AUDIT AND PROGRAM SERVICES COMMITTEE MEETING

May 25, 2011

The Audit and Program Services Committee Meeting was held on Wednesday, May 25, 2011 in the 3rd Floor Council Chambers of the Municipal Administration Building, Shelburne, Nova Scotia.

THOSE IN ATTENDANCE WERE:
Warden Sherman Embree
Councillor Norman Wallet
Councillor Ardith VanBuskirk
Councillor Cathy Holmes
Deputy Warden John Roscoe
Councillor Roger Taylor
Councillor Doris Townsend
Dwayne Carey, Director of Finance
Kirk Cox, CAO
Erin Hartley, Recording Secretary
Emily Tipton, Sustainability Coordinator

Members of the public were also present.

REGRETS:
Penny Smith, Municipal Clerk

1. The meeting began at 5:00 pm, chaired by Warden Embree.

2. The meeting notes of March 30, 2011 were accepted as circulated.

3. The agenda was accepted with the following additions:
8. (a) Taskforce Southwest – Warden Embree
9. (a) Fire Advisory Committee – Councillor VanBuskirk
9. (b) Nova Scotia Power Inc. – Councillor VanBuskirk

5. Emily Tipton, Sustainable Development Coordinator
(a) Information Item – ICSP Annual Report
(b) Information Item – Community Feed-In Tariff Opportunities

5. (a) Emily Tipton, Sustainable Development Co-ordinator provided an update to Committee regarding the 2010/11 ICSP actions and activities including completed projects, new projects, implementation progress and plans, leveraging external funds as well as projects for development.

Discussion was held regarding litter signage, releasing the progress report summary to the public, economic development as well as meeting with the MLA in relation to items in the ICSP that require assistance.

Warden Embree noted that he will be meeting with the MLA on Tuesday, May 31, 2011 if any Councillors would like to attend.

Ms. Tipton was thanked for her presentation and was commended for showing initiative and flexibility in relation to the implementation of the ICSP.

4. Presentation: SC Transportation Society
David Meyer, Committee Member
Re: Information Update

David Meyer, member of the SC Transportation Society gave a brief presentation to Committee. He began by thanking Council for their support in the past. Discussion was held regarding funding, services to be provided, purchase vs. paying mileage to volunteers for their vehicle use, similar successful services, volunteer driver program and costs for the service.

Mr. Meyer noted that the Committee currently has two main needs; to broaden the board of directors and to recruit volunteer drivers. It was noted that the Society hopes to have this service available by the end of 2011.

Mr. Meyer was thanked for his presentation and left the meeting.

5.(b) Emily Tipton, Sustainable Development Co-ordinator presented Committee with an outline of the Community Feed-In Tariff Opportunities available to municipal units, including changes to the Electricity Act, background of Com-FIT, qualifying resources, eligible groups, proposed tariffs as well as the difference between enhanced net metering and Com-FIT.

Discussion was held regarding opportunities for the Shelburne Industrial Park, revenue and recovery costs, partnership opportunities and UNSM’s assistance in promoting these opportunities.

It was agreed that staff continue to work on this project.

6. Dwayne Carey, Director of Finance
(a) Tax Sale

6. (a) Dwayne Carey, Director of Finance advised that the 2011 Tax Sale went well. He advised that the Finance Department started with 62 properties and 44 were paid before the date of the sale. It was noted that it would be beneficial to hold a tax sale annually to maintain up to date accounts.

7. Penny Smith, Municipal Clerk
(a) Action List

7. (a) The Action List was reviewed. Discussion was held regarding policies/by-laws, LED Lighting and the Memorandum of Understanding with the Province and UNSM.

8. Council Information/Updates
(a) Taskforce Southwest – Warden Embree

8. (a) The Warden noted that the $100,000 being given to Taskforce Southwest by the Province is not being used for initiatives as he previously reported. He recently learned that the funds have been set aside to hire staff and set up a website to promote economic development in the area while waiting for a new Regional Development Authority to be formed.

9. Committee Reports
(a) Fire Advisory Committee – Councillor VanBuskirk
(b) Nova Scotia Power Inc. – Councillor VanBuskirk

9. (a) Councillor VanBuskirk gave a brief update on the discussions held at the last Fire Advisory Committee Meeting including dry hydrants, radio license fees, training opportunities, Medical First Responders, Equipment Committee, district fire boundaries and volunteer opportunities for departments to participate in Shelburne Founders’ Days.

Discussion was also held regarding a decision to change insurance companies for better coverage. It was noted that the budget will need to be adjusted to accommodate this change.

It was noted that Council would like to see an annual report from each fire department outlining their actions for the previous year.

9. (b) Councillor VanBuskirk noted that NSPI has suggested rate increases to the Utility and Review Board. She suggested that this increase was unwarranted and unreasonable.

10. Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 6:45 pm.