REGULAR SESSION OF THE 49TH COUNCIL

OF THE

MUNICIPALITY OF THE DISTRICT OF SHELBURNE

June 22, 2009

The Regular Session of the 49th Council of the Municipality of the District of Shelburne was held on Monday, June 22, 2009 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
  
• Deputy Warden John Roscoe
  
• Councillor Doris Townsend
  
• Councillor Norman Wallet
  
• Councillor Cathy Holmes
  
• Councillor Ardith VanBuskirk
  
• Councillor Roger Taylor
  
• Kirk Cox, CAO
  
• Penny Smith, Municipal Clerk
  
• Lydia Deinstadt, Recording Secretary
  
• Dwayne Carey, Director of Finance

ALSO PRESENT:

Members of the Press

1. CALL TO ORDER:

The Regular Session of Council was called to order at 5:00 p.m.

2. BLESSING:

Councillor Ardith VanBuskirk led Council in repeating the Lord's Prayer.

3. PROCLAMATIONS:

None

4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - April 27, 2009

Being duly moved and seconded, be it resolved that the Council Minutes of May 25th 2009 be approved as circulated.

-MOTION CARRIED

5. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Being duly moved and seconded, be it resolved that the Council Agenda of June 22, 2009 be approved with the following additions:

• Shelburne Library Building Association/Western Counties Regional Library
  
• Roseway Manor
  
• Shelburne County Museum
  
• Port Readiness
  
• Fire Advisory
  
• RCMP Advisory

-MOTION CARRIED

None

7. BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES:

None

8. PUBLIC HEARING:

None

9. STAFF REPORTS:

1. Installation of a Doppler Weather Radar Station in Southwestern Nova Scotia
   
2. Solid Waste Management – Feasibility Study
   
3. SWSDA Mandate in the Municipality of Shelburne
   
4. Amendments to Municipal Grants Policy
   
5. Municipal Building Emergency Renovations
   
6. Eastern Shelburne County Energy Strategy
   
7. Building Official Appointment – Motion Ratified
   

9. (a)

MOTION: INSTALLATION OF A DOPPLER WEATHER RADAR STATION IN SOUTHWESTERN NOVA SCOTIA

Being duly moved and seconded, be it resolved that Council accept the staff report regarding the installation of a Doppler Weather Radar Station in Southwestern Nova Scotia which states that:

1. The Municipality of the District of Shelburne send a letter to Environment Canada, requesting their consideration of installing a Doppler weather radar station in Southwestern Nova Scotia.
   
   -MOTION CARRIED

Council agreed that this is a very important project and well over due.

9. (b)

MOTION: SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT – FEASIBILITY STUDY

Being duly moved and seconded, be it resolved that Council accept the staff report regarding the Solid Waste Management – Feasibility Study, which states that:

1. A Feasibility Study be prepared for the Municipality of the District of Shelburne to investigate options that will consider the economic, social and environmental impacts on the transfer of all waste streams – recyclables, organics and garbage.

-MOTION CARRIED

There was discussion that Council was looking to have the Feasibility Study totally funded from other outside sources and not from municipal sources. It was noted that staff may have already found 50% of the funding from the FCM Green Fund and are waiting to hear from RRFB as well. It was stated that Council should look at every option available and wait for the study to be completed before any decisions are made.

9. (c)

MOTION: SWSDA MANDATE IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF SHELBURNE

Being duly moved and seconded, be it resolved that Council accept the staff report regarding SWSDA Mandate in the Municipality of Shelburne, which states that:

1. The Council of the Municipality of the District of Shelburne encourage discussions amongst municipal partners to create a Shelburne County Economic development body.

-MOTION CARRIED

Discussion was held regarding how big of a step this is for the MDS and that this matter needs a lot of investigation before any decisions are made. It is important that the MDS get input from the federal level to determine the kind of monetary support the MDS would receive in this type of move. It was stated that the MDS will examine all options available.

9. (d)

MOTION: AMENDMENTS TO MUNICIPAL GRANTS POLICY

Being duly moved and seconded, be it resolved that Council accept the staff report regarding the Municipal Grants Policy, which states that:

The following lines be deleted from the attached Grants Policy and Application Form:

• Student Grants & Bursaries – Academic, Athletic, Arts and Cultural Achievement (page 1)
  
• The total of the amounts paid in a fiscal year pursuant to Clause 65 (au) of the Municipal Government Act shall not exceed ¼ of 1% percent of the taxes for general municipal purposes levied by the municipality for that year. (page 2)

-MOTION CARRIED

9. (e)

MOTION: MUNICIPAL BUILDING EMERGENCY RENOVATIONS

Being duly moved and seconded, be it resolved that Council accept the staff report regarding Municipal Building Emergency Renovations, which states that:

Council approve the expenditure of $25,000 for the purpose of emergency renovations to the Municipal Building.

-MOTION CARRIED

It was clarified that $25,000 would be enough to cover the cost of the renovations.

9. (f)

MOTION: EASTERN SHELBURNE COUNTY ENERGY STRATEGY

Being duly moved and seconded, be it resolved that Council accept the staff report regarding Eastern Shelburne County Energy Strategy, which states that:

• The Municipality of the District of Shelburne join the Federation of Canadian Municipalities Partners for Climate Protection Program by passing the resolution provided in Attachment 1;
  
• The Municipality of the District of Shelburne act as the lead municipality to complete Milestones 1 through 3 of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities Partners for Climate Protection Program for the three Eastern Shelburne County municipalities;
  
• The Municipality of the District of Shelburne direct staff to seek funding for 50% of this project through the Federation of Canadian Municipalities Green Municipal Fund;
  
• The Municipality of the District of Shelburne direct staff to release the attached Request for Proposal to interested contractors to complete the Energy Strategy component of the project which would also serve as the PCP Milestone 3 report; and
  
• The Municipality of the District of Shelburne commit to fund 50% of their share of the project cost for the energy strategy if the other municipalities agree to proceed and funding can be secured for the balance of the project.

-MOTION CARRIED

9. (g)

MOTION: BUILDING OFFICIAL APPOINTMENT – MOTION RATIFIED

Being duly moved and seconded, be it resolved that Council accept the staff report regarding Building Official Appointment – Motion Ratified, which states that:

Council appoint Ms. Tina McKay as (a) Qualified Building Official for the Municipality of the District of Shelburne, effective June 23, 2009.

-MOTION CARRIED

There was clarification about the budget implications that were added to the June 16th staff report. It was stated by the CAO that the budget will not change because of this motion and the increase was already accounted for in the Joint Services budget.

10. MEMBERS OF COUNCIL:

(a) Lobster Industry License Fees – Councillor VanBuskirk

10. (a)

MOTION: LOBSTER INDUSTRY LICENSE FEES

Whereas the lobster industry in Southwestern Nova Scotia is facing significant challenges; and

Whereas lobster fishermen are seeking constructive ways to develop the local and international lobster market;

BE IT RESOLVED that on a recommendation of the Committee of the Whole, Council ask the Nova Scotia Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture to withdraw the proposal to force fishermen to pay a license fee to sell lobsters directly to the public.

-MOTION CARRIED

Councillor VanBuskirk also suggested that support from all the municipal units on this matter should be encouraged and a copy of this motion be sent to them.

11. NOTICE OF MOTIONS:

None

12. COMMITTEE REPORTS:

1. Shelburne Library Building Ass./Western Counties Regional Library/Roseway Manor Board – Councillor Holmes
   
2. Shelburne County Museum – Councillor Townsend
   
3. Port Readiness Committee/Fire Advisory Committee – Councillor Taylor
   
4. RCMP Advisory Board – Councillor VanBuskirk

12. (a)

Councillor Holmes reported that the Shelburne Library Building Association, which is the organization which looks after the McKay Memorial Library, has a proposed an addition to the front of the library. An application has been sent to SWSDA to seek funding for this project.

In regards to Western Counties Regional Library, there was a task force that investigated funding for libraries and the task force gave a report to the Conservative government in September, 2008. The task force report has not yet been released, but there was a draft memorandum of understanding that outlined a number of recommendations that were required to help libraries seek the funding that they need.

With respect to the Roseway Manor Board, Councillor Holmes also reported that the new 10 passenger van has arrived.

(b) Shelburne County Museum – Councillor Townsend

12. (b)

Councillor Townsend reported that Gloria Beuree’s position has been filled by Kim Trucan. Ed Cayer has finished the five year strategic plan for the museum and it is currently being reviewed along with a few other items the committee would like to see happen with the museum.

(c) Port Readiness Committee/Fire Advisory Committee – Councillor Taylor

12. (c)

Councillor Taylor reported that the Port Readiness Committee met June 18th. There had been a Familiarization Tour throughout the county. Also, there is a proposal for Kayaking tours and a Historical Treasure’s tour. Kenny & Sherri Taylor have put together tours of Shelburne harbour, they are progressing well and are very professional. Contact has been made with several bus companies to develop local tours, then once things get established we will have something to present to cruise ships.

In regards to the Fire Advisory Committee, Councillor Taylor stated that the Terms of Reference have been passed. The Dry Hydrants Committee has been established, consisting of Janet Taylor, Leo Williams and Dale Richardson. The budget items for the Council budget were discussed and it was explained to the members how it would more beneficial if they could be more strategic in their request to Council for additional funding and it was proposed that the departments start developing expense information and a long term strategic plan for financing that can be presented next year to Council. The Area Rate Policy and radio license fees were also discussed.

12. (d)

Councillor VanBuskirk stated that the Municipality’s RCMP Advisory Committee has met and are in the process of joining the units from eastern Shelburne County. There has been a resolution from all three units to do so. The draft By-law for the joint RCMP Advisory Board will be sent to all units. Roger Taylor has stepped down as a representative of this committee.

13. INFORMATION & OTHER REPORTS:

(a) Monthly Building Report – May, 2009

13. (a)

The Monthly Building Report for May, 2009 was reviewed by Council.

14. ADDED ITEMS:

None

15. “IN CAMERA” MOTIONS:

None

16. ADJOURNMENT:

Being duly moved and seconded, be it resolved that there being no further business, the meeting be adjourned at 5:55 pm.

-MOTION CARRIED