Council Minutes
March 14, 2002
A meeting of the Town of Yarmouth was held on Thursday, March 14, 2002.CALL TO ORDER
The Mayor called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. with the playing of O'Canada.
RECORD OF ATTENDANCE
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
IT WAS AGREED to approve the Agenda with noted additions
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOVED BY Councillor Boudreau, SECONDED BY Councillor Strickland that the minutes of February 21, 2002 be approved as circulated
BUSINESS ARISING
SOLICITOR'S REPORT
The Town Solicitor reviewed his report and advised that the Steering Committee for the Mariners Centre was not bound by any type of by-law or policy regarding tendering. He also noted the Terms of Reference for the Committee did not set forth any criteria with regard to tendering.
Councillor Pink relayed his concerns regarding the tendering process carried out by the Steering Committee of Mariners Centre with regard to the "storm drainage system" clearly stating his dismay the tendering process of the Councils was not carried out.
Deputy Mayor Hood defended this tendering process advising that given the time lines for the opening of Mariners Centre and the fact that the Steering Committee had control over the completion of the project, the correct process was followed.
After considerable deliberation, it was suggested that more consideration/restraints be provided to committees in the future.
MOTION CARRIED
PURCHASING POLICY
The CAO recommended Council amend the present Purchasing Policy by eliminating that portion under "General Responsibilities."
MOVED BY Councillor Dares, SECONDED BY Councillor Judge that the Purchasing Policy be amended to reflect that the "General Responsibilities" section be deleted as well as the elimination of #9 under "General Conditions for Tendering."
IT WAS AGREED by the Mover and Seconder to amend this motion to approve the Purchasing Policy as recommended by the CAO. (Appendix "A")
MOTION CARRIED
The CAO was instructed to review the current wording with reference to preferential treatment to local contractors with a view to exploring a possibility that local content be an additional consideration when considering and evaluating tenders.
UNIFORM ASSESSMENT
The draft smoking By-law and the CAO's memo of March 12, 2002, Appendix "B", was reviewed and discussed in considerable detail.
MOVED BY Councillor Pink, SECONDED BY Councillor Dares that Council adopt the Smoking By-law as presented.
MOTION CARRIED
CORRESPONDENCE FOR ACTION
ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION RE: FUND RAISING
Mayor Crosby welcomed Mr. Bob Garron, Commander of Zone 12, Royal Canadian Legion and Bernie Clive, Past President of Branch 61, Yarmouth.
Mr. Garron advised the Legion was attempting to raise $60,000 to purchase a van for the Veterans at Veterans Place. He requested Town Council to consider financial assistance in the amount of $3,000 towards the purchase of this van.
MOVED BY Councillor Judge, SECONDED BY Councillor Dares that the request for financial assistance from the Legion be referred to the Finance Committee for consideration.
MOTION CARRIED
Mayor Crosby thanked Mr. Garron and Mr. Clive for their presentation
YARMOUTH AREA INDUSTRIAL COMMISSION
Correspondence from Frank Anderson, Executive Director Yarmouth Area Industrial Commission, requesting financial assistance in the amount of $100,000 to assist in funding a building to be constructed on lands owned by the Town and Municipality of the District of Yarmouth was considered.
MOVED BY Councillor Pink, SECONDED BY Councillor Boudreau that Council that the request for financial assistance in the amount of $100,000 for the Yarmouth Area Industrial Commission be granted provided all other funding is in place.
MOTION CARRIED
MOVED BY Councillor Dares, SECONDED BY Councillor Pink that Council rescind their previous motion approving funding to the Agricultural Society and change it to read the funds will be provided to the Management Board, as identified in the March 12, 2002 memo, Appendix"C."
MOTION CARRIED
GREAT YARMOUTH BOROUGH COUNCIL REUNION
Council had considered the request from Robin Hodds, Principal Member Services Assistant, Great Yarmouth Borough Council to postpone the planned reunion until 2004. IT WAS AGREED the reunion of the Yarmouths be postponed until 2004.
YARMOUTH COUNTY MUSEUM & HISTORICAL RESEARCH LIBRARY RE GRANT
MOVED BY Councillor Strickland, SECONDED BY Councillor Judge that the request from the Yarmouth County Museum & Historical Research Library regarding a grant be referred to the Finance Committee for consideration.
MOTION CARRIED
UNSM RE: ASSESSMENT SERVICES/U>
The UNSM Executive Sub-Committee's report on Assessment Services, was considered. It was suggested that municipalities take over personnel regarding Assessment Services and provide funding for same.
MOVED BY Councillor Pink, SECONDED BY Councillor Boudreau that a letter be written to the UNSM advising that Council would prefer that the government run the system as it is with municipalities paying their share or that Council would approve taking over the Assessment Services if the present employees be terminated and new employees be hired by Council.
MOTION CARRIED
SEMACA CONFERENCE
Correspondence from Frank Anderson requesting funding regarding the SEMACA conference was considered.
MOVED BY Deputy Mayor Hood, SECONDED BY Councillor Pink that Council allocate funds for the SEMACA conference with the understanding that the Mayor monitor the funding.
MOVED TO TABLE BY Councillor Dares until a budget for this project is brought to Council.
MOTION TO TABLE CARRIED
CMA 2004 FUNDS
Correspondence from Peter Boudreau regarding funds for the CMA 2004 conference was considered.
MOVED BY Councillor Pink, SECONDED BY Councillor Strickland that Council approve the request from Peter Boudreau to redirect funds for the CMA 2004 conference.
MOTION CARRIED
LINDA CAMPBELL RE: JAIL
Correspondence from Linda Campbell regarding the disposition of the current jail when the new correctional facility is in operation was considered.
MOVED BY Councillor Dares, SECONDED BY Councillor Pink that the correspondence from Linda Campbell regarding the disposition of the current jail be filed for future reference.
MOTION CARRIED
REPORTS
STANDING COMMITTEES
FIRE POLICY COMMITTEE
Councillor Pink reported the Michael Deveau had been recommended for Veterans Status with the Fire Department. MOVED BY Councillor Pink, SECONDED BY Councillor Strickland that Michael Deveau be approved for Veterans Status with the Fire Department.
MOTION CARRIED
PLANNING ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Councillor Judge provided Council with a report from the Planning Advisory Committee. The following motions resulted:
MOVED BY Councillor Judge, SECONDED BY Councillor Strickland that Council approve the recommendation to advertise for a public hearing in order to consider and if deemed advisable, amend the Land Use By-law, in particular the Zoning Map, Schedule "A," thereby rezoning 44/46 Argyle Street from Low Density Residential (R-1) to Medium Density Residential (R-2).
MOTION CARRIED
MOVED BY Councillor Judge, SECONDED BY Councillor Boudreau that Council approve the recommendation to advertise for a public hearing in order to consider and if deemed advisable, amend the Land Use By-law, in particular the Zoning Map, Schedule "A," thereby rezoning 251 Pleasant Street from Institutional (I-1) to General Commercial (C-2).
MOTION CARRIED
MOVED BY Councillor Judge, SECONDED BY Councillor Strickland that Council approve the recommendation to advertise for a public hearing in order to consider and if deemed advisable, amend the Land Use by-law, in particular Part 6.7.2 to enable the erection of three (3) facial wall signs for a single occupancy building.
AND CONCURRENTLY,
Amend Part 6.7.3 of the Land Use By-law to enable the erection of a thirty (30) foot high ground sign.
AND CONCURRENTLY,
Amend part 6.1(F) of the Land Use By-law to remove the 300 square foot maximum size limitation on signage on any wall face.
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
MOVED BY Councillor Judge, SECONDED BY Councillor Boudreau that Council approve the recommendation to advertise for a public hearing in order to consider and if deemed advisable, amend the Municipal Planning Strategy, in particular Policy 1.5 (a) and concurrently amend the Land Use By-law, in particular Part 25.1, list of permitted uses in the Institutional (I-1) zone by adding the use of "temporary call centers" and concurrently amend Part 26, definitions, by inserting a new definition of "call centers" and "temporary call centers"
MOTION CARRIED
MOVED BY Councillor Judge, SECONDED BY Councillor Dares that Council approve the recommendation to advertise for a public hearing in order to consider and if deemed advisable, amend the Municipal Planning Stragety, in particular Policy 2.2.3 and concurrently amend the Land Use By-law, Part 16.1 by adding "Public and Private Utility Office and Work Yards" as a use permitted within the General commercial (C-2) zone.
MOTION CARRIED
MOVED BY Councillor Judge, SECONDED BY Councillor Boudreau that Council approve the recommendation to advertise for a public hearing in order to consider and if deemed advisable, amend the Municipal Planning Strategy and concurrently amend the Land Use By-law, in particular Part5.16, to enable wider entrance widths within the General commercial (C-2) zone, the Commercial Industrial (CI-6) zone and the General Industrial (M-1) zone by a site plan approval process.
MOTION CARRIED
YARMOUTH WATER UTILITY
Deputy Mayor Hood advised tenders would be ready within the next few weeks, however the Town was still awaiting documents from the Province.
JOINT LEISURE SERVICES COMMITTEE
CouncilCouncillor Strickland reported information had been received regarding the Volunteer Award nominations and the Committee would make a selection in the near future. He also advised they had reviewed renovations at Milo which dealt with priorities, long term plans and budget plans. Considering the view of the soccer field at Meadowfields, it was reported that there were still deficiencies and monies would be withheld until these deficiencies were met.
. OTHER COMMITTEES
WATERFRONT DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
Deputy Mayor Hood advised he had resigned as Chair of this Corporation, but would continue to serve as a member of the committee. He advised that Warner Comeau is the present Chair.
JOINT EMERGENCY MEASURES
Councillor Boudreau advised the Committee would be looking at the planned building expansion at their next meeting scheduled for March 20, 2002 EXHIBITION PARK MANAGEMENT BOARD
Deputy Mayor Hood advised the concept for a Master Plan for the Mariners Centre site was discussed and approved by the Steering Committee.
MOVED BY Deputy Mayor Hood, SECONDED BY Councillor Strickland that Council approve the concept for the Master Plan for future development at Mariners Centre be accepted as amended and ratified by Council.
MOTION CARRIED
Deputy Mayor Hood advised he had signed recent "Change Orders," for the Mariners Centre however the CAO would be providing him with responses regarding questions he had about these "Change Orders."
SOUTH WEST SHORE DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
Councillor Boudreau advised he had attended a meeting in which support was provided for a Marine Centre in Southwest Nova. STAFF
RCMP POLICING COSTS
The CAO advised that previous correspondence had provided for a 7.9% increase in RCMP policing costs has been revised by the Province and limited to a 3.4% increase for the 2002/2003 fiscal year.
APPOINTMENT RE: LEISURE SERVICES
MOVED BY Councillor Dares, SECONDED BY Councillor Boudreau that the appointment of Peter MacCracken be acknowledged.
MOTION CARRIED
APPROVAL OF INVOICES
MOVED BY Councillor Pink, SECONDED BY Councillor Dares that invoices, as approved by the individual chairs, be authorized for payment.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING
IT WAS AGREED the next meeting be scheduled for April 11, 2002.
ADJOURN
The Meeting adjourned at 9:55 p.m.
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MAYOR
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CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER