Council Minutes
December 12, 2002
A meeting of the Town Council of the Town of Yarmouth was held on Thursday, December 12, 2002.CALL TO ORDER
The Mayor called the meeting to order at 7:40 p.m. with the playing of O'Canada
RECORD OF ATTENDANCE
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
IT WAS AGREED TO approve the Agenda as circulated.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOVED BY Councillor Boudreau, SECONDED BY Councillor Strickland that the following minutes be approved as circulated:
MOTION CARRIED
BUSINESS ARISING
POLICY FOR THE SELECTION OF DEPUTY MAYOR
The draft policy for the Selection of the Deputy Mayor was considered
MOVED BY Deputy Mayor Hood, SECONDED BY Councillor Strickland that the policy for the Selection of a Deputy Mayor identify that it is for a four year term, be approved as proposed (Appendix A).
MOTION CARRIED
HUBERT BRUSH CENTRE
Correspondence regarding the outstanding taxes and request from Ada Fells for clarification, was considered (Appendix B). MOVED BY Deputy Mayor Hood, SECONDED BY Councillor Strickland that a letter be written to Ada Fells advising of the process for collecting outstanding taxes under the Municipal Government Act, and the dates and flexibility for the redemption period.
MOTION CARRIED
CORRESPONDENCE FOR ACTION
AIRPORT COMMISSION - FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Correspondence from Keith Condon, Chairman, Yarmouth Airport Commission, requesting a grant, was considered (Appendix C). MOVED BY Councillor Strickland, SECONDED BY Councillor Judge the request from the Yarmouth Airport Commission for financial assistance be referred to the January meeting of Council.
MOTION CARRIED
AIRPORT COMMISSION - CHAIRMAN'S CONCERNS
The CAO advised that Mayor Crosby's response to Keith Condon's concerns regarding recent activities associated with the Airport Commission had been forwarded to all Councillors. It was suggested there was no further action required at this time.
NORTH ATLANTIC RESPONSIBLE FISHING CONFERENCE
Correspondence from Lisa Anderson, Conference Secretariat, North Atlantic Responsible Fishing Conference requesting financial support, was considered.
MOVED BY Councillor Dares, SECONDED BY Councillor Strickland the request for financial support for the North Atlantic Responsible Fishing Conference, be referred to the Finance Committee (Appendix D).
MOTION CARRIED
SOUTHWEST SHORE DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY - TERMS OF REFERENCE
Correspondence from Frank Anderson, Chief Executive Officer, Southwest Shore Development Authority regarding "terms of reference" for the completion of a comprehensive study of tourism in and for the region, was considered. MOVED BY Councillor Strickland, SECONDED BY Councillor Boudreau that the "Terms of Reference" for the proposed Tourism Study, be approved in principle (Appendix E).
MOTION CARRIED
WESTERN COUNTIES REGIONAL LIBRARY
Correspondence from Gary Archibald, Chair, Western Counties Regional Library, requesting a letter of support be forwarded to the provincial government impressing the importance of maintaining adequate funding levels for regional libraries and honoring the funding formula which was agreed to in 2000, was considered.
MOVED BY Councillor Judge, SECONDED BY Councillor Strickland that a letter be sent to the provincial government stressing the importance of maintaining adequate funding levels for regional libraries and honoring the funding formula which was agreed to in 2000.
MOVED BY Deputy Mayor Hood, SECONDED BY Councillor Boudreau that the motion be amended to read that Councillor Judge would draft the letter for Council's consideration (Appendix F).
MAIN MOTION CARRIED
The amended motion would read...
MOVED BY Deputy Mayor Hood, SECONDED BY Councillor Boudreau that Councillor Judge draft a letter to the provincial government stressing the importance of maintaining adequate funding levels for regional libraries and honoring the funding formula which was agreed to in 2000, for Council's consideration
PORT OF YARMOUTH
Correspondence from Dave Whiting, Port Manager, Port of Yarmouth, requesting approval for various repairs and maintenance totaling $400,000, was considered (Appendix G). IT WAS AGREED Council would review their request at the January meeting.
CORRESPONDENCE PREVIOUSLY CIRCULATED
Correspondence from S/Sgt. Ray Flynn, RCMP, tendering his resignation as Traffic Authority for the Town was received. The CAO advised Sgt. Abe Townsend, RCMP, would be replacing S/Sgt. Ray Flynn until a permanent placement was found.
MOVED BY Councillor Dares, SECONDED BY Councillor Strickland that Sgt. Abe Townsend be appointed Acting Traffic Authority for the Town of Yarmouth.
MOTION CARRIED
HOUSING MEETING IN MIDDLETON
Councillor Strickland commented on his recent meeting regarding affordable housing programs. He advised the programs being offered would increase the supply of affordable housing in this area. He stated there was lots of potential to utilize these programs in the Yarmouth area to improve living standards and if anyone was interested they could call 1-800-564-3483 or contact the Department of Housing and Community Services in Middleton (Appendix H).
STANDING COMMITTEES
FIRE POLICY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Councillor Pink advised the Fire Department had received a request for Veteran Status for Arnold Hank Nickerson.
MOVED BY Councillor Pink, SECONDED BY Councillor Dares that the request for Veteran Status for Arnold Hank Nickerson be approved.
MOTION CARRIED
Councillor Pink also advised he had received a request from the Yarmouth Fire Department requesting an increase in the honorarium by $2,000 to include amounts of $1,000 each for the Chief Training & Safety Officer and the Chief Fire Prevention Officer of the Department.
MOVED BY Councillor Pink, SECONDED BY Councillor Strickland that the request for an increase in honorariums by $2,000 for the Fire Department to include amounts of $1,000 each for the Chief Training & Safety Officer and the Chief Fire Prevention Officer of the Department be referred to the Finance Committee (Appendix I).
MOTION CARRIED
PLANNING ADVISORY COMMITTEE
The following recommendations were presented from the Planning Advisory Committee:
MOVED BY Councillor Judge, SECONDED BY Councillor Boudreau that Council refuse an application to amend the Town's Municipal Planning Strategy and Land Use By-law to enable an office use at 103 Starr's Road in order to collect rents from tenants off site as it is contrary to the Municipal Planning Strategy's intent to limit all business and professional offices to the Downtown Commercial (C-1) zone (Appendix J).
MOTION CARRIED
MOVED BY Councillor Judge, SECONDED BY Councillor Strickland that Council advertise for a public hearing in order to consider and if deemed advisable, enter into a Development Agreement in order to establish a hostel at 6 Trinity Place as per the planning report (Appendix K).
MOTION CARRIED
MOVED BY Councillor Judge, SECONDED BY Councillor Dares that Council advertise for a public hearing for March 13, 2002 in order to consider and if deemed advisable, amend the Municipal Planning Strategy and Land Use By-law to regulate cargo storage facilities (the storage of freight, materials, equipment and goods) by Development Agreement in the General Industrial (M-1) zone on those lands not abutting Water Street and the prohibition of cargo storage facilities (as a main or accessory use) in the Waterfront Commercial Industrial (W-CI) zone and the waterfront Industrial (M-2) zone as outlined in Appendices "C" and "D" of the planning report. (Appendix L).
MOTION CARRIED
JOINT HERITAGE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Councillor Dares advised that the Town inventory had been nearly completed. She advised the bulk of site forms would be coming from the Municipality of the District of Yarmouth in the future, however there were still sixty-eight (68) sites to be completed for the Town and not just a few as was understood at the November, 2002 Council meeting.
MOVED BY Councillor Pink, SECONDED BY Councillor Dares that Council reconfirm its desire to have the remaining sites in the Town inventoried.
MOTION CARRIED
Councillor Dares also advised that the recommendation from the Joint Heritage Advisory Committee to register 27-29 Willow Street as a Heritage Property, had been withdrawn.
WATERFRONT DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION LTD.
Deputy Mayor Hood advised the Corporation is working on two projects.
JOINT EMERGENCY MEASURES COMMITTEE
Councillor Boudreau advised the Emergency Preparedness program had been evaluated and scored 108 out of 115 points. He advised this was an excellent score and the EMO program was prepared for any emergency. Councillor Strickland advised there would be an EMO information pamphlet mailed out to residents.
YARMOUTH COUNTY TOURIST ASSOCIATION
Councillor Strickland provided a brief overview on Tourism and stated the survey being undertaken would provide insight as to how to further develop tourism in this area.
MARINERS CENTRE MANAGEMENT BOARD
Deputy Mayor Hood advised the Mariners Centre Management Board had received another installment of $100,000 from Skate Yarmouth as part of their ongoing pledge.
YARMOUTH TAXI ASSOCIATION RE: PROPOSED AMENDMENT
The CAO advised he had received a proposal from Agatha Taylor, President, Yarmouth Taxi Association, requesting an increase in taxi fares to $5.50 including HST, within the Town limits.
MOVED BY Deputy Mayor Hood, SECONDED BY Councillor Dares that the request to amend the Taxi By-law to provide for an increase in taxi fares be considered as First Reading of a By-law amendment. (Appendix M).
MOTION CARRIED
STAFF REPORTS
84TH INDEPENDENT BATTERY REQUEST
The CAO advised he had received a request from the 84th Independent Battery to deploy their guns on Water Street from 11:50 a.m. until 1:45 p.m. (date TBA). The intent is to make the artillery available for viewing by the general public.
MOVED BY Councillor Dares, SECONDED BY Mayor Crosby that the request from the 84th Independent Battery to deploy their guns on Water Street from 11:50 a.m. until 1:45 p.m. (date TBA), be approved.
MOTION CARRIED
HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT CANADA (HRDC)
The CAO advised he had been in discussion with representatives from HRDC regarding a public session on Old Age Security and Old Age Pension plans. These sessions involve use of the Council Chambers in January or February.
MOVED BY Councillor Dares, SECONDED BY Councillor Strickland that the Town's involvement with HRDC for public sessions regarding Old Age Security and Old Age Pension plans, be approved.
MOTION CARRIED
OLD BUSINESS
HERBICIDES & PESTICIDES(HRDC)
Correspondence and background information regarding the spraying of Herbicides and Pesticides, previously circulated to Council, was considered.
MOVED BY Deputy Mayor Hood, SECONDED BY Councillor Dares that staff prepare a draft By-law whereby anyone with a sensitivity to the spraying of chemicals can register with the Town.
MOTION CARRIED
NEW BUSINESS
WARDENS/MAYORS COMMITTEE
The CAO advised a Committee of the Mayors & Wardens had been established regarding the Acadian Conference.
MOVED BY Councillor Strickland, SECONDED BY Councillor Judge that the Town advise of its willingness to be a HOST Community during the Acadian Conference.
MOTION CARRIED
APPROVAL OF INVOICES
MOVED BY Councillor Strickland, 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 January 9, 2003.
Mayor Crosby took this opportunity to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. He invited everyone to the New Year's Levee scheduled for Wednesday, January 1st, 2003 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and asked anyone attending bring an item for the Food Bank.
ADJOURN
The Meeting adjourned at 8:46 p.m.
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MAYOR
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CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER