Digby Municipal Council Minutes

Municipality of the District of DigbyMunicipal Committee of the Whole Minutes

November 8, 2010Tiverton, Nova Scotia

1Call to OrderThe meeting was called to order with Warden Gregory in thechair at 6:15 pm.AttendanceCouncillors present: Linda Gregory, Warden Jimmy MacAlpine, Deputy Warden Randall Amero, Councillor Maritza Adams, Councillor David Tudor, CouncillorStaff present: Linda Fraser, Chief Administrative Officer Gordon Wilson, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Cora Lee Bremner, Executive SecretaryAgendaMOVED and seconded that the agenda be approved asdistributed.MOTION CARRIEDHearings & PresentationsSave Our Bay – Dr. Guy MelvilleMOVED and seconded that Dr. Guy Melville come beforethe committee to make a presentation on Save Our Bay.MOTION CARRIED Mr. Sheldon Dixon began the presentation by giving an update regarding the desire of Cooks Agriculture to put twonew fish farms in on the Islands. They would like to put intwo more sites which would cover 208 acres. This is a concern to the local lobster fisherman as this is where theycurrently fish. The local fishermen are also concerned withthe pollution that the fish farms are producing.  Dr. Melville demonstrated what the bottom of the oceanlooks like next to the fish farm in Westport. He isconcerned with the diseases that will spread to the sea lifethat is being harvested in this area.  There was a question and answer period following thepresentation. It was brought up that the technology was out
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Municipality of the District of DigbyMunicipal Committee of the Whole MinutesNovember 8, 2010Tiverton, Nova Scotia2there to have the fish farms on land. The tracking of lobsters is coming which will enable the seller to trackwhere the lobsters are coming from that are not fit toconsume.  Warden Gregory thanked them for their presentation andnoted that this topic will be discussed at the next meeting. MinutesOctober 12, 2010It was noted that under New Business #3, it should read Loop ofthe Old 217, not Culloden Road.MOVED and seconded that the minutes of October 12, 2010be approved as amended.MOTION CARRIED

Business Arising/OldBusiness#1 County of Annapolis – Requestfor FundingMOVED and seconded that the Municipality of Digbyprovide funding for the YMCA in the amount of $100,000over the next four years which would be $25,000 per year.  It was noted that this would begin in the 2011/2012 budget. It would be budgeted for in either the grants toorganizations or economic development accounts. It was mentioned that the Kings Transit board feels that thedecline in numbers for the Weymouth to Cornwallis routecould be due to the closure of Lifeplex. It appears that thedecline dates back to that time period. It was discussed whether the project will move forwardwith the funding from the Municipality of Digby. Thepresentation indicated that they would do a communitydrive for the rest of the funding. It was mentioned that recreation is a vital part of anycommunity. There was a concern that they would come back to get morefunding at a later date. It was noted that it was made clearat the presentation that this was a capital request only.MOTION CARRIED
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Municipality of the District of DigbyMunicipal Committee of the Whole MinutesNovember 8, 2010Tiverton, Nova Scotia3#2 Dr. Bob Mahar –Request for Funding It was agreed by Council to send a letter to Dr. Mahar stating that Council is not interested in pursuing this project.#3 Digby Ground Search & Rescue –Request for Funding There was a discussion regarding the funding request fromthe Digby Ground Search and Rescue. Council alsodiscussed the Ground Search and Rescue located on theIslands, who do work with Digby on occasion. This group has recently moved into a cube van. Digby Ground Search and Rescue are looking to purchase a new vehicle. MOVED and seconded that the request for funding from Digby Ground Search and Rescue be tabled until the nextCouncil meeting so that Council can obtain moreinformation.MOTION CARRIED

#4 TLC AnimalShelter – Request for Funding There was a discussion regarding the possibility of putting aprogram into place where the Municipality would charge afee for a dog license, which would be forwarded to the TLCAnimal Shelter. It was noted that some municipalities havethis program in place. There would have to be changesimplemented to the bylaw first in order to accommodate afee for dog tags. There were concerns raised with the amount of moneybeing sought by the TLC Animal Shelter. Another concernraised was the practice they have in place of getting petsinto homes.MOVED and seconded that Council provide funding to TLC Animal Shelter in the amount of $8,000 to carry themover the winter.  There was a discussion regarding where the funds wouldcome from as the grants to organizations budget has been fully utilized.  It was agreed by the mover and seconder to amend themotion as follows:
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Municipality of the District of DigbyMunicipal Committee of the Whole MinutesNovember 8, 2010Tiverton, Nova Scotia4MOVED and seconded that Council provide funding to TLC Animal Shelter in the amount of $8,000 that wouldcome from future revenue received from Dog Licenses afterthe Dog Control Bylaw has been amended. MOTION CARRIED1-OPPOSEDOther BusinessArising NILDeputy WardenMacAlpine No Business ArisingCouncillor Gregory No Business ArisingCouncillor Amero No Business ArisingCouncillor Adams No Business ArisingNew Business#1 Province of NovaScotia – HerringWorkers ProgramAgreementMOVED and seconded that the Herring Workers ProgramAgreement that way brought forward to Council be signed.There was a short discussion on how the decisions get made inregards to this agreement. The Province of Nova Scotia willmake those decisions. There are only two people in this areathat don’t have enough stamps.MOTION CARRIED#2 Councillor Tudor –Alders – Little River to Whale Cove & LongIsland Councillor Tudor brought forward several letters of concernregarding the alders from Little River to Whale Cove and on Long Island. It has been four years since the alders havebeen cut. Councillor Tudor has brought this concern to theDepartment of Transportation, and Mr. Foote indicated thatno work will be done unless he receives a number ofcomplaints from the citizens in these areas.
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Municipality of the District of DigbyMunicipal Committee of the Whole MinutesNovember 8, 2010Tiverton, Nova Scotia5MOVED and seconded that a letter be sent along with theletters of concern received to the Department ofTransportation expressing Councillor Tudors concernsregarding alders from Little River to Whale Cove and onLong Island.MOTION CARRIED# 3 Weymouth WaterfrontDevelopmentCommittee – Requestfor Donation of Old Weymouth LibraryBuildingMOVED and seconded that the Municipality of Digbydonate the old library building to the WeymouthWaterfront Development Committee. MOTION CARRIEDThe Weymouth Waterfront Development Committee has alsoasked for a tax exemption for the property. This can take placeafter they take ownership of the property. The Tax ExemptionBylaw will have to be amended to grant this request.Chief AdministrativeReport The CAO report dated November 8, 2010 was included in the COTW Package. Annapolis County has been successful in getting $50,000 funding and they are currently in the process of getting aconsultant for a transportation study.  The By-law and Policy meeting scheduled for November15, 2010 will be held upstairs at the Arena.Request for Decisions/Direction NILDepartment ReportsTaxation The Taxation report for October 2010 was included in themeeting package.  Warden Gregory noted that she was pleased that Mrs. Bremner and Mrs. Turner were able to attend the AMTC Fall Conference.Building Inspection Report/Fire Inspection Report The Building Inspection report for October 2010 wasincluded in the meeting package.
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Municipality of the District of DigbyMunicipal Committee of the Whole MinutesNovember 8, 2010Tiverton, Nova Scotia6Airport/Dispatch The Airport/Dispatch report for October 2010 was includedin the meeting package. There is a new format for theAirport/Dispatch reports which is easier to read.Dog Control Activityand Financial Report The Dog Control Activity and Financial report for October2010 was included in the meeting package. Coordinator ProgramDevelopment The Coordinator Program Development report for October8 to November 8, 2010 was included in the meetingpackage.Other BusinessN/AUpdates fromPrevious meetingsN/ASpecial ProjectsUpdatesN/AStrategic PrioritiesUpdate The strategic priority update for October 31, 2010 wasincluded in the meeting package.Notice of MotionN/AComments from theGallery Mr. Dixon advised Council that Dr. Melville has asubmission to Government that they would like Council tosign their names to.In CameraMOVED and seconded that the committee go in camera to discuss a contractual issue.MOTION CARRIEDRegular session resumed.
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Municipality of the District of DigbyMunicipal Committee of the Whole MinutesNovember 8, 2010Tiverton, Nova Scotia7AdjournmentMOVED and seconded that the meeting adjourn at 7:43PM. MOTION CARRIED____________________________________________________________WARDENCLERK