A meeting of Victoria County Municipal Council was held at the Court House, Baddeck, on Monday, April 27, 1998, beginning at 5:30 p.m.

Present were:

District #1 - Gerald Yetman

District #2 - Shane Toms, Deputy Warden

District #3 - Bruce Morrison

District #4 - John Graham MacInnes, Warden

District #5 - Gerald Yetman

District #6 - Lawrence Barron

District #7 - David Donovan

District #8 - Robert MacLellan

Also present were:

Brian Trask, CAO

Heather MacLean, Recording Secretary

Warden MacInnes called the meeting to order.

The agenda was presented and it was indicated that there was one change to be made. The North of Smokey Action Committee for Peoples Rights scheduled to appear this evening are unable to attend.

It was moved by Councillor Barron, seconded by Councillor Yetman, that the agenda be accepted as proposed and the time to adjourn be set at 8:00 p.m. Motion carried.

Solicitor Arthur Pickup was in attendance. Council then moved to In Camera.

After completing discussions with the Solicitor, Council returned to regular session.

Courtesy of Council was extended to James Bridgland and Tammy MacLellan. Mr. Bridgland outlined the Victoria County Coastal Resources Mapping Project to Council.

This project was initiated by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans to identify stock distribution and infrastructure related to fisheries. The Victoria County project is one of more than a dozen around the province.

The work commenced on this project in 1996, when the Strait-Highlands Regional Development Agency, ECBC, and HRDC provided funding to hire a number of people for 14 to 16 weeks. It is now at the point where custom maps can be map on computer for any part of the County and there are a number of copies of an atlas available of the County. These maps contain information on the areas and it is felt that can be a useful resource to the tourist industry. The maps can be customized to suit the purpose of the client requesting the map.

Mr. Bridgland advised that an application has been submitted to extend the project to hire one or two full-time workers for a period of one year. Mr. Bridgland indicated that the development of a business and marketing plan is a major goal, as well as getting this information into the schools, with the possibility of incorporating same into curriculum.

Mr. Bridgland indicated that at some future time, a letter of endorsement may be requested from the Municipality. He also requested advice from Council as to where to locate the large paper atlas’.

Mr. Bridgland advised that a computer was set up in the Board Room where Council Members could view the coastal mapping project and its capabilities.

Mr. Bridgland was extended a vote of thanks for his report and Warden MacInnes advised that Council would break to view the coastal mapping display in the Board Room.

Council reconvened.

Courtesy of Council was extended to Tom Wilson, Director of Recreation and Tourism.

Mr. Wilson advised that the Victoria County Tourism Development Committee recently became a cohesive unit a couple of weeks ago and in attendance this evening were Warren Janes, Chair; Gregg Ross, Secretary and Bruce MacNeil, Board Member.

Mr. Janes advised that the executive of the Victoria County Tourism Development Committee has been selected on an interim basis and will be in effect until elections in November, 1998.

Mr. Ross presented Council with an overview of the Committee. The Committee is an ad hoc committee made up of representatives from existing tourism organizations throughout the County. It is felt that the development of this committee is an excellent opportunity to come together and develop common and worthwhile directions as it pertains to tourism and development.

Mr. MacNeil advised that along with the three representatives from the Committee making a presentation this evening, all members of the committee are in favor of the approach outlined and he felt that by keeping the lines of communication open, good things can be accomplished.

Mr. Ross was excused at this time.

Mr. Janes, along with Tom Wilson, presented the proposed 1998/99 Victoria County Tourism Development budget (copy attached). The items on the budget were reviewed individually and discussion took place.

Mr. Janes and Mr. MacNeil were excused at this time.

Tom Wilson then proceeded with an overhead presentation of his year end report on recreation, tourism, and heritage (copy attached). Mr. Wilson indicated he would provide Council with a handout of this information for the next meeting.

Mr. Wilson was excused at this time.

Brian Trask advised that in November, 1997, URB approval was received for an extension to the Little Narrows Water System to service 3 additional homes.

Page 4, VICTORIA COUNTY MUNICIPAL COUNCIL, April 27, 1998

The funding approval was $24,000 - $12,000 Infrastructure funding and $12,000 Little Narrows Water.

Tenders were invited from 5 contracting firms. Four tenders were received and opened on April 17, 1998. They were as follows:

D. W. Matheson & Sons Contracting Ltd. $52,974.00

Riverside Developments Ltd. $54,855.12

Coastal Construction Ltd. $56,884.75

Doug Burns Excavating Contracting Ltd. $43,337.75

It was moved by Councillor Yetman, seconded by Councillor Morrison, that the tender results be received, lay on the table and application be made for additional funding under the Canada/Nova Scotia Infrastructure Works Program. Motion carried.

The minutes of the April 9, 1998, and April 21, 1998, Special Committee meetings were presented for approval.

The April 9, 1998, minutes were reviewed and Councillor Yetman indicated that the information given to Council at this meeting concerning the expansion of fish farming at Dino’s Pond should be dealt with.

It was moved by Councillor Yetman, seconded by Deputy Warden Toms, that the minutes of the April 9, 1998, Special Committee meeting be approved and the item on the table concerning fish farming be put on the agenda for the next meeting. Motion carried.

The minutes of the April 21, 1998, meeting were reviewed. Deputy Warden Toms questioned on the tax collection report and steps which will be taken to collect outstanding taxes.

It was moved by Councillor Morrison, seconded by Councillor Sampson, that before making a final decision on our involvement in the Strait-Highlands Regional Development Agency, an invitation be extended to Catherine Ann Fuller to attend our next Committee of the Whole meeting. Motion carried.

It was moved by Councillor Barron, seconded by Councillor Sampson, that the April 21, 1998, Special Committee minutes be approved. Motion carried.

As the time set to adjourn was 8:00 p.m., Warden MacInnes advised that the meeting stood adjourned.

John Graham MacInnes, Warden

B. E. Trask, CAO