Municipal Council Minutes

Municipality of the District of DigbyMunicipal Committee of the Whole MinutesJanuary 11, 2011Seabrook, Nova Scotia1Call to OrderThe meeting was called to order with Warden Gregory in thechair at 6:01 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 SecretaryPrayerWarden Gregory asked everyone to pause to seek guidance forthe meeting.AgendaCouncillor Adams added New Years Levy as New Business #7.MOVED and seconded that the agenda be approved asamended.MOTION CARRIEDHearings & PresentationsGreg Roach, AssociateDeputy Minister Dept. of Fisheries and Aquaculture Councillor Gregory introduced Mr. Greg Roach, AssociateDeputy Minister from the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture who would be making a presentation. Also present to answer any questions that may arise were Mr. Marshall Giles, Director of Aquaculture, Dr. Toby Balch, Manager of Aquaculture Development, Dr. Roland Cusack,Fish Health Veterinarian, Chuck McKenna, Manager ofAquaculture Policy and Licensing, and Celeste Sullivan,Communications Director.
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Municipality of the District of DigbyMunicipal Committee of the Whole MinutesJanuary 11, 2011Seabrook, Nova Scotia2MOVED and seconded that Mr. Greg Roach, AssociateDeputy Minister from the Department of Fisheries andAquaculture come before the committee to make apresentation.MOTION CARRIED Mr. Roach began the presentation by outlining the varioustypes of aquaculture that are happening in Nova Scotia.The growth area that has been happening globally is fromfish farming, the wild fish have hit a plateau. Mr. Roachoutlined the governance that is in place, the value ofproduction in several provinces in Canada including NovaScotia, and outlined some important aquaculture facts. Amap was presented which showed a footprint of the areathat the cages occupy. It was noted that the cages actuallyonly occupy about 25 percent of the area that is leased.Opportunities were outlined associated with the fish farming industry. Mr. Roach also reviewed the applicationprocess.  A question and answer period followed the presentation.There was a question regarding the frequency of audits orinspections of the farms. It was noted that the farms aremonitored every year. Farmers are required to have a third party review done to be forwarded to the Department ofFisheries and Aquaculture. There was a question regardingthe regulations of fouling. The Department has workedwith fish farms to move locations if there were any issues.There is a fouling program in place in New Brunswick which has been the result of problems with fish healthissues. There isn’t a regulatory rule for how much fish areallowed in the cages. Marine visits are done monthly and there is a fish health checkup which is not a regulatoryfunction, but something that is done. Each site is differentbased on current and water temperature. The Westport sitehas been there 12 years without fouling. There was asample done in Westport last summer and there has been noindication of a problem. That site has been sampled since2004. There was a question regarding the number of jobsproduced in regards to the farms. Mr. Roach explained thatthere is a larger amount of jobs in areas that can supporttheir own processing plant. Councillor Tudor will forward
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Municipality of the District of DigbyMunicipal Committee of the Whole MinutesJanuary 11, 2011Seabrook, Nova Scotia3additional questions to the Department. Warden Gregory thanked everyone for coming and also introduced theCouncillors and staff representatives from the Town ofDigby as well as the representative from the RegionalDevelopment Authority. Recess There was a short recess before continuing with thebusiness.MinutesDecember 13, 2010MOVED and seconded that the minutes of December 13, 2010 be approved as circulated.MOTION CARRIEDBusiness Arising/OldBusiness#1 Street LightRequest – 38 Old Route # 217 Loop A request has been received to add a streetlight to 38 OldRoute #217 Loop which is the last pole on the road. Thisroad is a dead end road, and with no light at the end it posesa safety concern. The streetlight policy has been written forthe safety of pedestrians and traffic.MOVED and seconded that a streetlight be installed at 38Old Route #217 Loop Road. There was a concern that if a similar request comes inwhich was for a non-street lighting area that Council mayhave set a precedent by making this decision. It was notedthat this decision does not set a precedent.MOTION CARRIED#2 FCM Farewell to NS Breakfast The CAO outlined the different sponsorship levels for theFCM Farewell to NS Breakfast. MOVED and seconded that Council sponsor the FCMFarewell NS Breakfast at the bronze level.MOTION CARRIED
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Municipality of the District of DigbyMunicipal Committee of the Whole MinutesJanuary 11, 2011Seabrook, Nova Scotia4#3 Relocation of Land Registration Office –Letter of Responsefrom Minister Jennex An update was given in regards to a meeting that had takenplace to discuss the relocation of the Land Registration Office in Weymouth. One major concern that came up wasthe concern of employees being left alone. They had tried cross-training but that didn’t work out well.  It was mentioned that in Clare there are petitions in a number of businesses to save the Deeds Office inWeymouth. There were some petitions from Digby as welland they will be presented all at once in Halifax. WardenGregory stated that it was a positive meeting, but there wassome concern from Council that the decision has beenmade.Other BusinessArising NILDeputy WardenMacAlpine No Business ArisingCouncillor Amero No Business ArisingCouncillor Adams No Business ArisingCouncillor Tudor No Business ArisingWarden Gregory No Business ArisingNew Business#1 Brier Island Chamber of Commerce – Philip Halliday There was a discussion regarding the request from the BrierIsland Chamber of Commerce regarding the Philip Hallidaycase. Council stated that the case has not yet gone to courtand Council was concerned that Municipal governmentdoes not have a voice for international law. It wassuggested that Council could lobby the FederalGovernment.MOVED and seconded that the letter from Brier IslandChamber of Commerce be forwarded to Greg Kerr. A letter will also be sent to Brier Island Chamber of
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Municipality of the District of DigbyMunicipal Committee of the Whole MinutesJanuary 11, 2011Seabrook, Nova Scotia5Commerce stating that the letter has been sent on to Greg Kerr.MOTION CARRIED#2 Admiral DigbyLibrary & HistoricalSociety – FundingRequestMOVED and seconded that the funding request from theAdmiral Digby Library and Historical Society be referredto the budget process.MOTION CARRIED The budget and amount being requested will be obtained.#3 IslandsConsolidated School –Funding RequestMOVED and seconded that the funding request from Islands Consolidated School be referred to the budgetprocess.MOTION CARRIED Warden Gregory explained the budget process to CouncillorTudor. #4 Trinity Anglican Church – FundingRequest Deputy Warden MacAlpine declared a conflict of interest.MOVED and seconded that the funding request from theTrinity Anglican Church be referred to the budget process.MOTION CARRIED#5 Digby Pines -TenderMOVED and seconded that a letter be written to theProvince of Nova Scotia outlining Council’s concerns withthe threat of the Pines being disposed of by the Province. It should also be noted that it is very vital to continue to ownand operate this facility as it is an asset to tourism.MOTION CARRIED#6 Warden Gregory –E-Cards Guysborough County has been sending e-cards at Christmastime and sending the funds saved to the Food Bank. It wassuggested that Council do the same; however, possiblychange where the donation would go on a yearly basis. Oneconcern that was raised was whether this decision would
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Municipality of the District of DigbyMunicipal Committee of the Whole MinutesJanuary 11, 2011Seabrook, Nova Scotia6interfere with the local businesses. It was noted that thecards are not being purchased locally as they are pre-printed. Another suggestion was made to do the e-cardsand pass the savings on to the tax payers.  Council will decide every November prior to sending outthe e-cards where the money will be donated.MOVED and seconded that Council start sending e-cardsfor Christmas beginning in 2011.MOTION CARRIEDNew Years Levy It was noted that the Town of Digby has been doing a NewYears levy periodically. It was suggested that theMunicipality do it as well and possibly alternate with theTown every other year. MOVED and seconded that a letter be written to the Townof Digby asking if they would be interested in alternating every other year for a New Years Levy.MOTION CARRIEDTri-County SchoolBoard – Education Cuts It was mentioned that Tri-County Regional School Boardsent out a letter to all parents to see what cuts they could live with. A big cut will be coming over the next threeyears. It was noted that if they removed everything on thelist sent out to parents, they would not be able to achievethe 22 percent they are looking for.Chief AdministrativeReportMunicipal Office –Open HouseHerring WorkersProgramSigns – Transfer Station The CAO report dated January 10, 2011 was included in theCOTW Package. There will be an open house at the Municipal Office onFriday, January 14, 2011 from 1:00 to 3:00 pm. The Herring Workers Program was non-successful.  There was a concern with the signs that have been placed bythe transfer station. The signs have a picture only, and people may not know what they mean. It was suggested
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Municipality of the District of DigbyMunicipal Committee of the Whole MinutesJanuary 11, 2011Seabrook, Nova Scotia7that an article be placed in the Coastline with a picture ofthe signs and a description of what they mean.Request for Decisions/DirectionAppointment of CathyBarr as a MunicipalBuilding Inspector MOVED and seconded that Council appoint Cathy Barras a Municipal Building Inspector.MOTION CARRIEDDepartment ReportsTaxation The Taxation report for December 2010 was included in themeeting package. Building Inspection Report/Fire Inspection Report The Building Inspection report for December 2010 wasincluded in the meeting package. Airport/Dispatch The Airport/Dispatch report for December 2010 wasincluded in the meeting package. Dog Control Activityand Financial Report The Dog Control Activity and Financial report forDecember 2010 was included in the meeting package. Coordinator ProgramDevelopmentN/AOther BusinessN/AUpdates fromPrevious meetingsN/ASpecial ProjectsUpdatesN/AStrategic PrioritiesUpdateN/ANotice of MotionN/A
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Municipality of the District of DigbyMunicipal Committee of the Whole MinutesJanuary 11, 2011Seabrook, Nova Scotia8Comments from theGallery The meeting was opened up to the gallery for questions.There were no questions.In CameraMOVED and seconded that the meeting move in camera to discuss a contractual issue.MOTION CARRIEDRegular session resumed.AdjournmentMOVED and seconded that the meeting adjourn at 8:15PM. MOTION CARRIED____________________________________________________________WARDENCLERK

Municipal Council Agenda

Municipality of the District of DigbyCommittee of the WholeAgendaMeeting DateFebruary 14, 2011Meeting LocationCouncil ChambersCall to OrderWarden Pause to Seek GuidanceWardenApproval of the Agenda Additions/DeletionsPresentationsApproval of Minutes January 11, 2011Old Business /Business Arising from Minutes# 1.0# 2.0# 3.0Deputy Warden MacAlpineCouncillor AmeroCouncillor AdamsCouncillor TudorWarden Gregory
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Municipality of the District of DigbyCommittee of the WholeAgendaNew Business#1Tri County Regional Science Fair – March30, 2011 Funding Request#2Women In LocalGovernment BursaryProgram Funding Request#3James Hazelton Letter of Support#4Southwest Nova Biosphere ReserveAssociation Funding Request#5Deputy WardenMacAlpine Flight of Fancy#6Southwest African Heritage Month CommitteeSouthwest African Heritage Month Dinner& Dance Gala Feb 26th$ 160.00 table of8 #7Councillor TudorJoshua Slocum Monument on BrierIsland – Repairs#8Councillor TudorRequest for Free Ferry Usage for RetiredFerry Employees#9Councillor TudorSandy Cove School - FencingCorrespondence ReceivedInformation Only# 1 Buy Back NS Update# 2Councillor Jean Brittain  Medical Students visit# 3Career & Options Fair February 16, 2011
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Municipality of the District of DigbyCommittee of the WholeAgenda#4Chief AdministrativeReport February 14, 2011Request for Decisions/DirectionMeeting Dates/RemindersDate & TimeMeetingLocationFeb 21, 2011No MeetingFeb 28, 2011CouncilCouncil ChambersMarch 7, 2011By-law & PolicyMunicipal BoardroomMarch 14, 2011COTWCouncil ChambersDepartment Reports for January 2011 Administration Taxation Building Department Building Permit Municipal Fire Inspector Airport/Dispatch Dispatch Call Report Airport Statistical  Dog Control Activity Dog Control Financial Coordinator Program DevelopmentUpdates from PreviousmeetingsSpecial ProjectsUpdatesStrategic PrioritiesUpdateNotice of Motion
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Municipality of the District of DigbyCommittee of the WholeAgendaIn-Camera Contractual IssueAdjournment

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