Council Minutes
February 21, 2002
A meeting of the Town of Yarmouth was held on Thursday, February 21, 2002CALL 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 Councilor Dares, SECONDED BY Councilor Pink to approve the Agenda with additions.
MOTION CARRIED
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOVED BY Councilor Pink, SECONDED BY Councilor Strickland that the following minutes be approved as circulated:
MOTION CARRIED
PRESENTATION
Dave Whiting, Yarmouth Development Corporation, presented the Mayor and Council with license plates depicting the "Yarmouth -- Historic Seaport" logo in recognition for their support over the years.
Mayor Crosby thanked Mr. Whiting for the presentation to Council.
PRESENTATION
Mayor Crosby welcomed the 4th Yarmouth Scouts Troop and presented them with Town pins. He advised they were working on their citizenship badges.
BUSINESS ARISING
SMOKING BY-LAW
The Town Solicitor reviewed a proposed Smoking By-Law, following discussion...
MOVED BY Councilor Pink, SECONDED BY Councilor Judge that Council approve first reading of the Smoking By-Law. (Appendix "A")
MOTION CARRIED
CORRESPONDENCE FOR ACTION
ROBERT HART RE: CLIPPER SHIP
Correspondence from Robert Hart regarding the noise and disturbances emitting from the Clipper Ship was considered.
MOVED BY Councilor Dares, SECONDED BY Councilor Pink that staff be authorized to purchase a second meter to measure decibels and that it be provided to the RCMP for further monitoring of the noise level at the Clipper Ship.
MOTION CARRIED
GARY LEACH RE: GRANT -- DOMTEX
Correspondence from Gary Leach, Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Club, requesting approval of the first installment of the Grant for the leasehold improvements for the DomTex building, was considered.
MOVED BY Councilor Pink, SECONDED BY Councilor Boudreau that the first installment of the Grant for the improvements to the DomTex building be given to the Boys & Girls Club.
MOTION CARRIED
DANIELLE AMIRAULT RE: PROVINCIAL VOLUNTEER WEEK
Correspondence from Daniel Amirault regarding Provincial Volunteer Week was considered. Councilor Dares encouraged Council to forward any nominations to Danielle Amirault in order that volunteers in our community can be appropriately recognized.
BRIAN HOLLAND RE: MARINE RESOURCE CENTRE
Correspondence from Brian Holland, Municipality of the District of Barrington, requesting support in locating the Marine Resource Centre in Western Shelburne County, was considered.
MOVED BY Councilor Strickland, SECONDED BY Councilor Boudreau that a letter be written to the Municipality of Barrington, indicating that the Town of Yarmouth supports locating a Marine Resource Centre in Southwest Nova Scotia.
MOTION CARRIED
KATHRYN STOCKMAN RE: BLOCK PARENT ASSOCIATION REQUEST
Correspondence from Kathryn Stockman, Block Parent Association, requesting financial support for the 25th Annual Provincial Conference, was considered.
MOVED BY Councilor Dares, SECONDED BY Councilor Strickland that financial support in the amount $300 be provided for the 25th Annual Provincial Block Parent Association Conference.
MOTION CARRIED
MAUREEN HOPE RE: LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR VISIT
Correspondence from Maureen Hope, Executive Assistant to the Lieutenant Governor regarding the Lieutenant Governor's upcoming visit was considered.
IT WAS AGREED to that a joint function would be planned with the Municipality of Yarmouth regarding the Lieutenant Governor's upcoming visit in July.
YARMOUTH LYONS CLUB REQUEST
Correspondence from the Lyons Club requesting property tax exemption was considered.
MOVED BY Councilor Pink, SECONDED BY Councilor Strickland the request for property tax exemption from the Lyons Club be referred to budget for deliberation.
MOTION CARRIED
YARMOUTH GARDEN CLUB REQUEST
Correspondence was received from Charlotte Throp, Yarmouth Garden Club, requesting a grant to assist the Club with producing their yearly brochure.
MOVED BY Councilor Pink, SECONDED BY Councilor Strickland the request for a grant from the Yarmouth Garden Club be referred to budget for deliberation.
MOTION CARRIED
PORT OF YARMOUTH
Correspondence from Dave Whiting, Port of Yarmouth, requesting ratification from Town Council regarding a list of proposed members, was considered.
MOVED BY Councilor Strickland, SECONDED BY Councilor Boudreau that Council approve the list of committee members as submitted by the Port of Yarmouth.
MOTION CARRIED
TOWN OF DIGBY RE: HEALTH CARE
Correspondence from the Town of Digby regarding a regional meeting to discuss ongoing problems affecting health care was considered. The session is scheduled to begin at 6:30 on Tuesday, February 26, 2002.
UNIFORM ASSESSMENT
Correspondence from Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations including a summary of the calculations of the uniform assessment for use in the year ending March 31, 2003, was circulated and reviewed. It was noted that the uniform assessment had been increased to include the assessed or capitalized value of properties exempted from taxation as a result of the Town's By-law. In response to questions, it was reported the reduced of approximately $121,000 would be equivalent to .05 (five cents) of the taxable assessment.
In response to questions, the CAO indicated he would provide additional information regarding the increase in uniform assessment for consideration at the next meeting of Council.
REPORTS
STANDING COMMITTEES
FINANCE COMMITTEE
Councilor Pink reported the CUPE agreement had been ratified and in keeping with past practices the following motion resulted:
MOVED BY Councilor Pink, SECONDED BY Councilor Strickland that the salary scale for non-unionized employees be increased effective January 1, 2001, to be more representative of the increases granted to other employees through negotiations.
MOTION CARRIED
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE
MOVED BY Councilor Dares, SECONDED BY Councilor Pink that the contract for the Slide In Sand Salt Spreader be awarded to the lowest tender, Ocean Truck Equipment in the amount of $13,965.00.
MOTION CARRIED
PLANNING ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Editor's Note:
The application to proceed with issuing a development agreement to Daniel MacIsaac for a Convenience Store/Lunch Counter at 48 Main Street was withdrawn.
JOINT HERITAGE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Councilor Dares advised membership had been increased and a quorum for meetings would now consist of any seven members to make a recommendation to Council.
MOVED BY Councilor Dares, SECONDED BY Councilor Boudreau that a quorum of seven members is sufficient to make a recommendation to Council.
MOTION CARRIED
JOINT LEISURE SERVICES COMMITTEE
Councilor Dares advised the new Executive Director of Leisure Services is Peter McCracken, who will be attending the next meeting.
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH & SAFETY COMMITTEE
Councilor Boudreau advised the meeting had been cancelled until further notice. He also noted an incident at the Lake George Watershed had been rectified. OTHER COMMITTEES
EXHIBITION PARK MANAGEMENT BOARD
Questions arose regarding revenue associated by ice rental at the Mariners Centre. The CAO advised he would obtain and provide additional information to Council early next week.
STAFF
COMMITTEE LIST
An updated Committee List was provided to Council, however it was noted a resignation had been received from a member of the Leisure Services Committee. The CAO advised he would be in touch with another individual for this appointment.
MOVED BY Councilor Pink, SECONDED BY Councilor Strickland to approve the appointment to the Leisure Services Committee.
MOTION CARRIED
RECOMMENDATIONS FROM COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED BY Councilor Dares, SECONDED BY Councilor Pink that the following recommendations of an In Camera meeting of February 11, 2002 be approved:
That the Mayor and CAO be authorized to sign the easement agreement with the Mountain View Cemetery (Appendix B)
That the Council accept the highest tender for the sale of property at 25 Moody's Lane and that the Solicitor be authorized to prepare the appropriate documentation, noting the legal requirements relative to right-of-ways.
That Council invite merchants and residents of the Milton area to a general meeting to discuss the recently completed Traffic Study and resulting recommendation relative to the parking.
That Council authorizes the installation of additional street lighting on Cottage Street in accordance with the CAO's recommendation.
MOTION CARRIED
TENDERING POLICY
An issue regarding the Town's tendering policy and a decision to award work for a storm drainage system for the Mariners Centre, was discussed at length.
IT WAS AGREED the Solicitor would be provided with all relevant information and would provide a report to Council at its next meeting.
The CAO advised he had concerns with regard to public perception and reiterated that neither the Town nor its employees were responsible for any decision made in consideration of any tender being awarded concerning the Storm Drainage system at the Mariners Centre. This was a Steering Committee, not Town or Municipality, decision. He advised the decision to award the extra work to the contractor on site was made by the Steering Committee which is made up of representatives from the following: the three municipal units, Skate Yarmouth, Exhibition Board, Regional Development Authority, Tourism, ACOA, Nova Scotia Economic Development, Nova Scotia Sport and Recreation, and the architects, Sperry & Partners.
The CAO advised the current tendering policy is out of date and should be revised. He agreed to provide a list of possible revisions for the next Council meeting.
APPROVAL OF INVOICES
MOVED BY Councilor Dares, SECONDED BY Councilor Judge the invoices, as approved by the individual chairs, be authorized for payment.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING
IT WAS AGREED the next meeting be scheduled for March 14, 2002.
ADJOURN
The Meeting adjourned at 9:14 p.m.
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MAYOR
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CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER