Council Minutes
April 11, 2002
A meeting of the Town of Yarmouth was held on Thursday, April 11, 2002.CALL TO ORDER
The Mayor called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. with the playing of O'Canada.
RECORD OF ATTENDANCE
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
IT WAS AGREED to approve the Agenda with noted additions
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOVED BY Councillor Dares, SECONDED BY Councillor Pink that the minutes of March 14, 2002 be approved as circulated
MOTION CARRIED
PRESENTATION
Mayor Crosby presented Eric Ruff with a gift, on behalf of Council, in recognition of his participation in the naming of the Mariners Centre. Gordon Wood and Jim MacLeod were recognized as well, however they were unable to attend. DELEGATION
Marguerite Jenkins, Director of Branch Services of the VON and Michelle LeBlanc, Volunteer Coordinator provided Council with an overview of VON activities (Appendix A). They requested financial assistance in the amount of $3,500 from Council to help defray their budgeted deficit.
MOVED BY Councillor Strickland, SECONDED BY Councillor Pink the request for financial assistance from the VON be referred for consideration in conjunction with current budget discussions.
MOTION CARRIED
SOUTH WEST SHORE DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
Frank Anderson, Chief Executive Officer, and Chris Atwood, Development Officer of the South West Shore Development Authority provided Council with an overview of the budget and schedule of events for the Association of Atlantic Canada and New England Mayors (AACNEM - formerly SEMACA) for the upcoming conference in July. This year the conference will be held in Yarmouth. (see Appendix "B")
Mayor Crosby thanked Mr. Anderson and Mr. Atwood for their presentation.
CORRESPONDENCE FOR ACTION
SUPPORT OF MARINE CENTRE IN BARRINGTON
Additional correspondence from the Municipality of the District of Barrington regarding support for a Marine Centre in their municipality, and more specifically in the Town of Clark's Harbour, was considered.
MOVED BY Deputy Mayor Hood, SECONDED BY Councillor Dares that Council support the application for a Marine Centre in South West Nova Scotia, to be located in the community that has the infrastructure that best supports it and the stakeholder requirements.
MOTION CARRIED
FEDERATION OF CANADIAN MUNICIPALITIES (FCM)
Correspondence from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities regarding ratification of the Kyoto Protocol was considered.
MOVED BY Councillor Dares, SECONDED BY Councillor Strickland that Council endorse the FCM Kyoto Protocol.
MOTION CARRIED REPORTS
STANDING COMMITTEES
FINANCE COMMITTEE
Councillor Pink advised there would be a Finance Committee meeting in the near future.
PLANNING ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Councillor Judge provided Council with a report from the Public Hearing held earlier in the evening. The following motions resulted:
MOVED BY Councillor Judge, SECONDED BY Councillor Pink, that an amendment to the Land Use By-law, in particular the Zoning Map, Schedule "A," thereby rezoning 44/46 Argyle Street from Low Density Residential (R-1) to Medium Density Residential (R-2) be approved. (Appendix C)
MOTION CARRIED
MOVED BY Councillor Judge, SECONDED BY Councillor Pink that an amendment to the Land Use By-law, in particular the Zoning Map, Schedule "A," thereby rezoning 245 Pleasant Street (formerly 251 Pleasant Street) from Institutional (I-1) to General Commercial (C-2) be approved. (Appendix D)
MOTION CARRIED
MOVED BY Councillor Judge, SECONDED BY Councillor Pink that an amendment to the Land Use By-law, in particular Part 6.7.2 to enable the erection of three (3) facial wall signs for a single occupancy building be approved. AND CONCURRENTLY,
An amendment to Part 6.7.3 of the Land Use By-law to enable the erection of a thirty (30) foot high ground sign be approved.
AND CONCURRENTLY,
An amendment to Part 6.1(F) of the Land Use By-law to remove the 300 square foot maximum size limitation on signage on any wall face be approved. (Appendix E)
MOTION CARRIED
MOVED BY Councillor Judge, SECONDED BY Councillor Dares that an amendment to the Municipal Planning Strategy, in particular Policy 1.5(a) and concurrently amend the Land Use By-law, in particular Part 25.1, list of permitted uses in the Institutional (I-1) zone by adding the use "temporary call centers" and concurrently amend Part 26, definitions, by inserting a new definition of "call centers" and "temporary call centers" be approved. (Appendix F)
MOTION CARRIED
MOVED BY Councillor Judge, SECONDED BY Councillor Strickland that an amendment to the Municipal Planning Strategy, in particular Policy 2.2.3 and concurrently amend the Land Use By-law, Part 16.1 by adding "Public and Private Utility Office and Work Yards" as a use permitted within the General Commercial (C-2) zone be approved. (Appendix G)
MOTION CARRIED
MOVED BY Councillor Judge, SECONDED BY Councillor Pink that an amendment to the Municipal Planning Strategy and concurrently amend the Land Use By-law, in particular Part 5.16, to enable wider entrance widths within the General Commercial (C-2) zone, the Commercial Industrial (CI-6) zone and the General Industrial (M-1) zone by a site plan approval process be approved. (Appendix H)
MOTION CARRIED
YARMOUTH WATER UTILITY
Deputy Mayor Hood commented on the recent press coverage featured in The Vanguard and encouraged citizens to read the article on the Lake George Watershed. He advised the Utility was still awaiting official documentation regarding the Utility upgrade.
JOINT HERITAGE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Councillor Dares informed Council that Dexter and Susan Sweeney were applying to "de-register" their Heritage property. JOINT LEISURE SERVICES COMMITTEE
Councillor Dares provided Council with an update regarding the Milo Boat Club. She advised that the Councils' allocation of capital would be available for restoration work to the Club. She also advised that David Kern, Delta Four Architect had requested photos of the interior of the building and encouraged the general public to loan any personal photos they may have to assist with the restoration.
. OTHER COMMITTEES
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH & SAFETYCouncillor Boudreau advised the Occupational Health & Safety Committee held a meeting on March 27 regarding policies for Occupational Health & Safety.
JOINT EMERGENCY MEASURES
Councillor Strickland advised the Joint Emergency Measures Organization were working on emergency procedures and public awareness. He also advised the shell of the new building was constructed and he would keep Council up to date on the construction progress.
JOINT HOMECARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Mayor Crosby advised the negotiations were going well. YARMOUTH COUNTY TOURIST ASSOCIATION
Councillor Strickland advised the Yarmouth County Tourist Association was presently working on its budget and noted they have improved their financial situation.
Following discussion, with reference to their financial situation, it was noted there should be increased emphasis on promoting Yarmouth and the surrounding area and it may be appropriate for the Tourist Association to enquire of other organizations that may be able to assist them. YARMOUTH PARKING COMMITTEEDeputy Mayor Hood advised the Yarmouth Parking Committee met on April 11, 2002 to set their budget. He also advised there was a small operating surplus of approximately $7,000 last year which makes it possible for them to recommend that the rates remain the same for the 2002/2003 fiscal year.
TAXI COMMITTEE
Deputy Mayor Hood advised the Taxi Committee had met on April 11, 2002. The following motions resulted:
MOVED BY Deputy Mayor Hood, SECONDED BY Councillor Judge that First Reading of the amendment to the Taxi By-law to provide for the installation of taxi meters be approved.
MOTION CARRIED
MOVED BY Deputy Mayor Hood, SECONDED BY Councillor Dares that the appointments to the Taxi Committee be approved. (Appendix "I")
MOTION CARRIED
MOVED BY Deputy Mayor Hood, SECONDED BY Councillor Dares that First Reading of the amendment to Section 6. 1) K) of the Taxi By-law by replacing the word "month" with "year" to read as follows "...a certificate from a duly qualified medical practitioner certifying the applicant is fit to act and carry out the duties of a driver under these By-laws and dated not more than one (1) year before the application..." be approved.
MOTION CARRIED
SOUTH WEST SHORE DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
It was noted the meeting is scheduled for April 17, 2002.
STAFF
SURPLUS BICYCLES
The CAO reviewed his memo of April 11, 2002. He noted that there is no demand or justification to proceed with the expense of advertising and staffing a bike auction that gains little if any public acceptance. In the absence of direction to the contrary the intent would be offer them to charitable, non-profit groups, etc. and/or otherwise, if possible, put them back into use.
NEW BUSINESS
UNOPENED STREETS
Councillor Judge, Chairman of the Planning Advisory Committee had received a request for information regarding unopened streets and had requested additional information from staff. Staff memo of April 11, 2002 (Appendix J) was circulated to all councillors. TAX EXEMPTION BY-LAW
The CAO had requested that Council give consideration to the first reading of the Tax Exemption By-law in accordance with the requirement to review that by-law on a yearly basis.
MOVED BY Councillor Pink, SECONDED BY Councillor Boudreau that Council declare First Reading of By-law #27 Canadian Charitable Organization Exemptions.
MOVED BY Councillor Pink, SECONDED BY Councillor Strickland that the By-law be amended to provide for a 100% property tax exemption for the Lyons Club.
Following considerable discussion and our Solicitor's advice with reference to current legislation regarding Council's ability to provide tax exemption, Councillors generally agreed that the proposed amendment should be less than 100%.
With the consent of the mover and the seconder the original motion was withdrawn.
MOVED BY Councillor Pink, SECONDED BY Councillor Strickland that the proposed By-law be amended to provide for a 75% tax exemption for the Lyons Club.
During discussion it was understood that the By-law is subject to change during Second and subsequent Readings.
MOTION CARRIED
UNSM SPRING WORKSHOP
Information regarding registration for the UNSM Spring Workshop was circulated. Councillors were asked to provide registration information to the Executive Secretary.
JUNIPER HOUSE
Councillor Dares reviewed a draft model for Family Violence System Redesign. She advised that maintaining a shelter in Yarmouth for the Tri County area was essential.
MOVED BY Councillor Dares, SECONDED BY Councillor Pink that Council forward a letter to Minister Christie, the MLAs in Southwest Nova Scotia, and the Minister of Finance insisting that it is unacceptable to close Juniper House.
MOTION CARRIED CARD OF THANKS
Mayor Crosby advised a "card of thanks" had been received from Mayor Ann MacLean and family for the donation in memory of her husband.
APPROVAL OF INVOICES
MOVED BY Councillor Dares, SECONDED BY Councillor Pink that invoices, as approved by the individual chairs, be authorized for payment.
MOTION CARRIED
DATE OF NEXT MEETING
IT WAS AGREED the next meeting be scheduled for May 9, 2002.
ADJOURN
The Meeting adjourned at 9:35 p.m.
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MAYOR
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CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER