Council Minutes
November 13, 2003
A meeting of the Town Council of the Town of Yarmouth was held on Thursday, November 13, 2003.
CALL TO ORDER
The Mayor called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. with the playing of O’Canada.
RECORD OF ATTENDANCE
Mayor Charles Crosby
Deputy Mayor Cliff Hood
Councillor Byron Boudreau
Councillor Esther Dares
Councillor Murray Judge
Councillor Martin Pink
Councillor Wally Strickland
C.A.O., Ray Gallant
Executive/Recording Secretary, Rose Earle
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
IT WAS AGREED to approve the agenda with an addition under the Planning Report.
8. A. d) Correspondence from Jeff Raynard re PAC Committee
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
MOVED BY Councillor Boudreau, SECONDED BY Councillor Strickland, that the minutes of October 9, 2003 be approved with the following amendment:
The Leisure Services Athletic Awards Banquet would be held on November 21st.
MOTION CARRIED
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BUSINESS ARISING
COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT PROJECTS
Mayor Crosby elaborated on the administration of the proposed Community Enhancement Projects outlined by the Yarmouth Area Industrial Commission.
MOVED BY Councillor Dares, SECONDED BY Councillor Strickland that a letter of support be forwarded to the Yarmouth Area Industrial Commission for the proposed Community Enhancement Projects Assisting Non-Profit Community Organizations and Special Interest Homeowners.
MOTION CARRIED
HOPE – FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Questions arose regarding the request for a grant from the HOPE organization as their financial statements showed a surplus.
After discussion,
IT WAS AGREED that Council would release $2,500 towards the purchase of the wheelchair accessible van to the HOPE organization, once the van had been purchased.
CORRESPONDENCE FOR ACTION
MUNICIPALITY OF THE DISTRICT OF YARMOUTH
Correspondence from the Municipality of the District of Yarmouth requesting the closure of the Compost Facility located on the Hardscratch Road, was considered.
MOVED BY Deputy Mayor Hood, SECONDED BY Councillor Judge the letter from the Municipality of the District of Yarmouth requesting the closure of the Compost Facility be filed for future reference.
MOTION CARRIED
YARMOUTH TOWN AND COUNTY SPORTS HERITAGE ASSOCIATION
Correspondence from the Yarmouth Town and County Sports Heritage Association requesting consideration for space, for a local Sports Hall of Fame, within properties acquired by the Town in the Southern end of Yarmouth, was considered.
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MOVED BY Councillor Judge, SECONDED BY Councillor Boudreau that a letter be written to the Yarmouth Town and County Sports Heritage Association expressing Council’s appreciation for their interest in constructing a local Sports Hall of Fame and congratulate them on their initiative.
MOTION CARRIED
SOUTHWEST SHORE DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY – ACADIAN VILLAGE
Correspondence from the Southwest Shore Development Authority requesting the Town of Yarmouth cost share in funding for the next phase of the Acadian Village project, was considered.
MOVED BY Councillor Strickland, SECONDED BY Councillor Dares that the request from the Southwest Shore Development Authority requesting the Town of Yarmouth cost share in the next phase of the Acadian Village project, be referred to the Finance Committee.
MOTION CARRIED
DEXTER AND SUSAN SWEENEY RE HERITAGE PROPERTY
Correspondence from Dexter and Susan Sweeney requesting removal of the property, The John Brown House, from the Heritage Property Registry, was considered.
MOVED BY Councillor Judge, SECONDED BY Councillor Strickland that Council refer the request from Dexter and Susan Sweeney to remove “The John Brown House” from the Heritage Property Registry, to the Heritage Advisory Committee with direction to appoint a small committee to meet with the Sweeneys to discuss alternatives to de-registering this property. Failing to do so by the next meeting of Council, the applicants are to be granted release and permitted to de-register their property from the Heritage Property Registry.
MOTION CARRIED
Editor’s Note: Councillor Dares voted nay.
CANADIAN SAILING EXPEDITIONS INC.
Correspondence from Doug Prothero, President, Canadian Sailing Expeditions, advising that Yarmouth has been selected by Coastal Cruising Adventures as a 2004 “Port of Call” for the new expedition cruise vessel, Caledonia was considered.
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MOVED BY Councillor Strickland, SECONDED BY Councillor Boudreau that the correspondence from Canadian Sailing Expeditions, Inc. advising the cruise vessel, Caledonia will be visiting Yarmouth in 2004, be referred to the Yarmouth Area Industrial Commission and the Yarmouth County Tourist Association.
MOTION CARRIED
STONEHOUSE MARKETING GROUP RE AIRPORT
Correspondence from Ged Stonehouse, Stonehouse Marketing Group regarding passenger air service in Yarmouth, was considered.
MOVED BY Councillor Pink, SECONDED BY Councillor Strickland that a meeting with the Mayor, Wardens and CAOs of the Municipalities of Yarmouth and Argyle and Town of Yarmouth, be arranged to discuss passenger air service in Yarmouth.
MOTION CARRIED
CORRESPONDENCE FOR INFORMATION
440 PRODUCTIONS
Correspondence from 440 Productions requesting financial support, was considered.
MOVED BY Councillor Strickland, SECONDED BY Councillor Dares that the request from 440 Productions for financial assistance be referred to the Finance Committee and to the Leisure Services Committee.
MOTION CARRIED
REPORTS
FIRE POLICY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Councillor Pink requested the Fire Policy Advisory Committee meet with Council a half hour prior to the December meeting.
IT WAS AGREED that Council would meet with the Fire Policy Advisory Committee a half hour prior to the December Council meeting.
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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 Dares, to amend the Land Use By-law, in particular the Zoning Map, Schedule “A”, thereby rezoning 1 Richards Land from Low Density Residential ( R - 1) to General Commercial ( C - 2) as per Planner’s report. (Schedule A)
MOTION CARRIED
MOVED BY Councillor Judge, SECONDED BY Councillor Boudreau to amend the Land Use By-law, in particular the Zoning Map, Schedule “A”, thereby rezoning 574 Main Street from General Commercial ( C - 2 ) to Medium Density Residential ( R - 2 ) as per Planner’s report. (Schedule B)
MOTION CARRIED
MOVED BY Councillor Judge, SECONDED BY Councillor Strickland, to advertise for a public hearing in order and if deemed advisable, amend the Municipal Planning Strategy and Land Use By-law to implement design provisions for accessory buildings and to prohibit the use of transportation vehicles and/or shipping containers as main or accessory buildings in residential ( R-1, R-2, R-3, R-2M and R-H ) zoned areas.
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 and Land Use By-law to implement standards for accessory buildings in the C-1, C-2, C-3 and C-4 zones and for the Institutional ( I - 1 ) zone.
MOTION CARRIED
MOVED BY Councillor Judge, SECONDED BY Councillor Boudreau to advertise for a public hearing in order to consider and if deemed advisable, enter into a development agreement in order to establish an eight (8) room Senior’s Boarding/Rooming house at 187 Argyle Street in the Town of Yarmouth.
MOTION CARRIED
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MOVED BY Councillor Judge, SECONDED BY Councillor Boudreau to advertise for a public hearing in order to consider and if deemed advisable, enter into a development agreement in order to establish an inn with function room facilities at 27-29 Willow Street, subject to the property becoming a municipal registered heritage property.
MOTION CARRIED
PLANNING ADVISORY COMMITTEE REPRESENTATION – JEFF RAYNARD
Correspondence from Jeff Raynard requesting an opportunity to serve on the Planning Advisory Committee, was considered
MOVED BY Councillor Strickland, SECONDED BY Councillor Boudreau that the request from Jeff Raynard to serve on the Planning Advisory Committee be approved, and that a letter be forwarded to Mr. Raynard welcoming him to the Committee and thanking him for his application.
MOTION CARRIED
JOINT LEISURE SERVICES
Councillor Boudreau advised the Leisure Services Committee met on November 5, 2003 and new member, Barb Rodney was in attendance.
He also advised the Athletic Awards Banquet was scheduled for November 21, 2003 and the following were receiving awards:
Award of the year, Cindy Nickerson
Coach of the Year, Gary Seeley
Sports Volunteer of the Year, Janet Smith
Fair Play of the Year, Gary Hudson
Sport Official of the Year, Gail Deveau
OTHER COMMITTEES
JOINT EMERGENCY MEASURES
Councillor Boudreau advised the next meeting for the Joint Emergency Measures Committee is scheduled for Tuesday, December 2, 2003.
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YARMOUTH COUNTY TOURIST ASSOCIATION
Councillor Strickland advised the Yarmouth County Tourist Association held their meeting today aboard the Scotia Prince. He provided an overview of their meeting and advised members had to walk around the boarding ramp to board the ship in inclement weather and hoped the ramp would be replaced in the near future.
IT WAS AGREED to pass on congratulations for the recent work done on the Grand Hotel property.
MARINERS CENTRE MANAGEMENT BOARD
Questions arose regarding the bookkeeping program being utilized by the Town for the Management Centre. The CAO advised the Town had not been requested to change programs.
DR. SEARCH COMMITTEE
Councillor Strickland referred to the Dr. Search Committee minutes of September 24, 2003 and provided an overview of the doctor shortages for this area.
MOVED BY Councillor Dares, SECONDED BY Councillor Strickland that a letter be sent to the Minister of Health stating that Council and the Town of Yarmouth are unhappy with the situation that our residents are faced with at the Western Regional Health Centre where our citizens will have to drive at least two hours to have a baby delivered and that the Province should recognize the Town of Yarmouth as a rural municipality and provide the same treatment they would provide rural areas regarding funding and incentives.
MOTION CARRIED
STAFF REPORTS
DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING
In response to questions, the CAO advised the Provincial Department of Housing has been advised of the Town’s interest and willingness to participate in the housing programs for this area.
STAFF TRAINING
The CAO advised that Rose Earle had successfully completed the courses of study, was recognized and received a Certificate in Local Government Administration and is continuing her studies in Municipal Government.
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The CAO also advised that he and Janet Burns had qualified and received the Provincial designation of Certified Municipal Manager.
These presentations were made by the Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations at the recent meeting of the Association of Municipal Administrators.
MOVED BY Councillor Dares, SECONDED BY Councillor Judge that letters of congratulations be forwarded to the three recipients of certificates, thanking them for their hard work.
MOTION CARRIED
SOLICITOR
The CAO advised he would be inviting proposals to obtain a new solicitor.
RECORDS MANAGEMENT POLICY
The CAO referred to a draft Records Management Policy which was previously circulated.
IT WAS AGREED to review the draft Records Management Policy for recommendation at the December Council meeting.
CHRISTMAS OFFICE CLOSURE
The CAO referred to a memo, previously circulated, regarding office closure during the Christmas holidays.
IT WAS AGREED that the offices would be closed at noon on December 24th, 2003 and reopen on Monday, January 5, 2004.
LAKE GEORGE WATERSHED – PUMPING OF SEPTIC SYSTEMS
Invited tenders were requested from two local septic tank cleaning contractors for the pumping and disposal of effluent from septic systems located within the Lake George Watershed. Two responses were received with the results as follows:
Per Tank Total Cost
Robicheau’s Pumping Service (1993) Ltd. $180 $ 8,100.00
Quickfall’s Septic Service $300 $13,500.00
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Deputy Mayor Hood recommended the contract be awarded to the lowest tender, Robicheau’s Pumping Service, in the amount of $180.00 per tank for a total cost of $8,100.00 plus HST.
MOVED BY Deputy Mayor Hood, SECONDED BY Councillor Strickland that the contract for the pumping and disposal of effluent from septic systems located within the Lake George Watershed be awarded to the lowest tender, Robicheau’s Pumping Service (1993) Ltd. in the amount of $180.00 per tank for a total of $8,100.00.
MOTION CARRIED
GREG WARNER
MOVED BY Councillor Dares, SECONDED BY Councillor Boudreau that Council send congratulations to Greg Warner who has been appointed to the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia and thank him for his dedication and service as Town Solicitor since 1979.
MOTION CARRIED
APPROVAL OF THE INVOICES
MOVED BY Councillor Strickland, SECONDED BY Councillor Pink, 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 December 11, 2003.
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 9:20 p.m.
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MAYOR
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CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER