Council Minutes
February 10, 2005
A meeting of the Town Council of the Town of Yarmouth was held on Thursday, February 10th, 2005, in the Council Chambers of the Town Hall, Yarmouth, N. S.
CALL TO ORDER
The Mayor called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. with the playing of O= Canada.
RECORD OF ATTENDANCE
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOVED BY Councillor Strickland, SECONDED BY Councillor Pink that the agenda be approved as circulated.
MOTION CARRIED
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOVED BY Councillor , SECONDED BY Councillor that the minutes of January 13th, 2005, (Public Works, Public Hearing & Regular Council) be approved, as circulated.
MOTION CARRIED
BUSINESS
PENSION BY-LAW SECOND READING
The CAO reviewed an amendment to the Pension and Life Assurance Plan By-law, No. 25.
PAGE 3249
MOVED BY Councillor Hood, SECONDED BY Councillor Dares that Second Reading of the Pension Plan By-law be approved.
MOTION CARRIED
YARMOUTH AREA INDUSTRIAL COMMISSION RE: MARINERS CENTRE
The CAO brought forward a recommendation from an A In Committee@ meeting regarding a request from the Yarmouth Area Industrial Commission for proposed funding for an expansion to Mariners Centre.
MOVED BY Councillor Dares, SECONDED BY Councillor Boudreau that Council ratify the recommendation from an In Committee meeting regarding funding for an expansion to Mariners Centre.
MOTION CARRIED
COMMITTEE APPOINTMENT RE: TIPPING FEES
The CAO brought forward a request from the Municipality of the District of Argyle for a representative to participate in an A ad hoc@ committee to look into the possibility of covering tipping fees.
Councillor Boudreau volunteered to be on this Committee, however, as Councillors Hood and Dares are representatives on WasteCheck, it was suggested that Councillor Dares be the Town representative on this committee.
MOVED BY Councillor Strickland, SECONDED BY Councillor Hood that Councillor Dares be appointed the Town representative to meet with Councillor Muise from the District of Argyle and Councillor Anthony from the District of Yarmouth to discuss tipping fees.
MOTION CARRIED
DELEGATIONS
GORDON MACPHERSON, COMMUNITY SERVICES (HOUSING SERVICES)
Mayor Crosby welcomed Mr. Gordon MacPherson to the meeting.
PAGE 3250
Mr. MacPherson provided a brief summary of programs that are available through the Housing Options for Lower Income Nova Scotians as follows: Provincial Loan and Mortgage Programs, Grants for Home Repairs, Provincial Housing Emergency Repair Program, Help for Major Repairs and Adaptations for Homeowners, Help for Major Repairs and Adaptations for Landlords, Rental Housing (Seniors, Family & Rent Supplement), and Other programs as defined in Appendix A.
Concerns were expressed regarding the need for affordable housing programs for this area as well as repairs to homes, etc. Mr. MacPherson advised they receive many requests for these programs and that is was not possible to serve them all. He did mention however, that they were reviewing the process for rental housing and that the proposal closes on February 16 and they would have more information after that date.
Questions arose regarding home ownership options within a designated area. Mr. MacPherson advised this was now a multi-step process and that it would help if serviced lots were available. He also advised he would provide the CAO with instructions on the designation process and that having more than one designation would be more difficult but not impossible.
After discussion regarding the housing stock within the Town of Yarmouth,
MOVED BY Councillor Hood, SECONDED BY Councillor Dares that Council forward correspondence to the Department of Community Services, through Mr. Gordon MacPherson, requesting they provide the Town of Yarmouth with personnel assistance to carry out an inventory of housing for the Town. Also to see if the Municipality of the District of Yarmouth is interested in such a program.
MOTION CARRIED
BARBARA HINCKLEY, YARMOUTH COUNTY TRAIL DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION
Mayor Crosby welcomed Ms. Barbara Hinckley who gave a presentation on the Yarmouth County Trail Development Association (Appendix B). Ms. Hinckley requested a letter of support from the Town for a development plan by the Association.
MOVED BY Councillor Boudreau, SECONDED BY Councillor Strickland that a letter of support, in principle, be forwarded to the Yarmouth County Trail Development Association.
MOTION CARRIED
PAGE 3251
LYMAN JACKSON, N S LIQUOR COMMISSION LOCATION
Mayor Crosby welcomed Mr. Lyman Jackson who presented his concerns regarding the relocation of the Nova Scotia Liquor Commission. Mr. Jackson stated the liquor store was a vital part of the downtown and that it was located in the best place to serve the needs of the people.
MOVED BY Councillor Judge, SECONDED BY Councillor Dares that a letter be forwarded to the MLA expressing the opinion that our present liquor store is in the best place to service the needs of its patrons in the Yarmouth area.
MOTION CARRIED
BUSINESS
CORRESPONDENCE FOR ACTION
JASON HOLLETT, SOUTH WEST SHORE ENERGY OFFICE RE: LETTER OF SUPPORT
Correspondence from Jason Hollett, South West Shore Energy Office, requesting a letter of support to aid in funding applications for a climate change workshop, was considered.
MOVED BY Councillor Strickland, SECONDED BY Councillor Dares that a letter of support be forwarded to the South West Shore Energy Office for funding for a climate change workshop.
MOTION CARRIED
NANCY SAUNDERS RE: NEW LAND REGISTRATION SYSTEM
Correspondence from Nancy Saunders regarding a province wide implementation of the new Land Registration System, was considered.
MOVED BY Councillor Boudreau, SECONDED BY Councillor Dares that an invitation be extended to Ms. Nancy Saunders, Land Registration System to make a presentation to Council.
MOTION CARRIED
JIM CAMPBELL B NS SPORT AND RECREATION RE: MUNICIPAL SEMINAR
Correspondence from Jim Campbell, Sport and Recreation, advising of a seminar for municipal officials, was considered.
PAGE 3252
MOVED BY Councillor Hood, SECONDED BY Councillor Boudreau that Councillor Dares attend the Nova Scotia Sport and Recreation Municipal Seminar.
MOTION CARRIED
Editor= s Note:
CHRIS D= ENTREMONT RE: HEALTH CARE IN SOUTHWESTERN NOVA SCOTIA
Correspondence from Chris d= Entremont, MLA, requesting a representative for a committee to look into the possibility of establishing a medical clinic in the Town of Yarmouth, was considered.
MOVED BY Councillor Dares, SECONDED BY Councillor Boudreau that Councillor Hood be appointed to a Committee to look into the possibility of establishing a medical clinic.
MOTION CARRIED
HOPE RE: TRANSPORTATION FUNDING
Correspondence from HOPE requesting consideration for transportation funding was considered.
MOVED BY Councillor Pink, SECONDED BY Councillor Dares that the request for funding from HOPE be referred to the Finance Committee for consideration.
MOTION CARRIED
CORRESPONDENCE FOR INFORMATION
PLANNING CONFERENCE
Correspondence from the Nova Scotia Planning Directors Association advising of the Association= s annual spring conference, was reviewed.
Councillor Boudreau expressed an interest in attending this conference.
MOVED BY Councillor Judge, SECONDED BY Councillor Pink that Councillor Boudreau be authorized to attend the Nova Scotia Planning Directors Association annual spring conference.
MOTION CARRIED
PAGE 3253
REPORTS
FINANCE COMMITTEE
Deputy Mayor Pink advised the next meeting of the Finance Committee is scheduled for March 12, 2005 commencing at 9:00 a.m. Grants to organizations will be considered at this time.
FIRE POLICY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Deputy Mayor Pink brought forward a recommendation from the Fire Policy Advisory Committee that Tim Clarke receive Veteran Status.
MOVED BY Deputy Mayor Pink, SECONDED BY Councillor Dares that the request for Tim Clarke to receive Veterans Status be approved.
MOTION CARRIED
Deputy Mayor Pink advised a Fire Policy Advisory Committee meeting was scheduled for February 15, 2005 at 4:00 p.m. at the Town Hall.
PLANNING ADVISORY COMMITTEE
The Chair of the Planning Advisory Committee brought forward the following recommendations from the Public Participation meeting and Planning Advisory Committee meeting of January 31, 2005 and the Public Hearing of February 10, 2005.
MOVED BY Councillor Judge, SECONDED BY Councillor Dares to amend an existing development agreement between the owners of 46 Vancouver Street and the Town of Yarmouth to enable the erection of a ground sign at 46 Vancouver Street.
MOTION CARRIED
MOVED BY Councillor Judge, SECONDED BY Councillor Dares to amend Part 6, signage provisions of the Town= s Land Use By-law to enable business premises located within multiple occupancy buildings that exceed 80,000 square feet in gross commercial floor area to erect a maximum of three (3) facial wall signs per wall as outlined in the Planner= s report.
MOTION CARRIED
PAGE 3254
MOVED BY Councillor Judge, SECONDED BY Councillor Dares to advertise for a public hearing in order to consider and if deemed advisable amend the Municipal Planning Strategy, in particular Policies 1.18(B) and 6.11(B) and the Land Use By-law, Part 7.3(B), to enable A restaurants with an eating establishment liquor license@ and an A inn with a special premises liquor license@ in registered heritage properties located within the residential designation immediately abutting the Central Business District designation by development agreement; and concurrently amend the development agreement between the owners of 27 Willow Street and the Town of Yarmouth to enable the establishment of a A restaurant with an eating establishment liquor license@ and an A inn with a special premises liquor license@ at 27 Willow Street.
MOTION CARRIED
MOVED BY Councillor Judge, SECONDED BY Councillor Boudreau that an application to amend the Land Use By-law, in particular the Zoning Map, Schedule A A@ , thereby rezoning 77 Starrs Road from General Commercial (C-2) to Downtown Commercial (C-1), be refused.
Editor= s Note:
MOVED BY Councillor Judge, SECONDED BY Councillor Strickland that an application to amend the Land Use By-law, in particular the Zoning Map, Schedule A A@ , thereby rezoning 77 Starrs Road from General Commercial (C-2) to Downtown Commercial (C-1), be refused.
MOTION CARRIED
Editor= s Note:
LAKE GEORGE WATERSHED MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
Councillor Hood advised a meeting of the Lake George Watershed Management Committee was scheduled for Monday, February 14, 2005.
JOINT LEISURE SERVICES COMMITTEE
Councillor Dares reported the new Director for Joint Leisure Services is Frank Grant.
PAGE 3255
WATERFRONT DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
Councillor Hood advised the process for the replacement for the Waterfront Development Coordinator is still ongoing.
JOINT EMERGENCY MEASURES COMMITTEE
Councillor Strickland advised there is an open house for scheduled for April 16, 2005 and an exercise planned for April 17, 2005 and he encouraged the public to take part. He also reported that an invitation had been extended to Chief Deborah Robinson to attend the EMO meetings and was pleased to report she will be taking an active role in the EMO.
YARMOUTH COUNTY TOURIST ASSOCIATION
Councillor Strickland advised the annual A Winter Thaw@ that was scheduled for February 15, 2005 had been postponed.
Councillor Strickland also advised of an upcoming meeting regarding the amalgamation of the tourist associations including Clare, Argyle, the South Shore and the Town of Yarmouth. In response to questions, Councillor Strickland advised that any amalgamation process put in place would still have to be reviewed by Council and any funds allocated would have to be on an equal basis.
Editor= s Note:
Concerns were expressed that the Town of Yarmouth was not being adequately promoted.
MARINERS CENTRE MANAGEMENT BOARD
The CAO referred to the Mariners Centre Management Board minutes and referenced a complaint regarding seating/tickets for physically challenged individuals and advised staff will be exploring possibilities to accommodate these requests. He also advised if there is an expansion to Mariners Centre, specifically seating, that provisions will be made for attendees to attend functions with disabled persons.
SOUTHWEST SHORE DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
Mayor Crosby advised a meeting of the South West Shore Development Authority was scheduled for Wednesday, February 16, 2005 in Barrington.
PAGE 3256
YARMOUTH COUNTY INDUSTRIAL COMMISSION
Deputy Mayor Pink brought forth a recommendation from an In Committee meeting as follows:
MOVED BY Deputy Mayor Pink, SECONDED BY Councillor Hood that Carl Doty be appointed as the Town representative of the Yarmouth County Industrial Commission.
MOTION CARRIED
Editor= s Note:
DOCTORS= ASSISTANCE COMMITTEE
Councillor Strickland advised although there had been no meeting recently, he was pleased to report that the College of Physicians has accepted internationally trained doctors. He reiterated the need for funding for students going into training for medical professions as well as funding for programs for nurse practitioners.
YARMOUTH HOSPITAL CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
Councillor Hood advised the Yarmouth Hospital Charitable Foundation was active in coordinating a meeting among various groups and community stakeholders through the South West Shore Development Association to provide an incentive fund to enable a committee of physicians to get together and try to recruit doctors for this area.
WASTECHECK
The CAO advised a meeting is scheduled for Monday, February 14, 2005 to work on a long term contract with the Town. He stressed the importance of ensuring this contract meet the needs of the Town.
NEW BUSINESS
HOUSING
Councillor Strickland referred to the shortage in affordable housing and suggested the Town work with the private sector to use government monies to provide affordable low income housing.
After discussion,
PAGE 3257
IT WAS AGREED to refer to an earlier motion and work with Mr. Gordon MacPherson, Department of Community Services as a first step in the process for affordable housing for the Town.
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
Councillor Boudreau advised that February was Black History Month and encouraged everyone to visit the Yarmouth County Museum, 22 Collins Street, to view the Lester Sykes exhibit on Friday, February 11, 2005 at 4:00 p.m.
Councillor Boudreau also wished all the ladies a Happy Valentines Day.
STAFF REPORTS
COMPOST FACILITY
The CAO advised the Town had received official notice that the Ministerial Order regarding the Compost Facility had been revoked by the Minister. He noted this was a show of confidence from the Department of Environment of the work being done to control the odour at the Compost Facility. He also advised although the notice was received, the Town was still undertaking an odour monitoring program several times a day to obtain variables on the causes of the odour in order to control or minimize the odours.
BUS SERVICE
The CAO referred to a memo circulated to Council regarding the present bus service. He requested this be referred to the March meeting.
In response to questions, the CAO advised the reason a van was temporarily being utilized instead of the regular bus was due to the fact the bus was in for repairs.
APPROVAL OF THE INVOICES
MOVED BY Councillor Strickland, SECONDED BY Deputy Mayor Pink that the invoices as approved by the various chairpersons be approved.
MOTION CARRIED
DATE OF NEXT MEETING
IT WAS AGREED the next regular meeting would be scheduled for March 10th, 2005.
PAGE 3258
ADJOURNMENT
MOVED BY Deputy Mayor Pink, SECONDED BY Councillor Dares that the meeting be adjourned at 9:46 p.m.
___________________________________
MAYOR
___________________________________
CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER