COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

FOR THE

MUNICIPALITY OF THE DISTRICT OF SHELBURNE

January 11, 2010

The Committee of the Whole Meeting for the Municipality of the District of Shelburne was held on Monday, January 11, 2010 commencing at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Administration Building, Shelburne, Nova Scotia.

THOSE IN ATTENDANCE WERE:

• Warden Sherm Embree
  
• Councillor Doris Townsend
  
• Councillor Ardith VanBuskirk
  
• Councillor Cathy Holmes
  
• Councillor Norman Wallet
  
• Deputy Warden John Roscoe
  
• Councillor Roger Taylor
  
• Kirk Cox, CAO
  
• Penny Smith, Municipal Clerk
  
• Dwayne Carey, Director of Finance
  
• Lydia Deinstadt, Recording Secretary
  
• Marilyn Johnston, Director of Recreation & Parks
  
• Heidi Wagner, Joint Services Administrator

Also Present:

Members of the public & press

1. CALL TO ORDER:

The Meeting was called to order at 5:00 p.m.

2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

Being duly moved and seconded, be it resolved that the Minutes of December 7, 2009 be approved as circulated with the following amendments:

Page 4 Item 6. (c) MOTION: PHYSICIAN RECRUITMENT – MAIL OUT POSTPONEMENT – Change the word “by” to “from”.

Page 6 Item 7. (b) MOTION: FUNDING SUPPORT NEEDS ASSESSMENT – SHELBURNE COUNTY RECREATION SOCIETY- MOTION#1 – Change: “ to do more “leg work” to find out the wants and needs of the residents before having a needs assessment study prepared” to “to do a business case before having a needs assessment study prepared”.

-MOTION CARRIED

3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA:

Being duly moved and seconded, be it resolved that the Agenda of January 11, 2010 be approved with the following additions:

9. (d)	Currently item 6. on the agenda - Characteristics of a Future Regional Development Authority
9. (e)	Funding Partners Letter of Intent to SWSDA – December 11, 2009
9. (f)	SWSDA – Priority List
9. (g)	Director of Recreation & Parks – Meeting Notes (Dec. 3, 2009)

-MOTION CARRIED

4. PRESENTATIONS:

None

5. BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES

None

6. MEMBERS OF COUNCIL:

None

7. STAFF REPORTS:

1. Region 6 Solid Waste Management – 2010/11 Budget
   *Valda Walsh – Region 6 Coordinator & Kirk Symonds – Region 6 Educator, to provide a brief presentation*
   
2. Region of Queens Municipality – Contracts – Organics & Recyclables
   
3. Age Friendly Transportation Pilot Project
   
4. Albert Acker Field – Lease Agreement with the Shelburne & Area Minor
   Baseball Association
   
5. Shelburne County Arena Association - Council Membership on the Board
   
6. Museum and Tourism Grants – Black Loyalist Heritage Society

7. (a)

A brief slideshow was presented by Valda Walsh, Region 6 Coordinator and Kirk Symonds, Region 6 Educator to Council. The slideshow highlighted the Region 6 Solid Waste Education Program and the work they do with schools, community halls and local businesses. A breakdown of the budget was presented as well.

Ms. Walsh & Mr. Symonds were thanked for their presentation.

MOTION: REGION 6 SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT – 2010/11 BUDGET

Being duly moved and seconded, be it resolved that Committee of the Whole recommend to Council that the staff report regarding the Region 6 Solid Waste Management – 2010/11 Budget be approved, which states that:

Council approve the Region 6 Solid Waste Management Board’s operating budget for fiscal 2010/11.

AMENDMENT: REGION 6 SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT – 2010/11 BUDGET

Being duly moved and seconded, be it resolved that Committee of the Whole recommend to Council that:

The word “approve” be deleted from the original motion and insert the word “acknowledge”.

-AMENDMENT DEFEATED

Council was advised that the word “approve” is necessary in the motion as per the agreement that has been signed by the Municipality. The Region 6 Coordinator stated that to be able to move into the next fiscal year, approval of the budget is required from the majority of the Municipalities that have entered into the municipal agreement. It was suggested by Council that clarification of the terminology should be considered when a review of the agreement takes place.

The original motion was carried.

7. (b)

MOTION: REGION OF QUEENS MUNICIPALITY – CONTRACTS – ORGANICS & RECYCLABLES

Being duly moved and seconded, be it resolved that the Committee of the Whole recommend to Council that the staff report regarding the Region of Queens Municipality – Contracts – Organics & Recyclables be approved, which states that:

Council renew its contracts with the Region of Queens Municipality for a five year term for the acceptance of recyclables and organic materials at their landfill and recycling facility.

-MOTION CARRIED

It was clarified that there is an option to make changes within the contract as long as the waste continues to be taken to Queens. Concerns for the increase in cost were also discussed. It was suggested that the contract be reviewed by a solicitor before being signed.

7. (c)

MOTION: AGE FRIENDLY TRANSPORTATION PILOT PROJECT

Being duly moved and seconded, be it resolved that Committee of the Whole recommend to Council that the staff report regarding the Age Friendly Transportation Pilot Project be approved, which states that:

The Municipality of the District of Shelburne support the Age
Friendly Transportation Pilot Project in principle with funds provided from the Service Nova Scotia Transportation Rural Infrastructure
Fund in 2008/09 and match funds applied for through the Nova Scotia Department of Seniors.

-MOTION CARRIED

The ICSP Coordinator and the Director of Recreation and Parks collaborated on this staff report because of its inclusion in the ICSP document. Discussions were held regarding the different scenarios on how this project may unfold. It was clarified that funds for this project will not come from the operating budget.

It was noted that the Shelburne County Transportation Society will be making a presentation to the February COW to discuss mandate and responsibilities of the society.

7. (d)

MOTION: ALBERT ACKER FIELD – LEASE AGREEMENT WITH THE SHELBURNE COUNTY & AREA MINOR BASEBALL ASSOCIATION

Being duly moved and seconded, be it resolved that the Committee of the Whole recommend to Council that the staff report regarding the Albert Acker Field – Lease Agreement with the Shelburne County & Area Minor Baseball Association be approved, which states that:

Council approve leasing most of the Albert Acker Field to the Shelburne and Area Minor Baseball Association for $1.00 for a period of 10 years to develop and operate a little league baseball field with an option to renew.

-MOTION CARRIED

It was agreed that this was very good news to know that the field will be used and maintained on a regular basis.

7. (e)

MOTION: SHELBURNE COUNTY ARENA ASSOCIATION – COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP ON THE BOARD

Being duly moved and seconded, be it resolved that the Committee of the Whole recommend to Council that the staff report regarding the Shelburne County Arena Association – Council Membership on the Board be approved, which states that:

Council representation on the Board of the Shelburne County Arena Association should remain at one (1) member.

-MOTION CARRIED

It was clarified that this report represents all municipal units involved having one member on the board. It was discussed that there are still some issues regarding the arena i.e. arena ownership, that still need clarity.

7. (f)

MOTION: MUSEUM AND TOURISM GRANTS – BLACK LOYALIST HERITAGE SOCIETY

Being duly moved and seconded, be it resolved that the Committee of the Whole recommend to Council that the staff report regarding Museum and Tourism Grants – Black Loyalist Heritage Society be approved, which states that:

It is recommended to Council that the Black Loyalist Heritage Society be awarded a grant of $5000 for this fiscal year only. The grant is to come from the 2009-2010 operating budget Museum and Tourism – S-22.

-MOTION CARRIED

Although the original request was for $10,000.00 a year, for the next three years, the CAO stated that with the Municipality’s fiscal year coming to end, that this amount would be reasonable. It was noted that the project that the Black Loyalist Heritage Society is embarking on is a very important part of our community heritage. A suggestion was made that the BLHS could look for other funding partners within the other county municipalities or another request could be made in the new fiscal year. It was also suggested that based on this request, the Municipality may wish to increase this section of the budget.

8. COMMITTEE REPORTS:

None

9. INFORMATION AND OTHER REPORTS:

1. Physical Activity & Community School Co-ordinator - Progress Update
   (Jan. 1, 2010)
   
2. Assistant to the Director of Recreation and Parks Report
   (Dec. 1 – Dec. 31, 2009)
   
3. Director of Recreation & Parks – Meeting Notes
   (Dec. 3, 2009)
   
4. Characteristics of a Future Regional Development
   
5. Funding Partners Letter of Intent to SWSDA – December 11, 2009
   
6. SWSDA – Priority List
   
7. Director of Recreation & Parks – Meeting Notes
   (January 7, 2010)

9. (a,b,c,g)

These items were reviewed. It was questioned whether or not these reports should come to Council or just kept on record. The CAO will make a decision on this matter.

9. (d)

With the pending meeting regarding SWSDA on January 12th, 2010 in Barrington, the Warden opened the floor for comments and any concerns Council had in regards to the current RDA. The pros and cons of staying with SWSDA were discussed. The exposure that SWSDA gives the Municipality, financially i.e. lines of credit, loan guarantees, etc. and support with legal and property issues were recognized by Council. The characteristics of what Council would like to see in a new RDA were discussed, for example, issues such as transparency in the hiring of staff, finances, etc. and having a management board are of concern. The CAO noted the many projects the Municipality had taken a lead on and their success, i.e. lobbying the government regarding Shelburne Ship Repair, the successful recruitment of an E.R. doctor, accessing funds for renovations to the Medical Clinic, etc. Final discussions were in support of the Municipality continuing with SWSDA until the transition is complete, in order protect their interests. Although Council supports a new RDA, it also questioned whether Shelburne County should be considering its own RDA. It was acknowledged that there is still a lot of work to do before a final decision can be made.

9. (e)

A letter that was sent to SWSDA on December 11, 2009 was reviewed. This letter requests direct information so the Municipality can make an informed decision on whether they would like to make a commitment to SWSDA. There has been no response from them in regards to this letter. It was agreed that a further letter be sent to SWSDA requesting them to respond to our December 11, 2009 letter.

9. (f)

Another letter was received from SWSDA dated January 7, 2010 asking Council to list their top 3-4 priorities for the Municipality by January 25, 2010. To show SWSDA the Municipality’s commitment to economic development in Shelburne County, it was decided to reply to this letter. Our priorities were stated as being:

• Economic Service Delivery Model
• Implementation of the ICSP
• Physician/health professional recruitment
• Infrastructure upgrades

10. NOTICE OF MOTION:

None

11. ADDED ITEMS:

(a)
(b)

12. MOTION: ADJOURNMENT

Being duly moved and seconded, be it resolved that there being no further business, the meeting be adjourned at 7:06 p.m.

-MOTION CARRIED