Council Minutes
December 11, 2003
A meeting of the Town Council of the Town of Yarmouth was held on Thursday, December 11, 2003.
CALL TO ORDER
The Mayor called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. with the playing of O’Canada.
RECORD OF ATTENDANCE
Mayor Charles Crosby
Deputy Mayor Cliff Hood
Councillor Byron Boudreau
Councillor Esther Dares
Councillor Murray Judge
Councillor Martin Pink
Councillor Wally Strickland
Executive/Recording Secretary, Rose Earle
REGRETS
C.A.O., Ray Gallant
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
IT WAS AGREED to approve the agenda with the following additions:
--CEMCSA – Bingo (under Delegations)
--Parents Place (under the Finance Committee)
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
MOVED BY Councillor Boudreau, SECONDED BY Councillor Strickland, that the minutes of November 13, 2003 (Public Hearing & Regular Meeting), November 20, 2003 (Special Meeting), November 26, 2003 (Emergency & Finance Meetings), be approved.
Councillor Pink requested that he be recorded as attending the Public Hearing on November 13, 2003.
MOTION CARRIED
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IT WAS AGREED to hold the Public Hearing, scheduled earlier, at this time.
MOVED BY Councillor Strickland, SECONDED BY Councillor Pink that the agenda for the Public Hearing be approved as circulated.
MOTION CARRIED
PUBLIC HEARING
The Chair indicated the purpose of the Public Hearing was to provide an opportunity for Councillors and the public to comment on the various issues presented for consideration and offered the following for discussion:
Amendment #1
Application to amend the Municipal Planning Strategy and Land Use By-Law to implement design provisions for accessory buildings and to prohibit the use of transportation vehicles and/or shipping containers as main or accessory buildings in residential ( R - 1, R - 2, R - 3, R - 2M and R - H) zoned areas as per the Planner’s report.
The Chair called for questions or comments on the motion. There were no verbal or written comments for or against the proposed amendment.
Amendment #2
Application to amend the Municipal Planning Strategy and Land Use By-law to implement standards for accessory buildings in the C - 1, C - 2, C - 3, and C - 4 zones and for the Institutional ( I - 1 ) zone as per the Planner’s report.
The Chair called for questions or comments on the motion. There were no verbal or written comments for or against the proposed amendment.
Application for Development Agreement
Application to enter into a development agreement in order to establish an eight (8) room Senior’s Boarding/Rooming house at 187 Argyle Street as per the Planner’s report.
The Chair called for questions or comments on the motion. There were no verbal or written comments for or against the proposed application.
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PUBLIC HEARING
REQUEST FOR REGISTRATION OF HERITAGE PROPERTY
The Chair indicated the purpose of the Public Hearing was to provide an opportunity for Councillors and the public to comment on the request for the registration of 27-29 Willow Street as a municipal heritage property, with the proposed alterations approved, in principle, as presented.
Michael Tavares spoke in favour of the application to register 27-29 Willow Street as a municipal heritage property and was happy to advise their construction loan was approved.
BUSINESS ARISING
DRAFT POLICY – RECORDS MANAGEMENT
MOVED BY Councillor Dares, SECONDED BY Councillor Pink that the Records Management policy be approved.
The mover and seconder agreed to withdraw the motion.
IT WAS AGREED to table the approval of the Records Management policy until the January meeting to obtain a legal opinion.
DEXTER SWEENEY – HERITAGE PROPERTY
Councillor Dares advised that Mr. & Mrs. Dexter Sweeney were withdrawing their application to de-register their property as a heritage building.
DELEGATION
JEFF RAYNARD – VARIANCE APPEAL
Councillor Pink declared a conflict of interest and stepped away from the Council table.
Mr. Jeff Raynard requested his variance appeal be tabled until January, 2004.
IT WAS AGREED the request for a variance appeal for 11 Carleton Street be tabled until January, 2004.
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CEMCSA
Gary Leach and Donald Usher expressed their concerns relative to the bingo licence issued to the Fire Department for Wednesday evenings. Mr. Leach requested that Council step in and request the Fire Department to stand down and cease their bingo activity on Wednesday evenings.
After much discussion,
MOVED BY Deputy Mayor Hood, SECONDED BY Councillor Dares that Council request that the Volunteer Fire Department cease and stand down their Wednesday night bingo for a period of six months and at the end of that time if it is demonstrated that the Volunteer Fire Department needs replacement of a portion of that money or all of it they would be entitled to make a request to the Council to fund them for the amount that they have lost. The Fire Department will be directed and encouraged if they do this to find alternative sources of revenue for that night that do not compete with the established bingo operations including their own.
After much discussion the mover and seconder agreed to withdraw the motion.
IT WAS AGREED that as the Fire Department had not had an opportunity to address Council on this matter, Council would hold a special meeting on Monday or Tuesday next week to hear their side of the bingo issue.
IT WAS AGREED that Council would meet on the shortest notice possible to deal with the bingo issue.
Editor’s Note: It was suggested this meeting be held Monday, December 15, 2003 at 2:00. The Secretary will confirm this with the Council.
CORRESPONDENCE FOR ACTION
NATURAL RESOURCES – REQUEST FOR PERMISSION FOR SIGNAGE
Correspondence from the Department of Natural Resources requesting permission for signage within the Town, was considered.
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MOVED BY Councillor Boudreau, SECONDED BY Councillor Dares the request from the Department of Natural Resources for permission for signage within the Town limits be referred to the Tourist Association.
MOTION CARRIED
REGION OF QUEENS MUNICIPALITY – PROPOSED FCM RESOLUTION
Correspondence from the Region of Queens Municipality requesting support for their proposed FCM resolution requesting changes to the existing Disaster Financial Assistance Program, was considered.
MOVED BY Councillor Dares, SECONDED BY Councillor Boudreau that Council support the request from the Region of Queens Municipality requesting the FCM strongly urge the Government of Canada to initiate an immediate grass roots consultation committee to review and rewrite the existing Disaster Financial Assistance Program to meet the needs of the residents and business sectors from all provinces in a timely manner.
MOTION CARRIED
SOUTHWEST NOVA BIOSPHERE RESERVE ASSOCIATION
Correspondence from the Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve Association requesting a letter of support for the biosphere reserve concept, was considered.
MOVED BY Councillor Boudreau, SECONDED BY Councillor Judge that Council forward a letter of support for the biosphere reserve concept.
MOTION CARRIED
MARINERS CENTRE – ADDITIONAL SEATING
Correspondence from Bob Osadchy, General Manager, Mariners Centre, regarding the possibility of government funding for the expansion of the seating at Mariners Centre, was considered.
MOVED BY Councillor Pink, SECONDED BY Deputy Mayor Hood that the correspondence from Mariners Centre regarding the possibility of government funding for the expansion of the seating at Mariners Centre be deferred until the CAO can provide additional information, i.e., cost analysis.
MOTION CARRIED
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CORRESPONDENCE FOR INFORMATION
CANADIAN SAILING EXPEDITIONS INC.
Correspondence from Randy Letto, Canadian Sailing Expeditions, advising that unfortunately Yarmouth had not been selected by Coastal Cruising Adventures as a 2004 “Port of Call” for the new expedition cruise vessel was reviewed. In his letter, Mr. Letto advised that plans for the 2005 season were not finalized and he would welcome input on how Yarmouth could be included in their cruise program.
MOVED BY Councillor Boudreau, SECONDED BY Councillor Dares that correspondence be forwarded to Mr. Letto, Canadian Sailing Expeditions, advising that Council would be interested in pursuing Yarmouth as a Port of Call for the cruise vessel Caledonia in 2005.
MOTION CARRIED
Editor’s Note: A copy of this correspondence is to be forwarded to the Yarmouth County Tourist Association for their support in pursuing Yarmouth as a Port of Call for the Caledonia.
PREVIOUSLY DISTRIBUTED CORRESPONDENCE
LETTER TO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE RE AIR SERVICE
In addition to the correspondence previously forwarded to the Chamber of Commerce regarding the air service,
MOVED BY Councillor Pink, SECONDED BY Councillor Strickland that the identical correspondence sent to the Chamber of Commerce be sent to the Airport Commission. Also that the Airport Commission be asked if they would meet with the Town and other municipal units to see if anything can be accomplished with regard to air service for this area.
MOTION CARRIED
REPORTS
FINANCE COMMITTEE
Councillor Pink inquired about the Town Solicitor position and was advised the CAO was presently advertising for this position.
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PARENTS PLACE
Councillor Pink advised he attended a meeting to September 4, 2003 at Parents Place where they discussed creating public awareness of the poverty in our community. He advised the next meeting is scheduled for January 22, 2004 and that he was unable to attend this meeting. Councillor Strickland advised he would be able to attend.
PLANNING ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Councillor Judge brought forward the following recommendations from the Planning Advisory Committee and Public Hearing:
MOVED BY Councillor Judge, SECONDED BY Councillor Dares, to amend the Municipal Planning Strategy and Land Use By-law to implement design provisions for accessory buildings and to prohibit the use of transportation vehicles and/or shipping containers as main or accessory buildings in residential ( R-1, R-2, R-3, R-2M, and R-H ) zoned areas as per the Planners Report (Appendix A)
MOTION CARRIED
MOVED BY Councillor Judge, SECONDED BY Councillor Strickland to amend the Municipal Planning Strategy and Land Use By-law to implement standards for accessory buildings in the C-1, C-2, C-3 and C-4 zones and for the Institutional ( I-1 ) zone as per the Planner’s Report. (Appendix B)
MOTION CARRIED
MOVED BY Councillor Judge, SECONDED BY Councillor Dares, to enter into a development agreement in order to establish an eight (8) room Senior’s Boarding/Rooming house at 187 Argyle Street as per the Planner’s Report. (Appendix C)
MOTION CARRIED
WATER UTILITY
Deputy Mayor Hood advised there would be another water test carried out prior to the end of December and expected positive results.
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OTHER COMMITTEES
JOINT HERITAGE COMMITTEE
Councillor Dares brought forward the following recommendation from the Public Hearing:
MOVED BY Councillor Dares, SECONDED BY Councillor Boudreau that Council approve the registration of 27-29 Willow Street as a municipal heritage property with the proposed alterations approved, in principle, as presented.
MOTION CARRIED
Councillor Dares advised that Mr. & Mrs. Dexter Sweeney withdrew their request to de-register their Heritage property on Market Street.
Councillor Dares advised that Mr. Peter McCracken, Leisure Services, has been elected the President of Recreation Nova Scotia. She also advised that Mr. Freeman Libby has resigned his position on the Leisure Services Committee.
MOVED BY Councillor Dares, SECONDED BY Deputy Mayor Hood that a letter of congratulations be forwarded to Peter McCracken for his appointment as President of Recreation Nova Scotia and a letter of thanks be forwarded to Freeman Libby for his past support to the Leisure Services Committee.
MOTION CARRIED
Councillor Dares also pointed out that there had been an increase in the number of bookings for the Milo Boat Club and she would provide additional information in January regarding the heating system.
JOINT EMERGENCY MEASURES
Councillor Boudreau advised he attended the Joint Emergency Measures Committee meeting on December 8, 2003. He advised they discussed the new public works building and the Committee agreed that the Chair of the Occupational Health and Safety Committee, with an employee from Public Works, tour the new facility and identify any possible safety issues.
MARINERS CENTRE MANAGEMENT BOARD
Councillor Boudreau commended the staff at Mariners Centre for their expediency in preparation for the Remembrance Day services.
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MOVED BY Councillor Boudreau, SECONDED BY Councillor Dares that a letter of thanks be forwarded to the staff at Mariners Centre commending them for their preparations for the Remembrance Day services and their expediency in readying the ice surface for regularly scheduled activities following those services.
MOTION CARRIED
DR. SEARCH COMMITTEE
Councillor Strickland provided an update on the activities of the Dr. Search Committee and indicated that municipal units are being requested to commit $5,000 annually for medical student(s) training and, in turn, receive a minimum of a four-year commitment from the intern.
MOVED BY Councillor Strickland, SECONDED BY Councillor Boudreau that the request from the Dr. Search Committee for a $5,000 commitment, annually, per intern, be referred to the Finance Committee.
MOTION CARRIED
CHRISTMAS TREE
Mayor Crosby took this opportunity to thank James Hayes for the donation of the Christmas tree.
NEW YEAR’S LEVEE
Mayor Crosby invited Council and the general public to attend the new Year’s Levee scheduled for 11:00 p.m. on New Year’s Day and advised donations to the food bank were welcome.
APPROVAL OF THE INVOICES
MOVED BY Councillor Dares, SECONDED BY Councillor Pink, that the invoices as approved by the various chairs be authorized for payment.
MOTION CARRIED
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DATE OF NEXT MEETING
IT WAS AGREED the next meeting would be scheduled for January 8, 2004.
Mayor Crosby, on behalf of him and his wife, Irene, wished Council and staff a Merry Christmas and on behalf of Council wished the general public a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 9:10 p.m.
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MAYOR
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CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER