| Council Minutes - January 12, 2010 |
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Municipality of the District of West Hants 1. Roll Call R. Dauphinee Warden Guests: B. Stead Mayor, Town of Wolfville The meeting came to order at 7:00 pm. Warden Dauphinee extended condolences on behalf of Council and Staff to Pat Gould-Thorpe, of the HRDA, whose husband passed away earlier today. 2. Approval of Agenda & Additions MOVED by Councillor Pineo and Councillor Brown to approve the January 12, 2010 Council Agenda and Additions. Motion Carried. Requested to be added to the Agenda: • Discussion of the 45th Parallel signage 3. Public Hearing(s) • There are no public hearings scheduled. 4. Approval of Council Minutes of December 8, 2009 and Public Hearing Minutes of December 8, 2009 MOVED by Councillor Pineo and Councillor Allen that the Council Minutes of December 8, 2009 and Public Hearing Minutes of December 8, 2009 be approved as circulated, noting any errors or omissions. Motion Carried. 5. Business Arising from the Minutes or any Related Correspondence There is no business arising or related correspondence from the Minutes. 6. Presentations Warden Dauphinee welcomed K. Crichton of the Hants-Kings Business Development Centre. K. Crichton presented the Hants-Kings Business Development Centres 2008-2009 Annual Report. He reviewed loans that are available and he also reviewed the Annual report. He noted that Ernie Spencer passed away on the weekend. His place on the board of directors will be filled sometime in the near future with someone from the Hantsport area. MOVED by Councillor Gaudet and Deputy Warden Cochrane that the Hants-Kings Business Development Centres 2008-2009 Annual Report be received and placed on file. MOTION CARRIED. There were questions and discussions about the loans available for students and for women. Also discussed was surplus money. Warden Dauphinee thanked K. Crichton for his presentation to Council. 7. Report of the Warden Warden Dauphinee advised that he did not have a report to present at this time. 8. Reconsideration or Rescission of Resolutions of which Notice has been given on a previous day MOVED by Councillor Matheson and Councillor Pineo that Council rescind the motion from the December 8, 2009 Council Meeting to write a letter to the Nova Scotia Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal advising that the Municipality is no longer interested in acquiring the Old Township Road surplus property located off Falmouth Back Road”. Warden Dauphinee noted that Councillor Matheson delivered a notice of rescission to him regarding writing a letter to the Nova Scotia Department of Transportation and Infrastructure renewal to advise that the Municipality is no longer interested in acquiring the Old Township Road surplus property located off Falmouth Back Road. Councillor Matheson read his letter from December 29, 2009 for the record. He advised that correspondence for tonight lettered “H” through “K” were regarding this issue and wanted to ensure that all Councillors had read the correspondence. Councillor Matheson spoke about the process that has led to this point; that previously the motion was unanimously passed to acquire the land. At that time, it was known where the land was and that there was also another interested party in the property; however, the identity was not known. A call then came into the Municipal office that identified the interested party. Once the identity was known, he feels some people changed their views based on the identity and were no longer interested in acquiring the property. At a previous meeting, Councillor Matheson asked if a mistake had been made with regards to the land acquisition. He stated that he felt he did not receive a clear answer on what had changed about the property acquisition other than knowing the identity of the interested party. To clarify any confusion from previous meetings, Councillor Matheson reiterated that the only section of land being offered at this time is a small piece, but that Council should show interest in acquiring it and then in the future look into acquiring more of the Old Township Road. In his estimation, there is a tremendous opportunity for trails on the property in question. It is difficult to find land to develop trails and this property would be a very good starting point. He noted that it can be a very daunting task to find trails. Councillor Matheson stated that he would like to appeal to his colleagues to reconsider their vote. Councillor Matheson noted that the interested party has done nothing wrong and they may feel that restrictions have been placed upon them. In the future, that person can possibly be accommodated with a possible land exchange, but at this time, Council needs to take control. Councillor Matheson stated that he was concerned about throwing away political capital, why would we give up an ace in the hole. The land could be used to address water and sewer issues or be used to address storm water. He felt that it would be beneficial to the community. Councillor Matheson reiterated that this is an important issue and an important piece of land. In the future, the Municipality could sell it if they wished. But at this time, we should try to purchase all the land we can. In closing, Councillor Matheson urged fellow Councillors to reconsider their votes. With the correspondence received regarding this issue, people are starting to read the minutes of Council meetings and they are starting to take an interest. Councillor Pineo stated she agreed with Councillor Matheson on many of the points he mentioned. She also felt that the Municipality should try to purchase as much land as it can. She stated that she thought about the possibilities the land could offer, for example: a safe spot for trails, a community area and possibly a community garden. It could be a place for residents to grow their own food. She noted that the Municipality is receiving feedback from residents regarding this issue to purchase the land and she feels we should move ahead. Councillor Gaudet stated that he will be supporting rescinding the motion based on what residents of the area want. He noted that he agreed with Councillor Matheson about the possibility of using the land for trails. Councillor Gaudet wished to highlight his displeasure on how this issue was handled. In the future, he feels that reports could be done better and that they should contain what land is being considered, why Council should consider it and where/how will the Municipality benefit in the future. Deputy Warden Cochrane noted that knowing the identity of the individual itself wouldn’t have made a difference in his opinion. He stated that he found it ironic that this land has become so valuable. He also noted that he went to view the land in question, and he felt that it could only be used for development and that it held more advantages to the developer. Councillor Ainslie stated that she would be voting to rescind the motion also. She felt that there had been some confusion along the way regarding this issue, but after further consideration, will support the rescinding of the motion as it is what the residents want. MOTION CARRIED. Warden Dauphinee, Deputy Warden Cochrane and Councillor Brown voted nay. There will be no further action on this motion as a letter stating interest in the Falmouth Surplus property had already been sent. 9. Monthly Reports of Committees & Officers i. Committee of the Whole MOVED by Deputy Warden Cochrane and Councillor Gaudet that the report of the Committee of the Whole (January 2010) be received and placed on file. MOTION CARRIED. Proposal re: dog tag fees MOVED by Deputy Warden Cochrane and Councillor Brown that a fee of $5.00 be added to the dog tag fee proposal for dog owners that have their animal spayed or neutered AND meet one of the following criteria: the animal has completed an accredited dog obedience training program (proof is required) OR the property of the owner is equipped with functioning electric fencing (proof required). MOTION CARRIED. Storm water management MOVED by Deputy Warden Cochrane and Councillor Gaudet that the CAO seek a second legal opinion as to exactly when the Municipality of the District of West Hants would assume legal liability regarding storm water management. MOTION CARRIED. Policy re: Municipal Fire Inspections MOVED by Deputy Warden Cochrane and Councillor Ainslie that the Municipality of the District of West Hants adopt the policy respecting a System of Municipal Fire Inspections. MOTION CARRIED. Assistant Building Inspector MOVED by Deputy Warden Cochrane and Councillor Shanks that Jody Den Haan, Assistant Building Inspector, be granted permanent employee status effective December 10, 2009. MOTION CARRIED. Brooklyn Fire Department/Civic Centre – Operating agreement (request for clarification) MOVED by Deputy Warden Cochrane and Councillor Pineo that Council agree to the Clause 5 clarification of the operating agreement between the Municipality of the District of West Hants and the Brooklyn Civic Centre and to cap the required reserve at $10,000 cumulatively, as put forth by the Brooklyn Civic Centre. West Hants Recreation Youth Travel Assistance Policy MOVED by Deputy Warden Cochrane and Councillor Gaudet that the Municipality of the District of West Hants adopt the New Youth Travel Assistance Policy. MOTION CARRIED. ecoNova Scotia (HVAC and window replacement) MOVED by Deputy Warden Cochrane and Councillor Pineo that Council support the ecoNova Scotia Clean Air and Climate Change Category 2 Grant application for the replacement of the HVAC system and windows at the Municipal Office and commit at least 50% cash ($90,019.72), to the eligible total cost. MOTION CARRIED. Brooklyn Fire Department – Old building items MOVED by Deputy Warden Cochrane and Councillor Matheson to give permission to the Brooklyn Fire Department to remove the items from the former Brooklyn Fire Department station as requested by Chief Dearman. MOTION CARRIED. Town of Hantsport re: Fire Truck MOVED by Deputy Warden Cochrane and Councillor Gaudet that the Municipality of the District of West Hants commit to fund an actual percentage basis (29.4%) of the cost of the purchase the Town of Hantsport’s pumper truck. MOTION CARRIED. There was discussion surrounding Kings County not agreeing to funding the fire truck as previously discussed. Kings County has requested that a fire services agreement be in place prior to any decisions regarding capital purchases. The Town of Hantsport is looking at absorbing the additional costs until an agreement is in place as this truck is too valuable an opportunity to pass up. Region 6 2010-2011 Budget MOVED by Deputy Warden Cochrane and Councillor Gaudet that the Region 6 2010-2011 budget, in the amount of $180,520, be referred to in the Municipality of the District of West Hants budgetary process. MOTION CARRIED. Bursary request (In memory of Fred Fox) MOVED by Deputy Warden Cochrane and Councillor Matheson that one of the two $500 bursaries given annually to Avon View High School by the Municipality of West Hants be designated to the Fred Fox Scholarship Fund and provided to a student pursing a career in the trades industry. MOTION CARRIED. ecoNova Scotia Clean Air and Climate Change Category 2 Grant application - Variable Frequency Devices MOVED by Deputy Warden Cochrane and Councillor Pineo to recommend to Council that they support the ecoNova Scotia Clean Air and Climate Change Category 2 Grant Application for Falmouth Sewage Treatment Plant Phase 2R Variable Frequency Devices and commit at least 50% cash ($9,644.33), to the eligible total cost. MOTION CARRIED. Time is of the essence for this application, it needs to be submitted by January 31, 2010. ii. Report of the Planning Advisory Committee Councillor Pineo reported there had not been a Planning Advisory Committee meeting. iii. Report of Chief Administrative Officer CAO Chislett noted that there is not a report at this time, but would be two in February. iv. Report of Hants RDA Representative Councillor Gaudet also noted that Pat Gould-Thorpe’s husband had passed away. The last meeting of the HDRA centred around the results of their mid-year review. They have met expectations with modest improvements from last year. The HRDA does not agree with the findings and will be submitting an appeal. They will be requesting the actual numbers to see where they stand. The cause for concern is based on the fact that funding is directly related to their scoring on their review. If they were to exceed expectations, it would mean more funding. Councillor Gaudet provided some examples of some of the steps the HRDA has taken to improve their rating. Councillor Gaudet also noted that the letter they received was dated December 15, 2009, but was not received until January 4, 2010. The delay between the letter preparation and being received could have potentially cost the HRDA their ability to submit the appeal. This is something they will be looking in to. v. Report of Regional Emergency Management Organization Deputy Warden Cochrane reported that there had not been a meeting in December 2009. vi. Fire Advisory Committee Councillor Matheson reported that he toured the Brooklyn Fire Department/Civic Centre on January 3, 2010. The goal is that the facility will be ready to move in to on January 29. He also reported that the fire departments have times agreed upon for budget meetings. One does require rescheduling as it conflicts with Warden Dauphinee’s schedule. Councillor Pineo inquired about the status of receiving financial information from the Windsor Fire Department – whether it had been received or not. CAO Chislett reported that they have received 2007/2008 statements, but that the 2009 were still in the hands of the auditors. Some discussion surrounded the topic of when the Municipality should have access to those records. There was discussion regarding what the portion of funds the Municipality of West Hants contributes to the Windsor Fire Department and what that covers. There was also discussion regarding the building of a new fire department for Windsor and its priority at this time. vii. Police Advisory Committee Councillor Gaudet reported that there will be a meeting on January 25, 2010. viii. Kings Transit Councillor Matheson reported that Kings Transit meetings are very lively. He noted the repair and maintenance is over budget and he gave a brief synopsis of this. There was a discussion regarding ridership numbers. Councillor Matheson reported that R. Mullins noted that the buses have some dead time and has suggested the potential of adding extra runs and wanted it passed along to Council for consideration. There was discussion about Kings Para integrating with Kings Transit. Also discussed was East Hants doing a feasibility study to extend bus service into Mt. Uniacke and possibly Sackville. There was discussion on Digby requesting 25% of the grant back as they pay for everything in their area and are not a financial burden on Kings Transit. There was also discussion about R. Mullins doing a Kings Transit presentation to Joint Council in the near future. ix. Other Committee Reports or Recommendations There were no Committee reports or recommendations. x. Referrals from Joint Council There was not a Joint Council meeting held in November. 10. Correspondence i. December 2, 2009 – Minister of Environment – Shovelmaster Dredge Barge MOVED by Councillor Pineo and Councillor Gaudet that the correspondence dated December 2, 2009 – Minister of Environment – Shovelmaster Dredge Barge be received and placed on file. MOTION CARRIED. ii. December 3, 2009 – NS House of Assembly re: visit of Her Majesty the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh (2010) MOVED by Councillor Matheson and Councillor Pineo that the correspondence dated December 3, 2009 – NS House of Assembly regarding visit of Her Majesty the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh (2010) be received and placed on file. MOTION CARRIED. iii. December 9, 2009 – Fisheries & Aquaculture – State of Nova Scotia Coast Report MOVED by Councillor Gaudet and Councillor Shanks that the correspondence dated December 9, 2009 – Fisheries & Aquaculture – State of Nova Scotia Coast Report be received and placed on file. MOTION CARRIED. iv. December 10, 2009 – Fire Inspector’s Association of NS – thank you letter MOVED by Councillor Gaudet and Councillor Brown that the correspondence dated December 10, 2009 – Fire Inspector’s Association of Nova Scotia – thank you letter be received and placed on file. MOTION CARRIED. v. December 18, 2009 – Health Promotion & Protection – H1N1 Clinics MOVED by Councillor Gaudet and Councillor Shanks that the correspondence dated December 18, 2009 – Health Promotion & Protection – H1N1 Clinics be received and placed on file. MOTION CARRIED. Councillor Gaudet commented that he felt the Minister’s office missed the point of the letter the Municipality sent regarding the H1N1 clinics and the questions asked were not addressed. MOVED by Councillor Gaudet and Councillor Brown that CAO Chislett to write a letter to Linda Young, and carbon copy Chris Power, requesting clarification and a direct answer regarding why Hants County was two weeks behind the rest of Capital District Health Authority in receiving the H1N1 vaccines. MOTION CARRIED. vi. December 22, 2009 – Destination SWNS – CAT Ferry MOVED by Councillor Pineo and Councillor Shanks that the correspondence dated December 22, 2009 – Destination SWNS – CAT Ferry be received and placed on file. MOTION CARRIED. There was discussion surrounding the benefits in tourism that Hants County receives based on tourists entering the province via the CAT Ferry. There was also discussion on whether the CAT is the right service for the area. At the time there is no action stemming from the correspondence received. vii. January 5, 2010 – Victor Swinamer re: Falmouth Township Road MOVED by Councillor Gaudet and Councillor Matheson that the correspondence dated January 5, 2010 – Victor Swinamer regarding Falmouth Township Road be received and placed on file. MOTION CARRIED. viii. January 8, 2010 – Victor Swimaner re: Falmouth Township Road MOVED by Councillor Gaudet and Councillor Matheson that the correspondence dated January 8, 2010 – Victor Swimaner regarding Falmouth Township Road be received and placed on file. MOTION CARRIED. ix. January 5, 2010 – Kim MacQuarrie re: Falmouth Township Road MOVED by Councillor Gaudet and Councillor Matheson that the correspondence dated January 5, 2010 – Kim MacQuarrie regarding Falmouth Township Road be received and placed on file. MOTION CARRIED. x. January 11, 2010 – Charles Card re: Falmouth Township Road MOVED by Councillor Gaudet and Councillor Matheson that the correspondence dated January 11, 2010 – Charles Card regarding Falmouth Township Road be received and placed on file. MOTION CARRIED. xi. January 5, 2010 – Elroy MacQuarrie re: Falmouth Township Road MOVED by Councillor Gaudet and Councillor Matheson that the correspondence dated January 5, 2010 – Elroy MacQuarrie regarding Falmouth Township Road be received and placed on file. MOTION CARRIED. xii. January 4, 2010 – Office of the Prime Minister – Royal Visit 2010 MOVED by Councillor Pineo and Councillor Shanks that the correspondence dated January 4, 2010 – Office of the Prime Minister – Royal Visit 2010 be received and placed on file. MOTION CARRIED. 11. Miscellaneous / New Business There was discussion regarding the placement of the 45th Parallel signage. Councillor Matheson has suggested placement on Highway 14, in Mantua and on Highway 1 in Falmouth. He has requested the Councillors of those areas investigate where the signs should go and then it should be sent to Committee of the Whole for recommendation to Council. 12. Adjournment Warden Dauphinee thanked Mayor Stead of Wolfville for taking the time to come and observe the Council meeting and invited comments from the Mayor. Mayor Stead thanked Council for allowing his attendance at the meeting. He stated that he was impressed that the West Hants Councillors came to the meeting very prepared for what was being discussed. MOVED by Councillor Matheson and Councillor Gaudet that the meeting adjourn. MOTION CARRIED. The meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.
{Original signed by:}
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| Last Updated on Friday, 05 March 2010 13:32 |