Council Minutes
Council Minutes
February 12, 2004
A meeting of the Town Council of the Town of Yarmouth was held on Thursday, February 12, 2004.
CALL TO ORDER
The Mayor called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. with the playing of O’Canada.
RECORD OF ATTENDANCE
REGRETS
INTRODUCTION
Deputy Mayor Hood took this opportunity to formally introduce Mr. Greg Barro, and congratulated him on his appointment as Solicitor for the Town of Yarmouth.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOVED BY Councillor Dares, SECONDED BY Councillor Strickland that the agenda be approved with the following additions under Correspondence:
8. A. f) Boys & Girls Club re: Request for Funding
8. A. g) Airport Commission re: Request for Funding
8. A. h) Yarmouth Lions Club re: Request for Funding
8. A. i) SPCA re: Request for Additional Funding
MOTION CARRIED
PAGE 3080
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
MOVED BY Councillor Boudreau, SECONDED BY Councillor Dares, that the minutes of January 8, 2004 (Public Hearing & Regular), be approved with the following amendments:
Pg 3077, the soccer field in question is at Maple Grove not Meadowfields.
Pg 3072, regarding the Lobster Classic the mover was Councillor Dares, the seconder was Councillor Strickland.
MOTION CARRIED
BUSINESS ARISING
PENSION PLAN
The CAO advised additional information regarding the Pension Plan would be provided at the March 11, 2004 Council meeting.
CORRESPONDENCE FOR ACTION
YARMOUTH AREA INDUSTRIAL COMMISSION RE TRANSPORTATION ISSUES
Correspondence from Frank Anderson, Yarmouth Area Industrial Commission, requesting financial assistance to defray costs for a meeting regarding transportation issues on February 16, 2004, was considered.
MOVED BY Councillor Boudreau, seconded by Councillor Pink that the request for $750 toward costs associated with a meeting regarding transportation issues and the future of Transportation in Yarmouth on February 16, 2004, be approved.
MOTION CARRIED
YARMOUTH COUNTY MUSEUM AND HISTORICAL RESEARCH LIBRARY
Correspondence from Eric Ruff, Director/Curator, Yarmouth County Museum and Historical Research Library requesting approval for signage, was considered.
MOVED BY Councillor Pink, SECONDED BY Councillor Dares the request from the Yarmouth County Museum and Historical Research Library for approval for signage, be referred to the Planning Advisory Committee for their consideration.
MOTION CARRIED
PAGE 3081
ANN GREEN RE: BLANCHE SURETTE
Correspondence from Ann Green requesting financial assistance for Blanche Surette to help defray the cost of the removal of construction debris from her property was considered.
The CAO advised that Ms. Surette was advised of the steps that Council had taken upon receipt of her request and that Council had no ability to do anything further. Ms. Surette was advised of the Town’s By-law that enables Council to provide a partial exemption from property taxes to qualified individuals and was forwarded a copy of this By-law and application.
TREPA
Correspondence from Daniel Earle, President, TREPA, requesting Council’s position regarding wetlands, was considered.
MOVED BY Councillor Judge, SECONDED BY Councillor Strickland that the request from TREPA requesting Council’s position on wetlands, be tabled for discussion at a future meeting.
MOTION CARRIED
Deputy Mayor Hood provided an overview of the improvements the Town of Yarmouth has made with regard to the environment.
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT RE: COMPOST FACILITY
The CAO advised he had met and discussed areas of concern regarding the Compost Facility with Mr. Bob Petrie of the Department of Environment and Labour. He also advised the Town was still working with the consultants at CBCL regarding the ventilation system and that anaerobic material and feed stock was still a problem. To help alleviate the problem controls will be put in place for delivery of feed stock and anaerobic material will be refused altogether.
BOYS & GIRLS CLUB RE PLAYGROUND
Correspondence from Gary Leach, Executive Director, Boys & Girls Club advising they will be unable to operate the South Main Street Playground in 2004, was considered.
MOVED BY Councillor Boudreau, SECONDED BY Councillor Dares that the operation of the South Main Street Playground for 2004, be referred to the Joint Leisure Services Committee for consideration.
MOTION CARRIED
PAGE 3082
AIRPORT COMMISSION RE: FUNDING REQUEST
Correspondence from Keith Condon, Chairman, Yarmouth Airport Commission, requesting financial assistance, was considered.
MOVED BY Councillor Boudreau, SECONDED BY Councillor Dares the request for financial assistance from the Yarmouth Airport Commission, be referred to the Finance Committee for consideration.
MOTION CARRIED
YARMOUTH LIONS CLUB RE: FUNDING REQUEST
Correspondence from Sid Francis, Yarmouth Lions Club, requesting financial assistance in the amount of $250 to help defray the costs associated with the Lions Nova Scotia Convention, was considered.
MOVED BY Councillor Boudreau, SECONDED BY Councillor Dares that the request from the Yarmouth Lions Club for financial assistance in the amount of $250 to help defray the costs associated with the Lions Nova Scotia Convention scheduled for April 23-25, 2004, be approved.
MOTION CARRIED
SPCA RE: FUNDING REQUEST
MOVED BY Councillor Strickland, SECONDED BY Councillor Judge that the request from the SPCA for an increase in service fees from $17,500 to $19,250 be referred to the Finance Committee for consideration.
MOTION CARRIED
CORRESPONDENCE FOR INFORMATION
FEDERATION OF CANADIAN MUNICIPALITIES RE: NEW DEAL FOR CANADA’S MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENTS
Further to information received from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities regarding GST Rebates to municipalities,
PAGE 3083
MOVED BY Councillor Boudreau, SECONDED BY Councillor Strickland that correspondence be forwarded to the Federal Government expressing Council’s appreciation for their positive decision relative to returning the GST Municipal Governments.
MOTION CARRIED
MUNICIPALITY OF THE DISTRICT OF YARMOUTH RE: NATIVE FISHERY COURT CASE
Correspondence from the Municipality of the District of Yarmouth regarding a an upcoming meeting of the Native Fishery Court Case scheduled for March 5, 2004, was considered. Interested members were advised to contact the Municipal Office if they planned to attend.
BOB KILLAM RE GREG WARNER
A letter of thanks was received from Mr. Bob Killam regarding the dinner held for Mr. Greg Warner upon his retirement as Town Solicitor and appointment as Judge of the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia. Mr. Killam expressed his appreciation for the invitation and pointed out that the remarks made following the dinner were very appropriate and well done.
REPORTS
FINANCE COMMITTEE
Councillor Pink advised the next Finance Committee meeting would be scheduled for the latter part of February or early in March. He advised the date for reviewing Grant Applications would be chosen at that time.
MOVED BY Councillor Pink, SECONDED BY Councillor Boudreau that the CAO be authorized to proceed with the Grants to Organizations policy and place an ad notifying the public of the deadline for applications.
MOTION CARRIED
Editor’s Note: Once the applications have been received all qualifying applicants will be notified
of the date for consideration by Council.
PUBLIC WORKS
Deputy Mayor Hood advised the public of the staff shortage within the Public Works Department and asked that the public continue to have patience during the breaks in pipes, water leaks, stoppages, etc.
PAGE 3084
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 Boudreau to enter into a development agreement to establish ten (10) dwelling units at 1-3 Kirk Street. (Appendix A)
MOVED BY Councillor Judge, SECONDED BY Councillor Strickland to amend the Municipal Planning Strategy, in particular Policy 2.2.3 and concurrently amend the Land Use By-law, in particular Part 16.1 to add “Construction Trade and Contractors” as a use permitted within the General Commercial (C-2) zone and to amend Part 27, definitions, by inserting a definition of “construction trade and contractors.” (Appendix B)
MOTION CARRIED
MOVED BY Councillor Judge, SECONDED BY Councillor Boudreau to advertise for a public hearing in order to consider and if deemed advisable amend the Municipal Planning Strategy, in particular the Generalized Future Land Use Map, by redesigning lands north of 108 Starrs Road from Residential to General Commercial and concurrently implement a policy, Policy 2.2.15 to enable Council to consider rezonings from R-H to C-2 within the General Commercial Designation.
MOTION CARRIED
WATER UTILITY
Deputy Mayor Hood reviewed the Engineer’s Report and provided the following THM results in comparison from last March to December:
March 13/03 180 (Prior to Completion of Phase 2)
June 25/03 200 (Prior to Completion of Phase 2)
September 16/03 72 (Phase 2 Treatment Plant on Line)
December 12/03 41 (Phase 2 Treatment Plant on Line)
The Deputy Mayor advised the results of testing were encouraging and that the system is working.
PAGE 3085
OTHER COMMITTEES
JOINT LEISURE SERVICES COMMITTEE
Councillor Boudreau advised of the upcoming First Annual Winter Carnival scheduled for February 13 - 22, 2004. He provided an overview of the activities planned and advised that most of the activities were free of charge.
Councillor Boudreau took this opportunity to wish all the ladies a Happy Valentines Day.
WATERFRONT DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
Deputy Mayor Hood advised the Waterfront Development Corporation had met earlier this week, reviewed its mandate and will be making a presentation to Council in the near future.
JOINT EMO
Councillor Boudreau advised the Joint Emergency Measures Organization met on February 3, 2004. He advised the Nova Scotia Community College, Burridge Campus would make desks for the EMO building.
Councillor Boudreau also advised the EMO is looking for a Communications Officer (volunteer position). Interested persons may call 742-2722.
STAFF REPORTS
The CAO advised Council was required to appoint a Returning Officer and a Deputy Returning Officer for the upcoming fall election.
MOVED BY Councillor Pink, SECONDED BY Councillor Strickland that the CAO’s recommendation be accepted and appoint Marie Atkinson as Returning Officer and Linda Surette as Deputy Returning Officer for the upcoming fall elections.
MOTION CARRIED
MUNICIPAL REPORTING
The CAO advised the Province is requiring that all municipal units follow the recommendations set out in the Public Sector Accounting Board (PSAB) standards. These standards impact on the accounting practices and financial statement presentation of municipal units and is intended to make better information available for decision making and accountability.
PAGE 3086
MOVED BY Councillor Dares, SECONDED BY Councillor Pink that the CAO be authorized to have our financial statement compliant with Public Sector Accounting Board standards no later than March 31, 2005.
MOTION CARRIED
CANADIAN CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS EXEMPTIONS
The CAO reviewed the Canadian Charitable Organizations By-law No. 27.
MOVED BY Councillor Dares, SECONDED BY Councillor Pink that First Reading of the Canadian Charitable Organizations, be approved.
MOTION CARRIED
PROPOSED IDLING CONTROL BYLAW
The CAO advised that additional information will be available regarding the proposed Idling Control Bylaw at the next Council meeting.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The CAO reviewed the Financial Statements to the end of January.
3 YEAR BUDGET
The CAO provided an overview of a budget for the 2004/05/06 years.
REPORT FROM CAO
The CAO advised this would probably be his last Council meeting and provided an overview of the activities of the Town over the past ten years.
December 1990 March 31, 2003
Budget $8,220.029 $10,748,356
Revenue from Taxes $4,876,707 or 59% $8,070,349 or 75%
Revenue from Conditional
& Unconditional Grants $2,079,376 or 25.30% $269,022 or 2.50%
PAGE 3087
Surplus $153,560 $257,282
Spl. Cap. Reserve $122,179 $2,346,458
Reserve $5,000
TOTAL $280,739 or 3.42% $2,603,740 or 24.22%
The CAO identified a number of projects that were completed during that time.
Sewage Treatment Plant
Town Hall
Lighted Ball Fields
Mariners Centre
A landfill operation that is second to none in the Province
A compost facility that will meet the needs of all Municipal Units in the Tri-County area
Major infrastructure associated with Waste Water – storm water separation
The Correctional Facility (and storm and water drainage – $600,000)
Capital expenditures of approximately $9 million for the Water Utility
In excess of $1 million for new fire trucks and equipment
An investment of approximately $7 million in the Waterfront
The CAO advised the official opening of a $1.5 million Public Works facility, will be announced in the near future.
Deputy Mayor Hood thanked the CAO for his summary and congratulated him on his accomplishments for the Town.
APPROVAL OF THE INVOICES
MOVED BY Councillor Strickland, SECONDED BY Councillor Dares, that the invoices as approved by the various chairs be authorized for payment.
MOTION CARRIED
DATE OF NEXT MEETING
IT WAS AGREED the next meeting would be scheduled for March 11, 2004.
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 8:26 p.m.
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MAYOR
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CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER