Council Minutes
January 13, 2005
A meeting of the Town Council of the Town of Yarmouth was held on Thursday, January 13th, 2005, in the Council Chambers of the Town Hall, Yarmouth, N. S.
CALL TO ORDER
The Deputy Mayor called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. with the playing of O= Canada.
RECORD OF ATTENDANCE
REGRETS
Mayor Charles Crosby
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOVED BY Councillor Strickland, SECONDED BY Councillor Dares that the agenda be approved, with the following additions:
8. Reports -- Yarmouth Development Corporation (Councillor Hood)
-- EMO (Councillor Strickland)
-- WasteCheck (Councillor Boudreau)
10. New Business -- Telecom & Skate Yarmouth (Councillor Dares)
-- Cystic Fibrosis (Councillor Hood)
-- Ernie Bolivar, former Mayor Bridgewater (Deputy Mayor Pink
MOTION CARRIED
PAGE 3235
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOVED BY Councillor Strickland, SECONDED BY Councillor Dares that the minutes of December 9th, 2005, (Finance, Special Council, Public Hearing & Regular Council) be approved, as amended.
MOTION CARRIED
BUSINESS
CORRESPONDENCE FOR ACTION
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY SERVICES RE APPOINTMENT
Correspondence from The Honourable Davis Morse, advising that Mr. Bruce Johnson could not serve an additional term on the Tri County Housing Authority, was considered.
The CAO advised he spoke with Mr. Johnson and advised him of the situation which now leaves a vacancy.
MOVED BY Councillor Dares, SECONDED BY Councillor Strickland that staff be directed to advertise for another appointee to the Tri County Housing Authority and to send a letter of thanks and appreciation to Mr. Bruce Johnson for his representation for the past number of years.
MOTION CARRIED
MUNICIPALITY OF THE DISTRICT OF ARGYLE RE: TIPPING FEES
Correspondence from Warden Aldric d= Entremont, Municipality of the District of Argyle regarding tipping fees for residential materials, was considered.
MOVED BY Councillor Boudreau, SECONDED BY Councillor Dares to refer the matter of tipping fees for residential materials to staff investigation and recommendation to Council.
MOTION CARRIED
PAGE 3236
CORRESPONDENCE RE LEISURE SERVICES (COUNCILLOR HOOD)
Councillor Hood expressed his concern regarding the process by which a letter was forwarded to Mariners Centre from the Joint Leisure Services. He stated that any recommendations should be forwarded from each Council, jointly, and that the Mariners Centre Management Board was an independent Board.
Councillor Dares advised that she did report a letter would be forwarded from the Joint Leisure Services Committee, at the December Council meeting, prior to the letter being signed.
CORRESPONDENCE FOR INFORMATION
YMCA
Correspondence from the YMCA regarding municipal recreation was discussed. The CAO advised he would be attending a meeting with the Municipality of the District of Yarmouth to further discuss this issue.
UNSM CONFERENCE LOCATIONS
Correspondence from the UNSM regarding upcoming conference locations was reviewed.
MOVED BY Councillor Dares, SECONDED BY Councillor Boudreau that a letter be forwarded to the UNSM requesting the 2008 conference be held in Yarmouth.
MOTION CARRIED
SPORTS HERITAGE ASSOCIATION
Correspondence from the Yarmouth Town and County Sports Heritage Association regarding the possibility of the Nova Scotia Liquor Store location being available, was reviewed.
MOVED BY Councillor Hood, SECONDED BY Councillor Boudreau that a letter be forwarded to MLA Richard Hurlburt advising that if and when any negotiations take place regarding the Nova Scotia Liquor Store location that the Sports Heritage Association are included.
MOTION CARRIED
PAGE 3237
FCM B MUNICIPAL ASSISTANCE TO TSUNAMI VICTIMS
Correspondence from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities regarding municipal assistance to Tsunami victims was discussed.
MOVED BY Councillor Hood, SECONDED BY Councillor Boudreau that Council acknowledge the letter received from FCM through the UNSM and advise that the Town of Yarmouth supports the coordinated approach by our governing agencies to provide help in rebuilding municipal governance in these areas.
MOTION CARRIED
Councillor Boudreau commented on the media release from the Tri County Regional School Board whereby they announced that Hillcrest Academy raised and donated $7,000 to UNICEF as part of the Tsunami relief effort.
MOVED BY Councillor Boudreau, SECONDED BY Councillor Dares that a letter be forwarded to the students and staff of Hillcrest Academy thanking them for their hard work and support in the Tsunami relief effort.
MOTION CARRIED
TREES B NEW DEVELOPMENT AROUND THE TOWN OF YARMOUTH
Correspondence from James Colbeck expressing his concern with the new developments throughout the Town and the lack of trees being planted was reviewed.
MOVED BY Councillor Dares, SECONDED BY Councillor Strickland that Council acknowledge the correspondence from Mr. Colbeck and refer the issue of the tree planting program to staff for review.
MOTION CARRIED
Editor= s Note:
NEWS RELEASE B CANADIAN ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AGENCY
A news release from the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency regarding funding received to participate in the Joint Review Panel of the proposed Whites Point Quarry and Marine Terminal Project was reviewed.
PAGE 3238
MOVED BY Councillor Dares, SECONDED BY Councillor Boudreau that the correspondence from the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency be placed on file.
MOTION CARRIED
SOUTH WEST SHORE DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SESSION
Councillor Hood advised he attended the recent session on Community Economic Development sponsored by the South West Shore Development Authority. He commented that it was a very good session and very well attended. Information resulting from this session will be forthcoming in the near future.
REPORTS
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 December 20, 2004 and the Public Hearing of January 13, 2005:
MOVED BY Councillor Judge, SECONDED BY Councillor Boudreau to amend the Municipal Planning Strategy by inserting a new policy provision, Policy 2.2.15 that would enable properties split zoned Low Density Residential (R-1) and General Commercial (C-2) within the General Commercial designation to be rezoned to General Commercial (C-2) and concurrently amend the Land Use By-law, in particular the Zoning Map, Schedule A A@ , thereby rezoning a portion of 68 Starrs Road from Low Density Residential (R-1) to General Commercial (C-2) as outlined in the Planner= s report.@
MOTION CARRIED
MOVED BY Councillor Judge, SECONDED BY Councillor Boudreau to amend the Land Use By-law, in particular Part 6 by inserting a new provision, part 6.1(g) to require a signed indemnity in favor of the Town for any signs encroaching or otherwise located within a street right-of-way as outlined in the Planner= s report.
MOTION CARRIED
PAGE 3239
MOVED BY Councillor Judge, SECONDED BY Councillor Dares to amend the Streets and Sidewalks By-law by deleting sections dealing with sidewalk signage, awning and canopy signage and projecting wall signs (airspace encroachment signage) as outlined in the Planner= s report.
MOTION CARRIED
MOVED BY Councillor Judge, SECONDED BY Councillor Dares to amend the Town= s Subdivision By-law.
MOTION CARRIED
Editor= s Note:
MOVED BY Councillor Judge, SECONDED BY Councillor Dares to advertise for a public hearing in order to consider and if deemed advisable, amend an existing development agreement to enable the erection of a ground sign at 46 Vancouver Street as per the Planner= s report.
MOTION CARRIED
Editor= s Note:
MOVED BY Councillor Judge, SECONDED BY Councillor Strickland to advertise for a public hearing in order to consider and if deemed advisable, 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
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE
SNOW REMOVAL (COUNCILLOR HOOD)
Councillor Hood advised the Engineer had completed a draft snow and ice control by-law which addressed many ice and snow removal issues.
PAGE 3240
MOVED BY Councillor Hood, SECONDED BY Councillor Strickland that the draft snow and ice control policy be referred to the Public Works Committee for review and recommendation.
MOTION CARRIED
JOINT HERITAGE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MOVED BY Councillor Dares, SECONDED BY Councillor Boudreau that Council suspend the appointment of Linda Campbell as Heritage Officer until such time as she is able to return to work.
IT WAS AGREED TO REFER this item to an In Committee session immediately following the Council meeting.
MOTION WITHDRAWN
MOVED BY Councillor Dares to appoint Janet Watson as Heritage Officer in order that issues such as a Certificates of Appropriateness can be properly dealt with.
MOTION WITHDRAWN
IT WAS AGREED to refer this item to an In Committee session immediately following the Council meeting.
JOINT LEISURE SERVICES (COUNCILLOR DARES)
Councillor Dares reported that a recommendation was made to the Joint Leisure Services Committee to include a budget plan for the South Centennial playground in the event that the Boys and Girls Club is not in a position to run the playground this year.
Councillor Dares also advised that the Meadowfields Soccer field was discussed regarding lining, scheduling and maintenance.
Councillor Hood provided an update on the soccer field issue and advised that the Province has drafted revisions for further discussion. The CAO advised that due to the absence of the Director of Leisure Services the budget may be delayed. Councillor Dares advised that interviews for a new Director would be taking place next week and that they hoped to have a person in place by the end of February.
PAGE 3241
EMO (COUNCILLOR STRICKLAND)
Councillor Strickland provided an update on EMO activities and advised there would be an open house on April 16, 2005.
Councillor Strickland commented on the phone lines that are held for EMO purposes and that until such time as an emergency takes place the EMO does not use these phone lines but is being charged for them.
MOVED BY Councillor Strickland, SECONDED BY Councillor Dares that correspondence be forwarded to UNSM requesting they support Council in its efforts to have Aliant review its billing practices as it relates to Emergency Measures Organizations in Nova Scotia.
MOTION CARRIED
YARMOUTH HOSPITAL CHARITABLE FOUNDATION (COUNCILLOR HOOD)
Councillor Hood advised that the Yarmouth Hospital Charitable Foundation has been very active and has incurred a number of funding obligations totaling approximately $750,000. This amount includes contributions towards the new MRI, assistance with the physician recruitment program, renovations to offices for physician recruitments, etc. He also advised there is a family medical recruitment committee which is working with the Foundation, the community, municipal units and the South West Shore Development Authority to help recruit family physicians to this area. A round table session is scheduled for Saturday, January 15, 2005 to further review this issues.
WASTECHECK (COUNCILLOR HOOD)
Councillor Hood reported that at the December, 2004, meeting of WasteCheck, the Town officially became members of WasteCheck. He advised this was a positive step and that he was satisfied that the interests of the Town and others have merged.
Councillor Boudreau commented on an article from TREPA regarding EM technology.
MOVED BY Councillor Boudreau, SECONDED BY Councillor Judge to direct staff to investigate the EM Technology process and provide a report to Council.
MOTION CARRIED
PAGE 3242
YARMOUTH COUNTY TOURIST ASSOCIATION (COUNCILLOR STRICKLAND)
Councillor Strickland advised that the annual Winter Thaw would be held at the Grand Hotel on February 15, 2005 and that Minister Rodney MacDonald is scheduled to attend. He further advised that the main topic would be an overall provincial plan.
MOVED BY Councillor Strickland, SECONDED BY Councillor Dares that a letter be sent to the President of the Yarmouth County Tourist Association inviting him to the next Council meeting to provide additional information on tourist organizations in the Province.
MOTION CARRIED
Councillor Dares expressed her concern with the initiative to amalgamate the Yarmouth County Tourist Association with the South Shore Tourist Association. Councillor Strickland advised the initiative to amalgamate is to provide an overall benefits to everyone.
Councillor Hood advised the horizontal boundaries currently in place do not work very well due to the differences in the various areas and suggested that the separations be realigned to where the differences lie.
YARMOUTH DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
Councillor Hood advised that as he had served on the Yarmouth Development Corporation for a number of years, he would like to resign and that a new member be appointed.
MOVED BY Councillor Hood, SECONDED BY Councillor Dares that Councillor Boudreau be appointed to the Yarmouth Development Corporation.
MOTION CARRIED
NEW BUSINESS
Councillor Dares reported on the current situation of the RCMP telecom centre. She expressed her concern with the possible closure of this centre and the loss of jobs to this area.
The CAO advised that there was consensus among the three CAOs to meet with the Minister of Justice regarding the possible closure of the telecom centre and that they would be trying to set up a meeting with Ministers d= Entremont and Hurlburt to push for the RCMP call centre to remain here.
PAGE 3243
MOVED BY Councillor Hood, SECONDED BY Councillor Strickland that Council appoint the Mayor and Deputy Mayor to a committee made up of representatives from the neighbouring municipal units, with a similar number from each municipal unit, for the purpose of meeting with Ministers Hurlburt and d= Entremont to lobby the government to keep the RCMP call centre in Yarmouth.
MOTION CARRIED
SKATE YARMOUTH
Councillor Dares brought forward correspondence from Skate Yarmouth in which they wish to donate a parcel of land to the Town.
MOVED BY Councillor Dares, SECONDED BY Councillor Boudreau that the Town accept the gift of land from Skate Yarmouth with the stipulation that serious consideration be given to the designation of all or part of the property for protection for future development of the Broad Brook green belt.
MOTION CARRIED
CYSTIC FIBROSIS FOUNDATION
Councillor Hood advised he participated in the recent Cystic Fibrosis Foundation fund raiser at the Zellers Mall and that over $8,000 was raised. He commended Dorothy Vallillee and her Committee for their hard work towards this worthy cause.
Councillors Boudreau and Judge also participated in this fund raiser.
HIGHWAY 103 CONCERNS
Correspondence from Councillor Brian MacDougal, Liverpool, expressing his concern regarding the Highway 103 Barrington By Pass was considered.
MOVED BY Councillor Dares, SECONDED BY Councillor Boudreau that a letter be forwarded to the Province through Councillor Brian MacDougall, Liverpool, expressing Council= s continued support in the quest to upgrade the three sections of the 103 Highways that are not up to the 100 series standards and in particular about finishing the Barrington by-pass.
MOTION CARRIED
PAGE 3244
ROAST FOR FORMER BRIDGEWATER MAYOR, ERNIE BOLIVAR
The Deputy Mayor advised that Mayor Crosby requested representation from the Town of Yarmouth at a A roast@ for Ernie Bolivar, former Mayor of Bridgewater.
MOVED BY Councillor Strickland, SECONDED BY Councillor Boudreau that Councillor Dares be authorized to attend the A roast@ for Ernie Bolivar, former Mayor of the Town of Bridgewater, on behalf of the Town of Yarmouth
MOTION CARRIED
STAFF REPORTS
WALMART B LETTER OF SUPPORT (CAO)
The CAO advised that the Environmental Assessment report regarding the proposed Walmart development was available for review. He also advised that he had been contacted by the developer to ask if Council would entertain a letter of support for this proposal.
MOVED BY Councillor Dares, SECONDED BY Councillor Strickland that a letter of support be forwarded on behalf of the proposal from the Developer for Walmart and that it addresses all the environmental issues raised regarding the development.
MOTION CARRIED
APPROVAL OF THE INVOICES
MOVED BY Councillor Strickland, SECONDED BY Councillor Dares 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 February 10th, 2005.
RECESS
Council recessed at 9: 19 p.m. to move In Camera to discuss the Heritage Officer position.
PAGE 3245
RECONVENE
Council reconvened at 9: 26 p.m.
HERITAGE OFFICER
MOVED BY Councillor Dares, SECONDED BY Councillor Strickland that Council temporarily revoke Linda Campbell= s appointment as Heritage Officer and temporarily reassign the Heritage Officer position to Janet Watson.
MOTION CARRIED
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 9:27 p.m.
___________________________________
MAYOR
___________________________________
CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER