Harbour, Mayor Leigh Stoddard
- Municipality of Shelburne, Warden Paulette Scott
- Municipality of Barrington, Warden Louise Halliday
Non-voting members also in attendance were:
- Robert Maillet, Office of Economic Development
- Doug Drane, Shelburne and Area Chamber of Commerce
- Cecil Brannen, Town of Clarks Harbour
- Doris Swaine, Representing MLA Sterling Belliveau
- Joyce Young, Town of Lockeport
- Brian Holland, Municipality of Barrington
Moved by Warden Paulette Scott and seconded by Mayor Leigh Stoddard that Warden Louise Halliday be nominated Chairperson of Team Shelburne County.
Warden Halliday accepted the nomination.
The Municipal Clerk then asked for nominations a further 3 times.
Having heard no further nominations the Municipal Clerk declared Warden Halliday elected Chairperson by acclamation.
RECORDING SECRETARY
The Chairperson then asked for nominations for the position of Recording Secretary so that minutes of meetings could be recorded and circulated to members.
Moved by Mayor Leigh Stoddard and seconded by Warden Paulette Scott that Municipal Clerk Brian Holland be nominated for the position of Recording Secretary.
Mr. Holland accepted the nomination.
After calling for nominations a further three times and having heard none, Warden Halliday declared the Municipal Clerk elected Recording Secretary by acclamation.
Page 2, Team Shelburne Meeting, June 7, 2007.
ADDITIONS TO AGENDA
The following item was added to the Agenda:
- Communication
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Moved by Mayor Stoddard and seconded by Warden Scott that the minutes of the last previous meeting held Tuesday, May 8, 2007, which were circulated to members with the Agenda for today’s meeting, be approved.
Motion carried unanimously.
CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED FROM
JOYCE CASE-HARLOW
Correspondence has been received from Ms. Harlow requesting that her client, Mr. Bernie Dorkrill, be permitted to make a presentation to Team Shelburne so that his proposal will receive fair and reasonable consideration.
There then followed much discussion regarding the letter from Ms. Harlow and the proposed presentation from Mr. Dockrill.
It was suggested that hearing this may create some legal uncertainties due to his presentation being made after the request for proposals had been closed and an agreement reached with another proponent.
Question was then raised as to whether or not an agreement has actually been signed with the other proponent.
Question was asked, is there a copy of the agreement and what agreement was made to extend the closing date for the agreement that is reportedly currently in place?
It was suggested that Mr. Dockrill be heard for information purposes only.
It was the general sentiment of members that more communication from the South West Shore Development Authority is necessary and it is necessary to have their representative at the Team Shelburne meetings in order to respond to various questions.
Moved by Mayor Stoddard and seconded by Councillor Roszel that Team Shelburne meet with Mr. Dockrill to discuss his presentation for information purposes only and that no decision would be made in regards to his presentation and that Mr. Dockrill is to provide a written copy of his presentation prior to the meeting, so that it can be circulated to members for their review. The presentation will be a public presentation and the information provided will be public, unless otherwise requested by Mr. Dockrill.
For Opposed
Warden Halliday Mayor Comeau
Mayor Stoddard Warden Scott
Councillor Roszel
Motion carried.
Page 3, Team Shelburne Meeting, June 7, 2007
Mr. Dockrill is to be informed that this presentation is for information purposes only and that Team Shelburne is gathering information and will not be making a decision as a result of his proposal.
There then followed some discussion of the procedure required, if the proponent does not fulfill the current agreement.
There then followed some discussion regarding the current agreement between the MacDonnell Group and Team Shelburne.
Moved by Mayor Comeau and seconded by Warden Scott that Team Shelburne be allowed to see the written agreement between the MacDonnell Group and Team Shelburne and that there be a public disclosure of the agreement at the next Team Shelburne Meeting. It was also included in the motion that if it is necessary for questions to be asked regarding this agreement, Team Shelburne will enter into closed session only if it is necessary and subject to the conditions required under the Municipal Government Act.
Motion carried unanimously.
TEAM SHELBURNE FUNDS
Several questions were raised regarding the summary of the funds remaining to the credit of Team Shelburne provided by the South West Shore Development Authority. The first question concerning this matter is “Why is it necessary to pay municipal property taxes on the former Youth Centre property ?” At the present time it is shown on the Property Records Database as being tax exempt.
Moved by Mayor Stoddard and seconded by Mayor Comeau that the South West Shore Development Authority be requested to provide reason why Team Shelburne is required to pay municipal property taxes for the former youth centre property when it is listed as being tax exempt on the Property Records Database.
Motion carried unanimously.
The second question brought up as a result of the statements provided was pertinent to the sewer charges on the property. Members wished to know if the sewer charge shown in the statement of $21,060.00 is a full sewer charge or somewhat less than a full sewer charge since the property is no longer actively used. Since there is now no activity at the site shouldn’t the sewer charges be reduced ?
Moved by Mayor Stoddard and seconded by Councillor Roszel that the South West Shore Development Authority be asked to provided the corresponding information regarding the validity of the sewer charges.
Motion carried unanimously.
There then followed some discussion regarding the activity that is apparently taking place at the site. Members are unsure as to what activity is actually taking place and the cost of that activity. As a result, members are seeking more information from the South West Shore Development Authority regarding the current state of Shelburne Place and its preparation for sale.
Page 4, Team Shelburne Meeting, June 7, 2007.
Moved by Mayor Stoddard and seconded by Councillor Roszel that Team Shelburne request the South West Shore Development Authority to provide information on the cost of cleaning, maintenance and preparation for sale of Shelburne Place which are now currently taking place and that a report indicating who is doing this work be provided indicating whether there is a contact with individuals and companies and what the costs of each of the activities that are needed and that this information be provided in writing within a week to the members of Team Shelburne.
Motion carried unanimously.
There then followed some discussion regarding the spending of funds by Team Shelburne. It was suggested that all spending must be approved by Team Shelburne.
Moved by Mayor Stoddard and seconded by Councillor Roszel that all spending of funds must be approved by Team Shelburne in future as of the end of June, 2007.
Motion carried unanimously.
Moved by Mayor Comeau and seconded by Warden Scott that a report on the analysis of expenditures, compared to budget, be provided by the South West Shore Development Authority at the next meeting of Team Shelburne to be circulated with the agenda and at the next meeting an individual from the South West Shore Development Authority be present to answer questions regarding specific expenditures.
Motion carried unanimously.
Moved by Mayor Stoddard and seconded by Mayor Comeau that any funds from the sale of Shelburne Place and any funds remaining from the original $600,000.00 provided by the Province, be put in a trust fund for Team Shelburne to be distributed according to Option 2 of the proposal previously provided by the Town of Clarks Harbour, once all legal issues outstanding with Team Shelburne are satisfied to the satisfaction of the members of Team Shelburne.
The proposal submitted by the Town of Clarks Harbour including Option 1 and Option 2 are attached to the minutes for information of members.
There then following much discussion regarding the distribution of funds. Members spoke both in favour of retaining all funds and providing them to the Shelburne Area Industrial Commission for the good of economic development throughout the county, as well as the benefit of having the funds distributed to the various municipal units who could then determine how they would be used for economic development in the county.
The sentiment was also expressed that the Provincial Government may have some concerns regarding how these funds are to be distributed. There was some question as to whether or not the Governance Study, which was previously approved by the Province, referred to a development fund or not.
The division was then taken on the motion and the division was as follows:
For Opposed
Warden Halliday Warden Scott
Mayor Stoddard
Councillor Roszel
Mayor Comeau
Motion carried.
Page 5, Team Shelburne Meeting, June 7, 2007.
There then followed some discussion regarding the funds now being held by the South West Shore Development Authority on behalf of Team Shelburne.
Moved by Councillor Roszel and seconded by Warden Scott that the South West Shore Development Authority be instructed to put all funds relating to Team Shelburne in a separate interest bearing account on behalf of Team Shelburne.
Motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Ed Cayer then passed an e-mail to the Chair.
At this time, the Chair entertained a comment from the public, Ms. Anne Smith indicated that she has requested access to all files regarding Team Shelburne from the Provincial Department of Economic Development. She has been informed that there is a fee of $754.00 in order to obtain this information. She is at this time awaiting a disclosure from the Province.
COMMUNICATION
It was suggested to members that in order to achieve transparency in the dealings of Team Shelburne, it would be appropriate for some means of communication to the public so that the public is aware of what is taking place with Team Shelburne as well as their discussions. It is suggested that the minutes of Team Shelburne be placed on the Municipality of Barrington’s website so that the public has access to these discussions.
Moved by Warden Scott and seconded by Mayor Comeau that the Minutes of Team Shelburne be placed on the Municipality of Barrington’s Website and if possible on other municipal websites within Shelburne County.
Motion carried unanimously.
NEXT MEETING
After some discussion it was agreed that the next meeting of the Committee would be held on Wednesday June 20, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. at the Shelburne Town Council Chambers, Second Floor, 168 Water Street, Shelburne.
ADJOURNMENT
Moved by Mayor Comeau and seconded by Mayor Stoddard that the meeting adjourn at 11:49 a.m.
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