Council Minutes
October 9, 2003
A meeting of the Town Council of the Town of Yarmouth was held on Thursday, October 9, 2003.
CALL TO ORDER
The Mayor called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. with the playing of O’Canada.
RECORD OF ATTENDANCE
Mayor Charles Crosby
Councillor Byron Boudreau
Councillor Esther Dares
Councillor Murray Judge
Councillor Martin Pink
Solicitor, Greg Warner
Executive/Recording Secretary, Rose Earle
C.A.O., Ray Gallant
REGRETS
Deputy Mayor Cliff Hood
Councillor Wally Strickland
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
IT WAS AGREED to approve the agenda with an addition under staff reports.
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
MOVED BY Councillor Dares, SECONDED BY Councillor Pink, that the minutes of September 11, 2003 be approved, as circulated.
MOTION CARRIED
BUSINESS ARISING
MARINERS CENTRE
IT WAS AGREED to refer the correspondence from Mariners Centre to the Finance Committee.
CORRESPONDENCE FOR ACTION
PAGE 3019
COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT PROJECTS
Mayor Crosby gave an overview of the Responsible Community Enhancement Projects as outlined by the South West Shore Development Authority.
MOVED BY Councillor Pink, SECONDED BY Councillor Judge that a letter of support be provided to the South West Shore Development Authority for their Responsible Community Enhancement Project.
The CAO requested clarification regarding where the applications would be picked up and who actually approves the applications.
After consideration,
IT WAS AGREED to table this motion to the next meeting whereby Mayor Crosby would provide further information.
R. E. GALLANT, C.A.O.
The CAO requested a meeting with Council to review a number of issues.
IT WAS AGREED that Council would meet In Committee with the CAO on Wednesday, October 29, 2003 at 7:00 p.m.
CORRESPONDENCE FOR INFORMATION
MUNICIPALITY OF THE COUNTY OF ANTIGONISH TO MINISTER D’ENTREMONT RE BEEF INDUSTRY
Upon consideration of receipt of a copy of correspondence received from the Municipality of the County of Antigonish to Minister Chris d’Entremont regarding the beef industry,
MOVED BY Councillor Boudreau, SECONDED BY Councillor Dares that a letter be forwarded to Minister d’Entremont in support of the beef industry in Nova Scotia.
MOTION CARRIED
CORRESPONDENCE PREVIOUSLY DISTRIBUTED
COMPOST FACILITY PROGRESS REPORT
The CAO advised the Town had been working on a regular basis to implement the recommendations for the compost facility which should eliminate the odour problems.
PAGE 3020
TOWN CAUCUS – TERMS OF REFERENCE
The Mayor referred to the Terms of Reference for the Town Caucus and advised they were following a new process. Updates would be provided at a later date.
YARMOUTH AREA INDUSTRIAL COMMISSION
Councillor Boudreau requested financial statements of the Yarmouth Area Industrial Commission. The CAO advised a copy was available.
STANDING COMMITTEES
FINANCE COMMITTEE
The CAO suggested Council recess and reconvene the Finance Committee meeting, then resume the Council meeting for a report from the Finance Committee.
FIRE POLICY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Councillor Pink advised he attend the Fire Department banquet and commented it was the largest thus far.
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 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 1 Richards Lane from Low Density Residential (R - 1) to General Commercial (C - 2).
MOTION CARRIED
MOVED BY Councillor Judge, SECONDED BY Councillor Dares 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 574 Main Street from General Commercial (C - 2) to Medium Density Residential (R - 2).
MOTION CARRIED
PAGE 3021
JOINT HERITAGE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Councillor Dares advised the Joint Heritage Advisory Committee met on September 23, 2003 and the following recommendation was made:
MOVED BY Councillor Dares, SECONDED BY Councillor Pink that Council proceed to Public Hearing to register 27 & 29 Willow Street as a Heritage Property.
MOTION CARRIED
JOINT LEISURE SERVICES
Councillor Boudreau advised the Leisure Services Committee met on October 2, 2003. He also advised he attended the 1st Annual Harvest Feast which included a pancake breakfast and a corn boil. He reported the event went very well.
Councillor Boudreau reported that the Athletic Awards banquet would be held on November 1, 2003. He reported meetings to develop “trails”are scheduled for November 3rd at Meadowfields Community School, November 5th at Arcadia School and November 10th in Deerfield.
OTHER COMMITTEES
JOINT HOMECARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Mayor Crosby advised the Joint Home Care held their annual meeting today which went very well.
DR. SEARCH COMMITTEE
IT WAS AGREED to refer the report from the Doctor Search Committee to the next meeting.
OLD BUSINESS
REPORT – SPERRY & PARTNERS
The CAO referred to a report from Sperry & Partners regarding a proposed convention centre which was previously circulated. He advised it was his understanding that the Municipality of the District of Yarmouth would be requesting a Joint Meeting with Town Council to discuss this issue.
PAGE 3022
GOLF COURSE REQUEST
The CAO referred to a request from the Ladies’ Division of the Yarmouth Golf Links. He advised he had received a report from the Town Engineer who expressed concern with the hook-up for water/sewer as it may have a negative impact on the utility’s water quality monitoring program. The Engineer recommended a point of use disinfection unit be installed in the washroom facility. The Engineer also recommended the washrooms would also be required to be metered in order to charge for sewer usage based upon water consumption.
IT WAS AGREED to obtain the original request from the Ladies’ Division of the Yarmouth Golf Links prior to making a decision.
NEW BUSINESS
REPORT FROM MAYOR – POLICING STUDY
Mayor Crosby advised he attended a meeting in Argyle with the Municipality of the District of Argyle, the Municipality of the District of Yarmouth, the RCMP, and the Department of Justice regarding the possible amalgamation of policing services. The Committee supported the idea of setting up a Committee, made up of the CAOs and representatives from the Department of Justice, to gather background information for a report that would be presented to all Councils for consideration.
MOVED BY Councillor Judge, SECONDED BY Councillor Boudreau that Council request the Department of Justice to conduct a feasibility study of policing services/organization in Yarmouth with the RCMP and the three municipal units.
MOTION CARRIED
Editor’s Note: The only cost of the feasibility study would be staff time and all three Councils would have to agree to a proposed amalgamation in order for it to proceed.
YARMOUTH INDUSTRIAL COMMISSION
To encourage development in the South End of Town,
MOVED BY Councillor Boudreau, SECONDED BY Councillor Dares that the Town of Yarmouth grant land in the South End on Main Street to the Yarmouth Industrial Commission for the construction of a new building for offices.
After much discussion,
PAGE 3023
IT WAS AGREED to table this motion and request the CAO obtain additional information regarding the amount of vacant property in the Southern end of Town.
WATER REPORT
The CAO advised the most recent report on TMH levels was favourable showing a marked decrease.
REPORT ON TENDERS – DEMOLITION OF PROPERTIES
The CAO reviewed the report for the demolition of 120-122 Main Street, 126-128 Main Street and 160 Main Street. He recommended acceptance of the lowest tender as indicated in the report.
MOVED BY Councillor Pink, SECONDED BY Councillor Dares that the tender for the demolition of 120-122 Main Street and 160 Main Street be awarded to the lowest tender, David A. Trefry Excavating Ltd. in the amount of $3,225 and $8,155 respectively; and the tender for the demolition of 126-128 Main Street be awarded to the lowest tender, R. & D Harris Excavating Ltd. In the amount of $4275.
MOTION CARRIED
DECORATIONS FOR UNSM CONFERENCE
The CAO commented on the work the staff had done in decorating the Town Hall for the UNSM Conference and noted that most of the decorating was done during their own time. He advised the public would be invited to view the displays during the week following the conference.
APPROVAL OF THE INVOICES
MOVED BY Councillor Judge, SECONDED BY Councillor Dares, that the invoices as approved by the various chairs be authorized for payment.
RECESS
IT WAS AGREED to recess at 8:40 p.m.
RECONVENE
The meeting reconvened at 9:00 p.m. with all members present.
PAGE 3024
Councillor Pink, Chair of the Finance Committee, presented the following recommendations from the meetings of September 22, 2003 and October 9, 2003:
YARMOUTH SOUTH BREAKFAST PROGRAM
MOVED BY Councillor Pink, SECONDED BY Councillor Judge the request for financial assistance from the Yarmouth South Breakfast Program, be approved in the amount of $2,500.
MOTION CARRIED
KAYE NICKERSON ADULT SERVICE CENTRE
MOVED BY Councillor Pink, SECONDED BY Councillor Judge that the request for a letter of support for their project be approved.
MOTION CARRIED
ROADWAY BETWEEN THE ZAMBONI ROOM AND ANTHONY PAVILION
MOVED BY Councillor Pink, SECONDED BY Councillor Dares that the request for additional funding in the amount of $4,821 for a roadway between the Zamboni Room and the Anthony Pavilion at Mariners Centre, be approved.
MOTION CARRIED
WOMEN’S AUXILIARY – YARMOUTH REGIONAL HOSPITAL RE HULLABALOO
MOVED BY Councillor Pink, SECONDED BY Councillor Boudreau that Council cost share in the rental fees for the Hullaballoo in the amount of $1,679 for the years 2002 and 2003.
MOTION CARRIED
H.O.P.E
IT WAS AGREED that funds would be released to the HOPE organization in the amount of $2,500 upon receipt and approval of appropriate financial information by the CAO.
PARENTS PLACE
MOVED BY Councillor Pink, SECONDED BY Councillor Boudreau that the request for financial assistance for Parents Place be approved in the amount of $5,000.
MOTION CARRIED
PAGE 3025
EXPROPRIATION OF LAND – WIDENING OF STARR ROAD
MOVED BY Councillor Judge, SECONDED BY Councillor Dares that the CAO be authorized to proceed to instruct the Solicitor to proceed with the expropriation of land for the widening of Starrs Road.
MOTION CARRIED
SOUTH END PROPERTY
The CAO was authorized to pursue the possibility of obtaining the lot of land, identified “In Committee”, for further development.
DEMOLITION OF 37 ARGYLE STREET
MOVED BY Councillor Boudreau, SECONDED BY Councillor Pink that the CAO be authorized to proceed with the demolition of 37 Argyle Street.
MOTION CARRIED
DATE OF NEXT MEETING
IT WAS AGREED the next meeting would be scheduled for November 13, 2003.
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 9:10 p.m.
___________________________________
MAYOR
___________________________________
CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER