COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE COUNCIL
MEETING
November 7, 2005
November 7, 2005
The meeting was called to order by the Chairman at 7:00 p.m., in the Conference Room, in the Administrative Centre, in Barrington, N.S., with the following members present:
- Sterling Belliveau
- Louise Halliday
- Donna LeBlanc-Messenger
- Eddie Nickerson
- Larry Stewart
- Sean Strang
- Brian Holland, Municipal Clerk
- Donald Harding, Municipal Solicitor
- Mark MacIsaac, Owner's Engineer Re: CED Project
Absent was member Fred Bower due to the recent passing of his father-in-law.
ADDITIONS TO AGENDA
The following items were added to the agenda:
- High School Request.
- Community Grant Request.
- Department of Transportation Issue.
- Fire Department Finances.
- Steering Committee Presentation.
- Presentations to Council.
- Fundraising Committee.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Moved by S. Strang and seconded by L. Stewart that the agenda be approved as amended.
Motion carried unanimously.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Moved by S. Strang and seconded by L. Stewart that the minutes of the last previous meeting held October 17, 2005 be approved as circulated.
Motion carried unanimously.
CLOSED SESSION OF COUNCIL RE: LEGAL MATTER
Council entered into Closed Session to discuss a legal matter. The Municipal Solicitor and the Owner's Engineer on the CED Project were asked to attend this meeting for the purpose of providing information and receiving direction.
Page 2, Committee of the Whole Council Meeting, November 7, 2005
At approximately 8:00 p.m. Council resumed its Open Session.
CED CENTRE/LIBRARY UPDATE
A written update on the progress of construction of the CED Centre/Library was provided to members for their information. This update was reviewed by the Owner's Engineer with some amendments being made and the Engineer being given the appropriate instructions.
DEAN NICKERSON INTERVIEW RE: COASTAL WETLANDS
Dean Nickerson informed members that he felt that the motion being forwarded to Council from the Planning Advisory Committee, stating that they did not support development in the Coastal Wetlands Zone, would become the focus of the public hearing in Council. He also brought to the attention of the Committee the special uses permitted in the Coastal Wetlands Zone that were included in Section 19 of the Municipality's Land Use By-Law. He indicated that he felt there was very little difference between camping cabins, which he wished to construct, and private storage buildings.
Mr. Nickerson also indicated that he believed this proposal was not contrary to the Beaches Act, or the Endangered Species Act, which are provincial acts of the legislature. He also indicated that under the Beaches Act, Daniel's Head Beach is not a protected beach.
Having completed his presentation to the Committee, Mr. Nickerson retired from the meeting at approximately 9:00 p.m.
SUNLIFE FINANCIAL
Sunlife Financial is the company that is now providing the pension plan for municipal employees. Correspondence has been received from them indicating that they will no longer provide a guaranteed interest rate of 4% on their investments. The interest rate that will be provided in future is the current market rate on their securities. The highest interest rate on these securities at the present time is 2.85%.
FEDERAL GAS TAX RELEASE OF FUNDS
Correspondence has been received from Mr. Marvin MacDonald who is the Administrator of the provincial program providing gas tax to local municipal units. Mr. MacDonald informs the Municipality that a revised capital budget must be submitted indicating what the federal gas tax funds will be used for in order to receive them from the province.
Resolution COW051101
Moved by E. Nickerson and seconded by L. Stewart that it be recommended to Council that the provincial government be informed that the Municipality wishes to set aside its current years funds from the federal gas tax to be used for future projects to be designated by the Municipality, which will be within the criteria specified in the agreement for the refund of federal gas tax.
Motion carried unanimously.
Page 3, Committee of the Whole Council Meeting, November 7, 2005
FIRE DRILL
Members were informed that a fire drill was held at the Administration Building on October 12, 2005. This fire drill was conducted successfully and all tenants and employees were evacuated within 4 minutes of the time the fire alarm sounded.
CREDIT CARD FEES
Members were informed that Moneris has informed the Municipality that they will be reducing their credit card fees from 2.5% on Visa and from 2.45% on Mastercard, to 2.1% on both.
Moneris will also be reducing the $35.00 per month charge for the credit card machine to $30.00 per month.
TRAINING
Councillor Messenger indicated that she would like to be registered for both of the training sessions to be held in Halifax on November 24th and 25th, and at White Point Beach on November 28th.
No other councillors have indicated they will attend these training sessions as yet.
NOVEMBER 28TH COUNCIL MEETING
It was agreed by consensus of members that the Council meeting to be held on November 28thwould be held as scheduled.
TAX WRITE-OFFS
Raine Rhodes Holding Ltd.
Raine Rhodes Holding Ltd. was a local business operated in Barrington Passage. This business under the name of Tompa's Restaurant is now closed and no longer operates. There are outstanding taxes in the amount of approximately $1,820.00 on this account which are deemed to be uncollectible since the company has no assets which may be seized by the Municipality.
Resolution COW051102
Moved by D. Messenger and seconded by L. Halliday that it be recommended to Council that the balance of business occupancy taxes due from Raine Rhodes Holding Ltd., Property #08447268, be written off as they are deemed to be uncollectible.
AFFIRMATIVE NEGATIVE
Sterling Belliveau Sean Strang
Louise Halliday
Donna LeBlanc-Messenger
Eddie Nickerson
Larry Stewart
Motion carried.
Page 4, Committee of the Whole Council Meeting, November 7, 2005
Thomas F. Swaine
Thomas F. Swaine conducted a computer supply business in Barrington Passage under the name Swaine Computer Solutions. The balance outstanding on this account is approximately $210.00. Thomas F. Swaine has declared bankruptcy. As a result, it is deemed that the Municipality will be unable to collect the outstanding business occupancy taxes.
Resolution COW051103
Moved by L. Halliday and seconded by D. Messenger that it be recommended to Council that the balance of business occupancy taxes outstanding from Thomas F. Swaine, operating as Swaine Computer Solutions be written off as uncollectible.
Motion carried unanimously.
BARBARA HOPKINS REQUEST
Mrs. Hopkins has requested that the Municipality reduce the sewer charge on a property owned by her in Wood's Harbour. This property is currently charged for one (1) sewer unit.
Resolution COW051104
Moved by L. Halliday and seconded by D. Messenger that it be recommended to Council that the Municipality cannot further reduce the sewer charge on the property owned by Mrs. Hopkins as there are other properties within the Municipality who are in a similar situation and are required to pay the sewer charge.
Motion carried unanimously.
CFS BARRINGTON ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
Council had previously asked the federal government to provide the environmental assessment that was done at the GATR Site in Baccaro. This environmental assessment has been provided and the executive summary from the assessment has been copied to all councillors for their information and review. The executive summary indicates that all environmental issues on the site have been dealt with and that the site has been completely remediated. As a result there are no further recommendations for remediation.
Resolution COW051105
Moved by L. Halliday and seconded by D. Messenger that it be recommended to Council that the Municipality obtain the GATR Site as previously agreed.
AFFIRMATIVE NEGATIVE
Sterling Belliveau Eddie Nickerson
Louise Halliday
Donna LeBlanc-Messenger
Larry Stewart
Sean Strang
Motion carried.
Page 5, Committee of the Whole Council Meeting, November 7, 2005
SEA CADET REQUEST
Correspondence has been received from the Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps 327 Unicorn Flight requesting financial support from the Municipality. This financial support will be used to assist in financing their activities. At the present time the Cadets have a band and are trying to buy more instruments.
After some discussion it was agreed that councillors would support the request of the Sea Cadets by providing funds from the Community Grant Fund.
Resolution COW051106
Moved by L. Halliday and seconded by D. Messenger that it be recommended to Council that $200.00 be provided from the District 1 Community Grant Fund.
Motion carried unanimously.
Resolution COW051107
Moved by L. Halliday and seconded by D. Messenger that it be recommended to Council that $200.00 be provided from the District 2 Community Grant Fund.
Motion carried unanimously.
Resolution COW051108
Moved by D. Messenger and seconded by S. Strang that it be recommended to Council that $200.00 be provided from the District 3 Community Grant Fund.
Motion carried unanimously.
Resolution COW051109
Moved by S. Strang and seconded by D. Messenger that it be recommended to Council that $200.00 be provided from the District 6 Community Grant Fund.
Motion carried unanimously.
Resolution COW051110
Moved by L. Stewart and seconded by L. Halliday that it be recommended to Council that $200.00 be provided to the Sea Cadet Corps from the District 5 Community Grant Fund.
Motion carried unanimously.
Resolution COW051111
Moved by E. Nickerson and seconded by S. Strang that it be recommended to Council that $200.00 be provided from the District 7 Community Grant Fund.
Motion carried unanimously.
A total of $1,200.00 will be provided from the various Community Grant Funds to the Sea Cadet Corps as a result of these motions.
Page 6, Committee of the Whole Council Meeting, November 7, 2005
FAIR AND EQUITABLE FUNDING
A copy of correspondence from the Municipality of the County of Cumberland, to the Chairman of the UNSM Rural Caucus, was circulated to members for their information and review. In this correspondence, Cumberland County is asking that the UNSM Board of Directors review the viability of municipal structures as the No. 1 priority for its Board, and present a report to the 2006 UNSM Spring Workshop for discussion and direction to the Board.
This request was briefly discussed by members and deferred to a subsequent meeting of the committee, by consensus.
PORT CLYDE BRIDGE
Several letters pertaining to the funding of a walkway across the train trestle in Port Clyde have been received at the Municipal Office. These letters will be circulated to members by email for their information.
TOURIST DESTINATION SIGNS
Three proposed designs for tourist destination signs have been received from Mr. John Smith. Council has reviewed these designs and chose design B which contained a lobster, a Cape Island boat and the Seal Island Light Museum in the design, along with the designation Lobster Capital of Canada.
Resolution COW05112
Moved by L. Halliday and seconded by S. Strang that it be recommended to Council that the Municipality use design B as proposed by John Smith for tourist destination signs to be placed on Highway 103.
Motion carried unanimously.
Correspondence was also received from the Department of Transportation indicating that the location of the tourist destination signs would be at the municipal boundaries which are on the western end of the Municipality along Highway 103, just prior to reaching snow plow turnoffs, and at the eastern end of the Municipality at the Clyde River.
Resolution COW051113
Moved by L. Stewart and seconded by L. Halliday that it be recommended to Council that the tourist destination signs be placed at the Municipal boundaries on the west, and that the Department of Transportation be requested to place the corresponding sign near Brown's Pit Road on the eastern end of the Municipality so that it is not among the houses near the Clyde River.
Motion carried unanimously.
SCHEDULE OF FEES PAID
The Schedule of Fees paid was circulated to members for their information.
Page 7, Committee of the Whole Council Meeting, November 7, 2005
REVIEW OF COMMUNITY GRANTS POLICY
Resolution COW051114
Moved by L. Halliday and seconded by S. Strang that this matter be deferred to a subsequent meeting of the committee.
Motion carried unanimously.
HIGH SCHOOL REQUEST
An email was received from the High School requesting that $4,000.00 of the funds provided for community enhancements to the High School be used to purchase basketball and soccer uniforms.
Resolution COW051115
Moved by E. Nickerson and seconded by S. Strang that a response be sent to the High School indicating that the Committee considered their request, and wishes to inform them that the contribution made to the High School is for enhancements to the new high school and should only be used for that purpose.
Motion carried unanimously.
COMMUNITY GRANT REQUEST
Chapel Hill Museum
Correspondence has been received from the Chapel Hill Historical Society requesting financial support for maintenance to be done on their building this year. Their intention is to remove the chimney and fix the wall at the museum. They have a bid for the job of $950.00. They also wish to paint the inside of the museum. As yet, they have not obtained any bids for this purpose.
Resolution COW051116
Moved by L. Halliday and seconded by S. Strang that it be recommended to Council that a grant of $2,000.00 be provided from the District 2 Community Grant Funds to the Chapel Hill Historical Society for the purpose of maintenance on their museum.
Motion carried unanimously.
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION ISSUE
Members were informed that there is some flooding occurring at the end of the West Bear Point Road where it intersects with Route 3.
Page 8, Committee of the Whole Council Meeting, November 7, 2005
Resolution COW051117
Moved by L. Halliday and seconded by S. Strang that it be recommended to Council that the Department of Transportation be contacted and requested to review and remedy the flooding situation at the intersection of the West Bear Point Road and Route 3.
Motion carried unanimously.
FIRE DEPARTMENT FINANCES
Question was raised as to the purpose of providing an annual grant of $22,500.00 to the volunteer fire departments. This grant is provided to the fire departments for their use in paying for their ongoing operating expenses each year.
COMMUNITY CARE STEERING COMMITTEE PRESENTATION TO COUNCIL
There will be a presentation to Council from the Continuing Care Steering Committee regarding a request for land and financing for an expansion to be done at Bay Side Home in Brass Hill.
FUNDRAISING COMMITTEE
The Property Services Supervisor is no longer required on the Fundraising Committee now that there is a councillor. The councillor will now act as the liaison between Council and the Committee. Should the Property Services Supervisor wish to have projects done at the Arena and other Municipal properties these will be presented to Council through the Clerk-Treasurer.
PRESENTATIONS TO COUNCIL
It was requested that the requirement for written presentations to Council be more strictly enforced so that the presentations that are actually made are received, in writing, and circulated to councillors prior to the Council meeting. It is not sufficient to simply have a letter to Council explaining what the presentation is about. The actual presentation must be provided prior to the Council meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by mutual consent of members at 11:33 p.m.
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