47th Council Minutes April 28, 2009 12
The 47th meeting of the Town Council of the Town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay was held on April 28, 2009 at 5:00 p.m. and called to order by Mayor Leo Abbass.
Present:
Mayor Leo Abbass
Deputy Mayor Stan Oliver
Councillor James H. Saunders
Councillor Bill MacKey
Councillor Dean Clarke
Councillor Paul Tsibidis
Town Manager Al Durno
Town Clerk V. Sheppard
Director of Economic Development Karen Wheeler
Recording Secretary Donna Jones
Absent: Councillor Madelyn Kelly – out of town
1 PRESENTATION
Ken Lyall, on behalf of NL Hydro, presented Mayor Abbass with a Life Mat Trainer and Difibulator Unit which will be placed in the arena. This contribution to the Town is an initiative of NL Hydro in promoting their corporate image in the community. Mayor Abbass thanked Hydro for this generous donation.
Prior to the delegations commencing Mayor Abbass advised that former Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Councillor Hank Shouse has been hospitalized. All of Council wish him a speedy recovery with the hope that he is back on his feet as soon as possible.
Mayor Abbass also recognized and thanked the firefighters for their quick response in responding to the fire at the Sand Bar lounge today. Thanks were also passed to Hydro crews who responded in turning off electrical lines to the building.
2 DELEGATION. Fred Loxton
a) Mr. Loxton addressed Council concerning the use of glass drink bottles in the community. He thought there was a Provincial regulation about two or three years ago which banned glass bottles coming into Happy Valley-Goose Bay. He noted that Canex does not bring in glass drink bottles.
b) Mr. Loxton queried what the plans are for the self sufficient elders at the Paddon Home once the Long Term Health Facility opens. Mayor Abbass advised that Council will be meeting with Boyd Rowe of Health Labrador to discuss the future use of the Paddon Home.
c) Mr. Loxton commented on ticket draws and he felt that when a lottery license is issued it should stipulate in the license that someone supervise the draw. Mayor Abbass advised that this is a Provincial matter which can be raised with the Province.
d) DELEGATION. Gerald Dyson
Mr. Dyson addressed Council concerning the Long Term Health Center and what will be happening to the Paddon Home. He felt there should be more public information. Mayor Abbass advised that when the Town meets with Boyd Rowe they will ask that Health Labrador give an update to the community as to what the plan is for the Paddon Home.
e) Mr. Dyson commented on the cesspool of sewer along Hamilton River Road. Mayor Abbass advised that there should be an announcement soon on funding for a sewer treatment facility for the town.
f) Mr. Dyson commented on the Lower Churchill noting that he is not against jobs but if it goes on stream are we going to lose more than we gain. He commented that there will be a loss of caribou and also we are not getting any of the megawatts of power from the eventual development.
Deputy Mayor Abbass suggested a letter be written to Department of Wildlife asking when public information sessions will be held by their department similar to the DFO meetings that were held on this hydro project.
g) Mr. Dyson commented on the use of plastic bags and asked Council’s view on the use of plastic bags in the community.
Mayor Abbass asked Councillor Saunders to put the item of use of plastic bags on the agenda at the next Municipal Services Committee.
h) DELEGATION. Tara McLean
Ms. McLean addressed the Council and supported the banning of plastic bags and promoted composting of kitchen waste.
3 ADOPTION OF AGENDA OF THE 47th MEETING
It was moved by Deputy Mayor S. Oliver seconded by Councillor B. MacKey to adopt the agenda of the 47th meeting of the Town Council of the Town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay. Motion Carried unanimously.
4 ADOPTION OF MINUTES OF the 46th MEETING
It was moved by Councillor J. Saunders seconded by Councillor P. Tsibidis to approve the adoption of the minutes of the 46th meeting of the Town Council of the Town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay as corrected. Motion Carried unanimously.
46th item 2(a) should be Laura Battcock
5 ACTION REPORT
a) 47th 5(a) Councillor Clarke commented that the auditorium opening date depends on the continuing costs being met.
b) 47th item 10 Councillor MacKey noted this should be changed to show Deputy Mayor Oliver presenting the report and not Councillor MacKey.
c) 47th item 6(a) Deputy Mayor Oliver requested an update on the status of 911 service for this area.
6 CORRESPONDENCE
There were 5 Incoming Letters and 14 Outgoing Letters in the Council Package.
a) Councillor Saunders commented on Incoming Letter #1 from Minister Jackman copying the town on letters sent to the committee regarding the naming of the new auditorium.
Mayor Abbass advised that until the user agreement is finalized the auditorium will not be opened until all deficiencies are met. Councillor Clarke noted that this is not our facility we have been a proponent to access the funding for the construction until the facility is turned over to the school Board.
b) Councillor MacKey commented on Outgoing Letter #10 and #9 which were letters written regarding the future of the Paddon Home once the long term facility opens.
7 MUNICIPAL SERVICES COMMITTEE – Councillor James H. Saunders
It was moved by Councillor J. Saunders seconded by Councillor P. Tsibidis to approve the Municipal Services Committee Report as presented. Motion Carried unanimously.
a) Land Application – Gerald Hagerty
Request received from Gerald Hagerty for Crown Land 150 x 300 ft located 13 km up Trans Labrador Highway for a cottage. Committee recommends approval.
b) Request – 3 Tooktoshina Drive
Request received from Jeff Harding and Gwen House to construct a subsidiary apartment in the basement of their home located at 3 Tooktoshina Drive. Committee recommends approving subject to the request being advertised for public input.
c) Request – 340 Hamilton River Road
Request received from Parrott Surveys to subdivide their property located at 340 Hamilton River Road to allow for the construction of a residence. Committee recommends approval subject to: (a) the request being advertised for public input, (b) a revised survey for both the existing property and the proposed new property to be submitted and approved by the Town, (c) new lot to have its own water and sewer service from MacKenzie Drive and to be approved by the town prior to installation, (d) access to new lot is to be from MacKenzie Drive and, (e) the existing pole line easement which runs through the proposed lot is to be relocated .
d) Land Application – Jeff Clarke
Application received from Jeff Clark for Crown Land 215m x 7.5m located behind his residential property located at 22 Woodland Crescent to be used for the construction of a new garage. Committee recommends approval.
e) Land Application – Janet Patey
Application received from Janet Patey for Crown Land 300 x 500 feet located on Corte Real Road to be used for agricultural purposes. Committee recommends approval subject to approval from Department of Natural Resources.
f) Building Application – Pressure Pipe Steel
Request received from Pressure Pipe Steel to allow for the construction of a workshop/warehouse at 35-37 Aspen Road. Committee recommends approval subject to the following conditions: (a) to be advertised for public input, (b) both 35-37 Aspen Road to be consolidated to form one lot and a revised survey to be submitted to the town illustrating the location of the existing building, (c) town approving building plans and site plan including parking layout, (d) plans meeting all the requirements of the Town’s Development Regulations, (e) approvals from Government Services for Fire, Life, Safety and Accessibility and (f) all taxes and interest owing is to be paid prior to issuing of a building permit and all taxes to be current.
g) Multi Materials Stewardship Board (MMSB)
Committee recommends inviting MMSB to come to Happy Valley-Goose Bay to meet with Council and staff to discuss programs and funding available.
h) Edmunds Crescent Extension
Committee recommends that Council approve the addition to Edmunds Crescent extension development agreement. Further to this a letter be written to the land developers requesting a paving schedule for each development.
i) Multi Materials Stewardship Board (MMSB)
Committee recommends Council approach MMSB to fund the purchase of a compactor for our municipal landfill.
j) New Police Vehicle – Equipment
Committee recommends that Council purchase a silent patrol man and the necessary safety equipment for the sum of $2000.00.
k) Walkways into Town Office
Committee recommends that Council install a new walkway into the Town Office and remove knee walls on the walkway and east of the Town Hall.
l) Town Emergency Plan
Enclosed in Council’s package was info on the Town Emergency Plan.
m) Water Supply
Committee recommends that Council spend up to $20,000.00 to hire a consultant/engineer to do a report on how to extract water from the Base water supply that would be acceptable to DND.
8 TOURISM, PARKS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE – Councillor B. MacKey
It was moved by Councillor B. MacKey seconded by Deputy Mayor S. Oliver to approve the Tourism Parks and Recreation Committee Report as presented. Motion Carried unanimously.
a) Parks and Recreation Committee
Presented was the committee report for the period March 16 – April 21, 2009
b) Community Awards
Community Awards banquet will be held Saturday, May 2, 2009 at Tenders Lounge.
c) Future Sports Development
Councillor Clarke queried the meeting being held on May 1 at Minister Hickey’s office concerning future sports development in town. Minister Hickey’s office will be contacted to advise that all Council would like to be included in this discussion.
d) National Broomball 2010
Councillor MacKey advised that plans are underway to hold the National Broomball competition in Happy Valley-Goose Bay in April 2010. This will involve 20-24 teams from across Canada.
9 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE – Councillor D. Clarke
It was moved by Councillor D. Clarke seconded by Councillor P. Tsibidis to approve the Economic Development Committee Report as presented.
Motion Carried unanimously.
a) Information Item - Meetings
Enclosed in Council’s package was information on meetings attended by the Director of Economic Development as of April 20, 2009.
b) Information Item – Update on Committees
Enclosed in Council’s package was information committee updates as of April 20, 2009.
c) Information Item – Fish Habitat Compensation Workshop
Enclosed in Council’s package was information on the Fish Habitat Compensation workshop held April 7, 2009.
d) Information Item – Canada School of Public Service
Reception will be held at the Town Hall at 6 p.m. on May 5, 2009. An invitation was extended to the media at the Council meeting to attend this event.
e) Purchase of Pens
Committee recommends purchasing town pens at a cost of $1,850.00 plus HST.
f) Municipal Awareness Day
Committee recommends that a committee organize Municipal Awareness Day events.
g) Lower Churchill Public Consultation Dates
Deputy Mayor Oliver noted that dates have been announced for public consultation. He noted that intervener funding is available and contact should be made with CLEDB or the Chamber of Commerce or other not for profit group to apply for funding so the town can get our voice to the table.
10 FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE – Deputy Mayor S. Oliver
It was moved by Deputy Mayor S. Oliver seconded by Councillor P. Tsibidis to approve the Finance and Administration Committee report as presented. Motion Carried unanimously.
a) Proclamation – Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal
Committee recommends that the following proclamation be signed indicating May as Red Shield month.
The Salvation Army Giving Hope Today
PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS THE SALVATION ARMY is renowned for its religious and humanitarian endeavors throughout the world, and,
WHEREAS The Town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay, NL gratefully acknowledges the exemplary work of THE SALVATION ARMY on behalf of its citizens over many years; and,
WHEREAS this work is sustained by public contribution in support of THE NATIONAL RED SHIELD APPEAL;
THEREFORE Be it resolved that I, Leo Abbass, Mayor of the Town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay, do hereby proclaim May 1-31, 2009 to be SALVATION ARMY MONTH in grateful appreciation of their invaluable service to our community and for their inspirational presence through which they enrich all of our lives.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have set my hand and caused the seal of the Town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay be affixed this 23rd day of April 2009, Leo Abbass Mayor
b) Request – Labrador School Board
A request received from the Labrador School Board for Council to make a donation to the Heritage Fair being held May 5-6, 2009. Committee recommends contributing $100.00.
c) Fines Report
Enclosed in Council’s package was the Fines Report for April 2009.
d) Fuel Price Report
Enclosed in Council’s package was the fuel price report for March 26, April 2, and April 9, 2009.
e) Letter
Committee recommends that Council write a letter to the Hon. John Baird, Minister of Environment requesting status of our Sewer Treatment Plant and further copy to
be sent to Mike Buda, FCM Office and Senator Fabian Manning and Senator Bill Rompkey.
f) Information Item – Federal Infrastructure Funding
Enclosed in Council’s package was information from the FCM regarding the Federal Infrastructure Funding.
Mayor Abbass would like the Finance and Administration and Economic Development Committees to meet with staff and go through the letter from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities regarding infrastructure funding.
Councillor Clarke suggested that a meeting be arranged with ACOA and a letter be written to Rex Goudie in this regard to discuss funding sources.
g) Complaints Report
Enclosed in Council’s package was the Complaints Report for March 2009.
h) Request – Account # 114476
Committee recommends writing off the interest in the amount of $313.64 charged to account # 114476
i) Request for Contribution