The meeting was called to order by the Warden at 7:00 p.m. with the following members present:
- Warden Sterling Belliveau
- Deputy Warden Fred Bower
- Councillor Angus Atkinson
- Councillor Eddie Nickerson
- Councillor Wayne Smith
- Councillor Steven Stoddart
- Councillor Tina Wickens
- Brian Holland, Municipal Clerk
- Lesa Rossetti, Deputy Clerk
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Moved by A. Atkinson and seconded F. Bower that the minutes of the last meeting held June 28, 2000 be approved as circulated.
Motion carried.
MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
Municipal Budget
Councillor Wickens apologized for not being present at the last meeting of Council, at which time the Municipal Budget was approved.
She expressed concern regarding the Commercial Equipment Tax and the contingency fund.
For the past couple of years the Province has been paying the Commercial Equipment Tax, but this year that program has been eliminated. The municipality has opted to bill the property owner for the Commercial equipment Tax rather than absorb the cost themselves. Councillor Wickens felt that the province is once again down-loading to municipal government, and in this case we are down-loading to the taxpayer. With the municipality having a surplus last year and being able to hold the tax rate this year, she felt that maybe the municipality could have considered absorbing the cost of Commercial Equipment Tax.
The contingency fund is a new budget item and Councillor Wickens felt that if it was not included in the budget then Council would have been able to lower the tax rate by one and three quarter (1 3/4) cents. If the Council decided to pick up the Commercial Equipment Tax then Council could have still lowered the tax rate by one (1) cent. Councillor Wickens stated that she felt that this saving should have been passed on to the taxpayer as opposed to adding a new item to the budget in the amount of $35,000.00.
Property Adjacent to Barrington Consolidated School
Councillor Stoddart informed members that a response has now been received from veterinarian, Tom O'Brian, advising that his information is not public and he cannot discuss the disposal of the cow belonging to Lynn Nickerson without her permission. Dr. O'Brian has suggested that we contact Lynn Nickerson for details on this matter.
Page 2, Council Meeting, July 12, 2000
Councillor Stoddart also informed Council that it was his understanding that Ms. Nickerson has moved her cattle and horses to another location.
Moved by S. Stoddart and seconded by T. Wickens that the Clerk contact Lynn Nickerson to obtain information on the cause of death of the cow and to ask why she has moved her animals to another location and whether any other animals have died.
Motion carried unanimously.
Doctor Crisis
Councillor Smith questioned whether Dr. Blair's office will remain open and whether Dr. Jamal Aboujamra will be allowed to practice there while Dr. Blair is serving his suspension. He also questioned the number of doctors serving the area and whether another doctor will be coming to the area to serve in Dr. Blair's absence.
Moved by W. Smith and seconded by T. Wickens that a letter be written to the Minister of Health to determine what relief will be provided in Dr. Blair's absence.
Motion carried unanimously.
Family Violence Program
Councillor Smith made reference to a copy of a letter he had received from the Minister of Justice, addressed to Pat Nickerson, regarding the Family Violence Program.
The letter from the Minister advised that the decision to discontinue funding was based on the results of two reviews which indicated that the primary services provided by the project were within the mandate of other services within the community; i.e. Police Victim Assistance Program, Transition House Outreach Services and Department of Justice Victim's Services.
Councillor Smith advised that he has been in discussion with Darlene Ross regarding this matter and she has forwarded a letter which was addressed to Council and read by the Clerk.
Moved by W. Smith and seconded by F. Bower that a letter be written to the Minister of Justice requesting him to meet with the MLA and Darlene Ross to further discuss the Family Violence Program.
Motion carried.
Privatization of the Department of Transportation
The Clerk reported that a response had been received from the Minister of Transportation regarding the potential privatization in the Department of Transportation and Public Works. The letter advised that the government must explore ways to save money and improve service to the public and one of those ways is the initiative known as Alternative Service Delivery. The goal of this program is to discover if things can be done better and more cost-effectively outside government. Many of the details have not been worked out but they expect to conduct pilot projects in four parts of the province. The government believes that privatization does not automatically lead to widespread unemployment or lower wages. The experience in other jurisdictions would seem to be encouraging: skilled workers are always in high demand for maintenance work and in many cases that demand translates into higher wages for the workers.
Page 3, Council Meeting, July 12, 2000
He further advised that any decision made regarding an alternative form of service delivery would ensure that the safety of motorists and workers be fully protected. The government must give its approval for this initiative to move forward; so far that approval has not been obtained.
CORRESPONDENCE
Threat Risk Assessment
The Clerk reported that a letter has been received from the Municipality of Chester supporting our resolution regarding the Province Wide Radio Communication System.
The Clerk reported that a letter has also been received from the Technology and Science Secretariat which advised that the TMR Implementation Project has made plans that allow for significant input from municipalities into the development of the Threat Risk Assessment Terms of Reference. The TMR project will seek input from EMO Nova Scotia, which works closely with our municipal units in the province on emergency planning. As well, the Province has an advisory group of volunteer officials that will have input into the process. An advisory group has been formed which represents the entire volunteer emergency service community.
Councillor Wickens requested a copy of this letter and it was agreed that a copy of this letter should also be forwarded to Don Bower.
REPORT OF WARDEN
The Warden provided a brief report on his activities since the last council meeting.
He reported that the Minister of Justice viewed the Administrative Centre on July 6, 2000 and correspondence will be forthcoming from the Minister's office regarding recommendations.
On July 11, 2000 he met with the Minister of Fisheries and discussed the Minister holding more than one portfolio, the Food Fishery and the Marine Resource Centre.
The Warden congratulated Reporter, Kathy Johnson, on the awards she received in the Atlantic Community Newspapers Association's 2000, Better Newspapers Competitions, which was held on June 17, 2000. Ms. Johnson shared second place in the best resource story category for her September 25, 1999 article, "A little Light", on the local fishing industry reaction to the Marshall decision. She also captured third place in the best news story category for her May 4, 1999 article, "Red Horse Rages Through County", on the Shag Harbour/Wood's Harbour forest fire.
COMMITTEE AND BOARD REPORTS
Finance Committee
Fri-Y
Moved by E. Nickerson and seconded by F. Bower that the Fri-Y Program be canceled as a result of inadequate supervision and subsequent disciplinary problems.
Page 4, Council Meeting, July 12, 2000
Moved by T. Wickens and seconded by S. Stoddart that the above motion be amended to state "insufficient staffing" rather than "inadequate supervision".
Motion carried.
The amended motion as approved by Council is as follows:
"...that the Fri-Y Program be canceled as a result of insufficient staffing and subsequent disciplinary problems."
The amended motion was then put to a vote and carried.
Public Works Committee
Survey of Goodwin Property
Moved by W. Smith and seconded by T. Wickens that the municipality have a survey completed in order to purchase the Goodwin property in North East Point.
Motion carried.
The Clerk requested clarification of this motion since there is currently a motion on the books which states as follows:
"...that the municipality enter into agreement for the purchase of property from Edwin and Ellen Goodwin in the amount of $15,000.00 subject to the approval of a Waterfront Development project being approved by Council for that site."
Members agreed that since the Capital Budget, which included $15,000.00 for the purchase of this property, and the Waterfront Development Budget, which included plans for this site, were both approved by Council, that Council has approved the purchase of this property.
It was further the consensus of Council that the motion to have the Goodwin property surveyed prior to the purchase of the property would override any previous motions of Council.
Building Inspector
Moved by W. Smith and seconded by A. Atkinson that the municipality re-advertise for a Certified Building Inspector.
Motion carried.
Upon request of two councillors the division was recorded:
FOR AGAINST
Angus Atkinson Eddie Nickerson
Sterling Belliveau Wayne Smith
Fred Bower Tina Wickens
Steven Stoddart
Page 5, Council Meeting, July 12, 2000
Moved by W. Smith and seconded by F. Bower that the previous applicants for the position of Building Inspector be informed that Council has decided to re-advertise for a Certified Building Inspector.
Motion carried.
Upon request of two councillors the division was recorded:
FOR AGAINST
Angus Atkinson Tina Wickens
Sterling Belliveau
Fred Bower
Eddie Nickerson
Wayne Smith
Steven Stoddart
Moved by W. Smith and seconded by S. Stoddart that an ad for a Certified Building Inspector be placed in The Halifax Chronicle Herald, in The Globe and Mail, and with the Building Inspector's Association of Nova Scotia.
Motion carried.
Upon request of two councillors the division was recorded:
FOR AGAINST
Angus Atkinson Eddie Nickerson
Sterling Belliveau Wayne Smith
Fred Bower Tina Wickens
Steven Stoddart
Sale of Municipal Property
WHEREAS the Municipality has no expected use for the Gilbert Trask property in Barrington Passage and the former Oscar E. Smith property in Shag Harbour;
THEREFORE it is moved by W. Smith and seconded by T. Wickens that the municipality advertise the former Gilbert Trask property and the former Oscar E. Smith property for sale and list the properties with East Bay Realty as an MLS listing to obtain offers.
Motion carried.
Moved by S. Stoddart and seconded by T. Wickens that in future all amended motions be recorded showing the amended motion as approved by Council.
Motion carried.
Page 6, Council Meeting, July 12, 2000
Samuel Wood Historical Society
The Warden turned the chair over to the Deputy Warden.
It was the recommendation of the Public Works Committee that a grant of $2,500.00 be provided to the Samuel Wood Historical Society. Councillor Wickens questioned where the money would be coming from to provide this grant to the society. She was informed that this would be part of the contingency fund approved for each district.
The Warden addressed the meeting and advised that the Samuel Wood Historical Society purchased a building in the community of Wood's Harbour and has recently opened its doors as the Samuel Wood Museum Complex. The Complex is currently providing a base of operation for three (3) different organizations; the Samuel Wood Historical Society, the Wood's Habour Women's Resource Centre and the Balmoral Rebekah Lodge #39.
Moved by W. Smith and seconded by S. Belliveau that a grant of $2,500.00 be approved for the Joint Advisory Committee of the Samuel Wood Museum Complex in Wood's Harbour.
Moved by S. Stoddart and seconded by W. Smith that the above motion be amended requiring the Society to provide a statement of expenditures in the amount of $2,500.00 upon completion of the work.
Motion carried.
The amended motion is as follows:
"...that a grant of $2,500.00 be approved for the Joint Advisory Committee of the Samuel Wood Museum Complex in Wood's Harbour and that a statement of expenditures in the amount of $2,500.00 be forwarded to Council upon completion of the work."
The amended motion was then put to a vote and carried.
Upon the request of two councillors the division was recorded:
FOR AGAINST
Angus Atkinson Tina Wickens
Sterling Belliveau
Fred Bower
Eddie Nickerson
Wayne Smith
Steven Stoddart
Mount Pleasant Cemetery Request
Moved by W. Smith and seconded by S. Belliveau that a grant of $2,500.00 be approved for the Mount Pleasant Cemetery Association.
Page 7, Council Meeting, July 12, 2000
Moved by S. Stoddart and seconded by W. Smith that the above motion be amended to provide for a statement of expenditures totaling $2,500.00.
Motion carried.
The amended motion is as follows:
"...that a grant of $2,500.00 be approved for the Mount Pleasant Cemetery Association and that a statement of expenditures in the amount of $2,500.00 be forwarded to Council upon completion of the work."
The amended motion was then put to a vote and carried.
Upon the request of two councillors the division was recorded:
FOR AGAINST
Angus Atkinson Tina Wickens
Sterling Belliveau
Fred Bower
Eddie Nickerson
Wayne Smith
Steven Stoddart
Dismissal of Suzanne Belliveau
Conflict of Interest
The Warden declared conflict of interest, vacated his seat and proceeded to the spectator area.
Moved by W. Smith and seconded by T. Wickens that the request from Suzanne Belliveau for the amount of $1,424.12 be denied and that a letter informing her be forwarded to her from our Municipal Solicitor.
Motion carried unanimously.
The Warden then resumed his seat at the table.
FRAM CRITERIA
Councillor Wickens advised that she requested that this item be placed on the agenda to request the FRAM criteria. Since then the criteria has been received.
During discussion it was questioned whether the study to determine the location of a new Visitor Information Centre would fall within the criteria of the FRAM Program. It was reported that Mr. Frank Anderson of the South West Shore Development Authority will be attending the July 19, 2000 Finance Meeting to discuss the Terms of Reference for the Visitor Information Centre Feasibility Study and funding options.
Page 8, Council Meeting, July 12, 2000
GUARANTEE LINE OF CREDIT - BAY SIDE HOME CORPORATION
It was agreed that this matter be tabled until September 2000.
ADJOURNMENT
Moved by F. Bower that there being no further business to be dealt with that the meeting adjourn.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:23 p.m.
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