COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

FOR THE

MUNICIPALITY OF THE DISTRICT OF SHELBURNE

November 14, 2011

The Committee of the Whole Meeting for the Municipality of the District of Shelburne was held on Monday, November 14, 2011 commencing at 5:00 pm in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Administration Building, Shelburne, Nova Scotia.

THOSE IN ATTENDANCE WERE:

Warden Sherm Embree

Councillor Norman Wallet

Councillor Roger Taylor

Councillor Doris Townsend

Councillor Cathy Holmes 

Councillor Ardith VanBuskirk

Deputy Warden John Roscoe

Kirk Cox, CAO

Matt MacInnis, Director of Finance

Emily Tipton, Sustainability Coordinator

Kim Ringer, Recording Secretary

REGRETS:

Erin Hartley, Executive Assistant

Penny Smith, Municipal Clerk

1.  CALL TO ORDER:

The Meeting was called to order at 5:00 pm by Deputy Warden Roscoe.

2.  APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

Being duly moved and seconded, be it resolved that the Minutes of October 11, 2011 be approved as circulated.

-MOTION CARRIED

3.  APPROVAL OF AGENDA:

Being duly moved and seconded, be it resolved that the Agenda of November 14, 2011 be approved with the following addition:

            10. (a)  CAO Performance Development Review

                                                                                    -MOTION CARRIED

4.  PRESENTATIONS:

(a)  Beulah Burman Memorial Animal Shelter Society                      5:15 pm

Renata Tweedy, President

Re:  Property and Operations Update

(b)  Activating Change Together for Community Food Security      5:45 pm

Sheila Bird, Population Health Promoter

Re:  Project Update

4. (a)  Renata Tweedy made a presentation to Committee regarding the Beulah Burman Memorial Animal Shelter Society and  its subsidiary Pet Projects.  Discussion was held regarding the virtual world of Pet Projects including its partners, volunteers, participants, financial support, advertisements and assistance.

Discussion was also held regarding the services provided by Pet Projects including pet partnering, pet food bank, spay and neuter program, advocacy and education.

The BBMASS building located in Sandy Point was discussed including its daily use for operations, food bank, storage, meeting space, fundraiser, adoption fairs as well as meet and greets. The future of the building was also discussed, noting that the group is open to possibilities for better utilization of the space.

Ms. Tweedy noted that the group is very excited to see the positive changes in the Dog By-Law and were pleased to have been consulted with respect to changes proposed by the group. 

A question and answer period was held and volunteers from the group discussed revenue generation, building expenses, property taxes, community welfare, service to residents and grants from municipal units.

All members of the group were thanked for their attendance and their informative presentation.

4. (b)  Sheila Bird, Population Health Promoter, made a presentation regarding the Activating Change Together for Community Food Security Program and her role in this regard.  Discussion was held regarding the District Health Authority’s mission and the realization that health starts in the community.  Community engagement, communication, education, partnerships, collaborations, active transportation, food security, public policy and youth programming were all topics of discussion.

Ms. Bird was thanked for her presentation and left the meeting.

5. BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES

None

6.  MEMBERS OF COUNCIL:

(a)  Health Care Letter – Councillor Taylor*

(b)  UNSM AGM Update – Councillor Wallett

(c)  Debrief – 12% Protected Areas – Warden Embree

6.  (a)  Councillor Taylor provided a draft motion for consideration.

MOTION: HEALTH CARE – LETTER TO MINSTER OF HEALTH

Being duly moved and seconded, be it resolved that Committee of the Whole recommend to Council that a letter be written to the Minister of Health  and the Minister of Finance recommending that the amount of administrative services in the health care system be reduced and the savings be redirected into front line health care workers such as doctors and nurses.

-MOTION DEFEATED

Discussion was held regarding the need for indicating support and encouragement for this provincial health care initiative, administrative workload, potential conflict with the Roseway Manor Upgrade Project funding, wording of the letter to include specifics for what we are advocating for and provincial downloading.  It was agreed that the letter be copied to the other municipal units in Shelburne County.

AMENDED MOTION: HEALTH CARE – LETTER TO MINSTER OF HEALTH

Being duly moved and seconded, be it resolved that Committee of the Whole recommend to Council that a letter be written to the Minister of Health and the Minister of Finance, supporting that the amount of administrative services in the health care system be reduced and the savings be redirected into front line health care workers such as doctors and nurses.

-MOTION CARRIED

It was suggested that Councillor Taylor prepare a draft letter and bring to Council for approval. 

6. (b)  Councillor Wallett provided an update from the UNSM Annual General Meeting including outdoor spaces for bicycles, fire inspections to businesses, protection for fire fighters, active transportation, Efficiency NS presentation, transportation strategy, COMFIT, CAP Program, electronic billing, Canada Post changes to community boxes, Elections Canada and well water.

Warden Embree discussed Cooke Aquaculture, by-law review, trail connections, Procurement Act and it was noted that all resolutions are available on the UNSM website.

6. (c)  Warden Embree advised that he attended a meeting with the Department of Natural Resources to discuss the 12% protected area goal for land area in Nova Scotia.  Currently 8.6% is protected. Discussion was held regarding public input, woodland users and local sites.

7.  STAFF REPORTS:

(a)  Large Wind COMFIT Opportunity Financial Analysis

(b)  PVSC Cost Sharing Analysis

(c)  BBMASS

(d)  Interim Tax Billing

(e)  Ken Simpson Fund

(f)  Investment Ready Strategic Plan

7. (a) Emily Tipton explained that as part of the Eastern Shelburne County Energy Strategy and the Wind Energy Development Plan projects, opportunities were identified for the Municipality to participate in the Community Feed-In Tariff (COMFIT) Program, introduced by the  Nova Scotia Department of Energy to provide long-term, fixed price contracts for electricity generation by eligible community groups, including municipalities.  Analysis has been gathered from a MET Tower at the base property.

Discussion was held regarding higher wind speeds than expected, financial analysis, connection to Nova Scotia Power grid, COMFIT, rate per kW/h, revenue generation, significant investment for start up, possible locations for wind turbines and opportunities for future owners of the base property.

It was noted that the Auction for the base property is being held on November 24, 2011.  It was agreed to consult with the new owner on this issue before proceeding.

7.  (b)  Matt MacInnis, Director of Finance informed Council how Property Valuation Services Corporation (PVSC) is funded by municipal units.  The budget is allocated to the Municipalities based on a formula set out in the PVSC Act.   Our portion is $143,915 for the 2011/12 fiscal year. Each municipality pays the average of their proportional share of the uniform assessment and the total number of assessment accounts.

7.  (c)   MOTION: BEULAH BURMAN MEMORIAL ANIMAL SHELTER SOCIETY

Being duly moved and seconded, be it resolved that Committee of the Whole recommend to Council that the staff report regarding Beulah Burman Memorial Animal Shelter Society be approved, which states that:

• Council approve a grant of up to $4,200 to the Beulah Burman Memorial Animal Shelter Society and that the funds be retained to reduce the outstanding taxes to March 31, 2009 on their property in Sandy Point.

-MOTION CARRIED

Discussion was held regarding tax sale procedures, written agreements, grants to organizations, the possibility of providing a grant for the entire tax balance, the possibility of including BBMASS on the property tax exemption list and the service being provided to the community. 

7. (d)  MOTION: DUE DATE OF INTERIM TAX BILLING FOR 2012-13 - AMENDED

Being duly moved and seconded, be it resolved that Committee of the Whole recommend to Council that the staff report regarding Due Date of Interim Tax Billing for 2012-13 be approved, which states that:

• Item number 5 of the property tax motion passed by Council on June 20, 2011 be amended to read “An interim tax bill be sent for fiscal 2012-13, being 60% of the previous year’s total tax bill with  the due date of the interim tax bill being May 31, 2012.”

-MOTION CARRIED

It was noted that the change will avoid confusion at year end and allow time between the annual tax sale in March and interim billing in May.

7. (e)  MOTION: CONTRIBUTION TO THE KEN SIMPSON MUNICIPAL LECTURE SERIES FUND

Being duly moved and seconded, be it resolved that Committee of the Whole recommend to Council that the staff report regarding Contribution to the Ken Simpson Municipal Lecture Series Fund be approved, which states that:

• The Municipality contribute $750 to UNSM in support of the Ken Simpson Municipal Lecture Series Fund with the funds being charged to account 0021210261 Seminars & Conferences.

-MOTION CARRIED

7. (f)  The CAO outlined the county wide Investment Ready Strategic Plan, noting that CBDC has partnered with Acadia University on this project.  It was noted that this fits well with budget discussions and ICSP goals regarding economic development and growth.

Councillor VanBuskirk declared a conflict of interest.

Discussion was held regarding the support group for businesses, benefits for community and region, support for the event and including private local businesses in this project.

MOTION: INVESTMENT READY STRATEGIC PLAN

Being duly moved and seconded, be it resolved that Committee of the Whole recommend to Council that the staff report regarding Investment Ready Strategic Plan be approved, which states that:

• The Municipality of Shelburne support the Investment Ready Strategic Plan project from the Shelburne Community Business Development Corporation by contributing $1000 toward project costs.

-MOTION CARRIED

8. COMMITTEE REPORTS:

None

9.  INFORMATION AND OTHER REPORTS:

(a)  Assistant to the Director of Recreation and Parks Report (September, 2011)

(b)  Building Inspection Report (October, 2011)

(c)  Recreation and Parks Advisory Committee Minutes (October, 2011)

(d)  Proposal – The Southwest Economic Development Council

(e)  Team Shelburne Funds – Draft Letter

(f)   RBC Inquiry

9. (a)  This item was noted.

9. (b)  This item was noted. 

9. (c) This item was noted.

9. (d)  The CAO noted that this effort is to assist municipalities and community members with economic development projects.  Discussion was held regarding office space in the Municipal Administration Building and hiring process.

9. (e)  The CAO advised that a letter was received from Minister Paris noting that Team Shelburne Funds need to be applied to economic development efforts.  The CAO replied to the letter outlining the circumstances relating to the payment of the RBC Loan Guarantee for SWSDA.

9. (f)  Council requested particulars on the SWSDA Line of Credit.  The reply stated that the larger line of credit was used for operating the former Base property and the smaller line of credit was used for operating the former Boy School property.  No itemized list was received.

10.   ADDED ITEMS:

(a) CAO Development Review

10. (a)  It was noted that a CAO performance review should be held as an in camera item at the next Council Meeting.

11.  By unanimous consent, the meeting adjourned at 8:29 pm.

-MOTION CARRIED