COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

FOR THE

MUNICIPALITY OF THE DISTRICT OF SHELBURNE

December 12, 2011

The Committee of the Whole Meeting for the Municipality of the District of Shelburne was held on Monday, December 12, 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

Kirk Cox, CAO

Matt MacInnis, Director of Finance

Emily Tipton, Sustainability Coordinator

Penny Smith, Municipal Clerk

REGRETS:

Erin Hartley, Executive Assistant

Deputy Warden John Roscoe

1.  CALL TO ORDER:

The Meeting was called to order at 5:00 pm by Councillor Taylor.

2.  APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

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

• Page 4 item  6. (b) Electronic billing  should be changed to Electronic Voting
• Page 4 item 6. (a)  add the word “that” to the motion

-MOTION CARRIED

3.  APPROVAL OF AGENDA:

Being duly moved and seconded, be it resolved that the Agenda of December 12, 2011 be approved with the following additions:

            8. (a)  South West Transit

            8. (b)  Sustainability Event in Bridgewater

            9.(f)  South West Economic Development Council Appointment

            9. (g)  Garian Construction

            10. (a)  Invitations

                                                                                    -MOTION CARRIED

5. BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES

None

6.  MEMBERS OF COUNCIL:

(a)  Grants Committee, Membership Review – Warden Embree

6.  (a)  Warden Embree noted that the Grants Committee will be beginning its work again for next year.  It was suggested that one Councillor rotate that has not yet been on the Committee.  It was agreed that Councillor Wallet will replace Councillor Townsend on the Committee.

7.  STAFF REPORTS:

(a)  Beulah Burman Memorial Animal Shelter

(b)  Yarmouth-Maine Ferry Study

7. (a) Penny Smith, Municipal Clerk provided background information regarding action and former arrangements with BBMASS.  It was noted that services covered in the existing service agreement are now being provided by the by-law enforcement officer.

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:

(1)  Pursuant to the existing Service Agreement between the BBMASS and the Municipality of the District of Shelburne, a grant be approved to the BBMASS in the amount o f $5,556.67, being the total amount of outstanding taxes against property located at #528 Sandy Point Road, Sandy Point; such grant to be retained to pay the outstanding amount;

(2)  The existing Service Agreement between the Municipality and the BBMASS be terminated as it is no longer applicable; and

(3)  All funding requests from the BBMASS be handled through the Municipality’s Grants to Organizations Program.

-MOTION DEFEATED

Discussion was held regarding former service agreement, tax relief, inclusion in tax exemption policy, ability to pay, balancing contributions to community groups, providing a grant year by year to keep them off the tax sale list, pre-committing funds from the grants committee, requirements of the Municipal Government Act,  setting a precedent and fundraising opportunities.

This matter will be brought up again in the future.

4.  PRESENTATIONS:

(a)  CPV Canada Limited                                                  

Lucas Reindler, Manager

Re:  Update on Wind Energy Development Opportunities in MDS

4. (a)  Lucas Reindler, CPV provided an update on wind energy development opportunities in the Municipality.  Introductions were made and a power point presentation was shown to Committee.  Discussion was held regarding wind farm opportunities, company history, successful projects, core values, activity in Shelburne County, large and small scale projects, Nova Scotia Power, commercialization, governmental process and restrictions, public input and feedback from landowners as well as Meteorological (Met) Towers at Government Point and evaluation of its wind data.

Mr. Reindler advised that his company will continue to collect data, which will be shared with the Municipality and he is hopeful for a successful business collaboration with the Municipality with regards to wind energy development opportunities.

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

7. (b) The Yarmouth-Maine Ferry Study Staff Report was mentioned as an information item.  No discussion was held.

8. COMMITTEE REPORTS:

(a)  South West Transit Report

(b)  Sustainability Event in Bridgewater

8. (a)  Councillor Townsend advised the South West Transit group held a meeting this morning.  The group is working through paperwork and hoping to start in February and launch in April 2012.

8. (b) Councillor Holmes advised that she attended a sustainability event in Bridgewater where they visited various sustainable projects and discussed their viability and visibility within the community.  She noted that the Lunenburg Lifestyle Centre will be opening next year.

9.  INFORMATION AND OTHER REPORTS:

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

(b)  Physical Activity and Community School Coordinator Report (November, 2011)

(c)  Building Inspection Report (November, 2011)

(d)  Recreation and Parks Advisory Committee Minutes (November, 2011)

(e)  CBDC Business Support Consultation – Update (CAO)

(f)   Southwest Economic Development Council

(g)  Garian Construction

9. (a)  This item was noted.

9. (b)  This item was noted. 

9. (c) This item was noted.

9. (d)  This item was noted.

9. (e)  The CAO provided an update on the CBDC Business Support Consultation workshop he and the Sustainability Coordinator attended, discussing economic development project issues and preparation, barriers for supply, spin offs and local businesses to participate.  It was noted that a positive project would be a tradeshow for new and existing local businesses, the NSCC and government.

9. (f)  The CAO advised that he sent an email last week requesting recommendations for a representative for the Southwest Economic Development Council.  Discussion was held regarding the duties and responsibilities of a representative and that Council as a whole.  A number of possible representatives were suggested to the CAO.

9. (g) The CAO advised that Garian Construction has notified the municipal units involved in the SWSDA Bankruptcy that they have filed legal action against them and that the municipal units have until the end of January to file a defence.  It was noted that this is likely to not be the only legal action in this regard.  Discussion was held regarding the sale price of the Seacoast Entertainment Arts property, the trustees report on the bankruptcy and individual legal consultation.

10.   ADDED ITEMS:

(a)  Invitations

10. (a)  Invitation from Region of Queens – Monday, December 19^th at 2pm for the grand opening of Queens Place.

Christmas concerts at Hillcrest Academy and Lockeport Elementary this evening at 7:00 pm.

11.  By unanimous consent, the meeting adjourned at 6:30 pm.