Municipal Council Minutes

Municipality of the District of DigbyMunicipal Committee of the Whole MinutesSeptember 13, 2010North Range, Nova Scotia1Call to OrderThe meeting was called to order with Deputy Warden MacAlpine in the chair at 6:00 pm.AttendanceCouncillors present: Jimmy MacAlpine, Deputy Warden Linda Gregory, Councillor Randall Amero, Councillor Maritza Adams, CouncillorStaff present: Linda Fraser, Chief Administrative Officer Gordon Wilson, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Cora Lee Bremner, Executive SecretaryPrayerDeputy Warden MacAlpine asked everyone to pause to seekguidance for the meeting and requested that everyone keep in mind the people missing on the scallop dragger. AgendaMOVED and seconded that the agenda be approved ascirculated.MOTION CARRIEDHearings & PresentationsSean Fredericks & Niki Lewis – Keith Trimper MemorialPlaygroundMOVED and seconded that Mr. Sean Fredericks and Ms.Niki Lewis come before the committee to make a presentation on the Keith Trimper Memorial Playground.MOTION CARRIED Mr. Fredericks and Ms. Lewis made a presentation to theCommittee regarding the replacement of the DigbyElementary School’s playground which is twenty-four yearsold and has been deemed unsafe. A committee has beenformed in an effort to make this project happen. Thecommittee has gone into the community to get grants and funding. “Let Them Be Kids” have agreed to fund half of the equipment cost for this project. The committee’s goalsare to promote and encourage community involvement,provide areas for school and community use, provide a safe
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Municipality of the District of DigbyMunicipal Committee of the Whole MinutesSeptember 13, 2010North Range, Nova Scotia2play space for students as well as various other projects. Itwas noted that the project includes the installation of a pieceof equipment for disabled students. The project cost is$130,000. The committee is seeking funding from theMunicipality. A question and answer period followed thepresentation. The group would like to get a response fromCouncil as soon as possible as the build day is scheduled totake place on September 25, 2010. A copy of thepresentation as well as the project budget was requested byCouncil. Deputy Warden MacAlpine thanked them for thepresentation.MinutesJuly 12, 2010It was noted that Noise email should be replaced with NoiseBylaw in the agenda section of the July 12, 2010 minutes.MOVED and seconded that the minutes of July 12, 2010 beapproved as amended.MOTION CARRIEDBusiness Arising/OldBusinessTransportation Study –NS Transit Research Incentive Program(TRIP) – JointApplication Update There was a discussion on the Transportation Study, NSTransit Research Incentive Program. It was noted that jointapplications were encouraged. Council had originallydiscussed applying jointly with the Municipality ofAnnapolis, Town of Digby and the Municipality of Clare.There was some concern that all of these units may not beinterested in participating. Council expressed their interestto go forward even if only the Municipality and Town of Digby are interested. The deadline for applications isSeptember 22, 2010.Other BusinessArising NILDeputy WardenMacAlpine No Business Arising
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Municipality of the District of DigbyMunicipal Committee of the Whole MinutesSeptember 13, 2010North Range, Nova Scotia3Councillor Gregory -Conway – Highway303 expansion Councillor Gregory mentioned that residents in Conway areinquiring whether the Department of Transportation wouldbe able to further expand the lanes in Conway in the futureand take more of their land. It was advised to direct them toBasil Pitts, Department of Transportation.Councillor Amero No Business ArisingCouncillor Adams No Business ArisingNew Business#1 West Nova Agro –Letter of SupportMOVED and seconded that a letter be sent in support of thebusiness development proposal for West Nova Agro. It was noted that the CAO should note in the letter that theMunicipality is interested in promoting renewable energyopportunities.MOTION CARRIED#2 Team Weymouth –Funding Request -$5,000 Team Weymouth and the Weymouth WaterfrontDevelopment Committee have recently become successfulin securing funding to complete phase II of the WaterfrontDevelopment. They have recognized that a number ofthings have to happen along with phase II, one being thehiring of a consultant with the aim to find ways to attractforeign direct investments. Team Weymouth is requesting$5,000 from Council to move forward with this project.There was a short discussion of Council and it was agreedthat the CAO will follow up with ADEDA to find out if Team Weymouth is working with them to make thishappen. This request will was referred to the next councilmeeting. It was also suggested that Team Weymouth beinvited to the next Council meeting which is scheduled inWeymouth to make a presentation. # 3 Fall for Bear River – Funding Request -$500 A funding request has been received from the organizing committee for the Fall for Bear River festival in the amountof $500.  The Community grants account has $4,600 remaining forthis fiscal year and there are two other requests yet to be
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Municipality of the District of DigbyMunicipal Committee of the Whole MinutesSeptember 13, 2010North Range, Nova Scotia4considered.MOVED and seconded that Council approve the fundingrequest for the Fall for Bear River festival in the amount of$500. MOTION CARRIEDCorrespondenceMinister of Health –Palliative CareServices It was noted that correspondence from the Minister ofHealth regarding palliative care services was not included inthe package. This information will be forwarded rightaway.Chief AdministrativeReportMaud Lewis Site –SignageMunicipal Building –RenovationsNovember MeetingDatesCrosswalks – Highway303 The CAO report dated September, 2010 was included in theCOTW Package. Councillor Adams brought up that the sign has been placedfor the Maud Lewis site. It was noted that Councilmisunderstood what type of sign was being installed.  Deputy Warden MacAlpine noted that there is a lot of workbeing done on the Municipal building. The project isestimated to be completed by January. The CAO noted thatthe heating proposal is in and is on budget. It was decided by Council to hold a special Council sessionon November 8, 2010 for the swearing in ceremony for thenew Councillor in District 4. This will be followed by aCOTW meeting. These meetings will be scheduled at theLittle River Baptist Church Hall at 6 pm. The Councilmeeting for November will be held on November, 22, 2010at the Barton School at 6 pm. The COTW meeting forDecember 13, 2010 will be held at the United BaptistChurch Hall in Acaciaville at 6 pm. It was noted that the Department of Transportation does notfund crosswalks, but will install them for municipalitiesupon their approval. Council would like to have crosswalksadded on Highway 303. The CAO will add this to theagenda for the next meeting with Transportation.
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Municipality of the District of DigbyMunicipal Committee of the Whole MinutesSeptember 13, 2010North Range, Nova Scotia5Request for Decisions/Direction NILDepartment ReportsTaxation The Taxation report for both July and August 2010 wereincluded in the meeting package. Building Inspection Report/Fire Inspection Report The Building Inspection report for both July and August2010 were included in the meeting package. It was noted that permits were up over the last year.Airport/Dispatch The Airport/Dispatch report for both July and August 2010were included in the meeting package. It was noted that it was good to see that the surveillance equipment has beeninstalled at the Airport.Dog Control Activityand Financial Report The Dog Control Activity and Financial report for both Julyand August 2010 were included in the meeting package. Coordinator ProgramDevelopment The Coordinator Program Development report for July 9 to August 12, 2010 was included in the meeting package.Other BusinessN/AUpdates fromPrevious meetingsN/ASpecial ProjectsUpdatesN/AStrategic PrioritiesUpdateThe Strategic Priorities update was not available.Notice of MotionN/AComments from theGalleryNIL
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Municipality of the District of DigbyMunicipal Committee of the Whole MinutesSeptember 13, 2010North Range, Nova Scotia6AdjournmentMOVED and seconded that the meeting adjourn at 7:31PM. MOTION CARRIED____________________________________________________________WARDENCLERK