A meeting of Victoria County Municipal Council was held at the Court House, Baddeck, on Monday, April 9, 2001, beginning at 5:30 p.m. with Warden Gerald Sampson in the Chair.

 Present were:

District #1 – Dan E. MacNeil
District #2 – Shane Toms
District #3 – Bruce Morrison, Deputy Warden
District #4 – John Graham MacInnes
District #5 – Gerald Sampson, Warden
District #6 – Lawrence Barron
District #7 – Wayne Budge
District #8 – Robert MacLellan

 Also present were:

Brian Trask, CAO
Heather MacLean, Recording Secretary

CALL TO ORDER/AGENDA

 Warden Sampson called the meeting to order.  The agenda was reviewed.

 It was moved by Deputy Warden Morrison, seconded by Councillor MacInnes, that the agenda be approved as presented.  Motion carried.

IN CAMERA

 Warden Sampson advised that Council would move In Camera for discussion on banking proposals.

 Prior to moving In Camera, Councillor MacNeil declared a conflict, as his wife is an employee of the Royal Bank, Baddeck.  He left the meeting at this time.

 Council returned to regular session.

TIME FOR ADJOURNMENT

 The time for adjournment was set at 7:00 p.m.

150TH ANNIVERSARY OF VICTORIA COUNTY – VINCE MACLEAN
Page 2, VICTORIA COUNTY MUNICIPAL COUNCIL, April 9, 2001
 

 Courtesy of Council was extended to Vince MacLean who was in attendance concerning the 150th Anniversary of Victoria County.

 Mr. MacLean indicated that he felt one way to observe the 150th Anniversary would be to undertake a project to preserve the records of the Municipality.  He presented Council with some ideas and contacts that could be of assistance in regard to such an undertaking.

 The possibility of forming a Committee to deal with this matter was discussed.  It was felt that prior to forming a Committee, the structure and objective of this Committee should be determined.  After this is determined expressions of interest for membership on this Committee will be requested.

 The topic of the 150th Anniversary is to be placed on the agenda for the next Council Session.

MINUTES

 The minutes of the March 26, 2001, meeting of Victoria County Municipal Council were presented for approval.

 It was moved by Councillor Barron, seconded by Councillor MacInnes, that the March 26, 2001, Council minutes be approved as presented.  Motion carried.

BUSINESS ARISING FROM MINUTES

Grants & Contributions Policy

 It was moved by Councillor Barron, seconded by Councillor Toms, that the recommendation of the Corporate Services Committee to approve the Grants & Contributions Policy and application form be accepted.   Motion carried.

· Art Pickup is out of town on vacation until April 16, 2001.

· The amendment to the infrastructure application for the Baddeck Sewer System has been forwarded to Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations.

· The deed for the Bucklaw properties has been signed and will be recorded and forwarded to Mr. Gillis tomorrow.  Mr. Gillis has indicated that he has no problem with William MacPhail accessing the water source over his property.
 
 

Page 3, VICTORIA COUNTY MUNICPAL COUNCIL, April 9, 2001
 

· Bill MacDonald has requested time on the Council agenda to make a presentation regarding the oyster fishery.   Mr. MacDonald will be invited to attend the next Council meeting.

· The oil containment boom kits have been obtained for the harbours in northern Victoria.  Gary Collins is the contact for harbours requesting information on these kits.

CORRESPONDENCE

1. Letter from Louis Digout, CAO, Municipality of the County of Richmond, requesting dates for the Regional UNSM meeting.

Council felt early June would be an appropriate time for this meeting.

2. Letter from the Honourable Angus MacIsaac, Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations, concerning the Ottawa Brook/MacKinnon Harbour Water Commission.

Councillor MacNeil will forward a copy of this letter to Pauline Campbell, Chairperson of the Water Committee.  Warden Sampson advised that he was contacted by Neil MacNeil in this regard also.

3. Correspondence from Charles MacDonald, P. Eng., Department of Transportation and Public Works, advising that the request to change the name of the “Old Margaree Road” to the “Old Cabot Trail Road” has been rejected.

4. Copy of a letter forwarded to the Honourable David Morse, Minister of the Environment, from Anna Allen, President of the UNSM, protesting plans to amend the RRFB agreement to allow for 10% of the net revenues of the RRFB to be retained by the Department of the Environment.

5. Letter from the Honourable David Morse, Minister of the Environment, concerning the baling of recyclables on site at the Neil’s Harbour/New Haven Enviro-Depot and advising that he is willing to meet with Council again.

6. Letter from Mark Eyking, MP – Sydney-Victoria, concerning Josie’s Lane, Dingwall.

This letter will be acknowledged as received and filed.
 

Page 4, VICTORIA COUNTY MUNICIPAL COUNCIL, April 9, 2001
 

7. Reply from John Morgan, Mayor of the CBRM, advising that due to budget meetings, he will be unable to attend the April 24, 2001, meeting of Mayors, Wardens and Chiefs, concerning the environmental protection of the Bras d’Or Lakes.

Warden Sampson will contact Mayor Morgan tomorrow in this regard.

8. Request from UCCB for the Municipality to sponsor a representative to attend a CED forum at the Coast Guard College from August 20-24, 2001, at a cost of $1,437.50.  Also attached was an invitation from New Dawn Enterprises.

These requests are to be forwarded to the Victoria County Community Economic Development Committee.

GARY COLLINS, EMC

 Courtesy of Council was extended to Gary Collins, Emergency Measures Coordinator.

 Mr. Collins indicated that he received a fax for EMO Nova Scotia concerning the fact that there is 7 to 12 feet of snow in the Highland area and should there be a quick melt; there is a possibility of flooding in various areas of the County.  He indicated that he would like to meet with Councillors in the areas that may be affected to discuss plans in the event of such an occurrence.

 Mr. Collins also brought up the matter of the Middle River Bridge.  A fax was received indicating that the Department of Transportation and Public Works will not be spending the $500,000 required to replace this bridge.

 There will be a community meeting held concerning the bridge on Wednesday.  There are a number of concerns such as safety, fire safety and the fact that businesses in the area are being adversely affected.  The community will be requesting the Municipality to support them in their efforts to have this bridge replaced.

CHIEF FIRE OFFICERS

 Invoices approved for payment were received from the Chief Fire Officers for the following:

· Iona Volunteer Fire Department - $2,415.00
· Neil’s Harbour/New Haven Volunteer Fire Department - $3,098.11 ($2,500 approved for payment)

Page 5, VICTORIA COUNTY MUNICIPAL COUNCIL, April 9, 2001
 

 A request was received from the Chief Fire Officers concerning the two air compressors in the County, one North of Smokey and one South of Smokey.  They are requesting that a cylinder charging panel be installed on each unit (wall mounted).  The built-in gas flow restrictor limits fills to 300-600 psi/minute and this will enhance the safety of those filling the tanks.  The cost of the panels is $1,550.00 each, for a total of $3,100.00.

 It was moved by Councillor MacInnes, seconded by Deputy Warden Morrison, that the two cylinder charging panels be purchased at a cost of $3,100.00 from the emergency fund.  Motion carried.

UNSM SPRING WORKSHOP

 The UNSM Spring Workshop will be held at the Wandlyn Inn, Amherst, on April 19-20, 2001.   There will be no representatives attending from Victoria County.

NEW BUSINESS

IT Conference

 Warden Sampson reported on the IT Conference held at the Gaelic College on the past weekend.

 It was indicated that Tom Wilson deserves a large amount of the credit for this conference and Warden Sampson indicated that he made mention of this fact in his opening remarks at the conference.

Proposed Mussel Farm

 Warden Sampson indicated that he met with Cecil Clarke, Alfie MacLeod, representatives from Bounty Bay and 5M Aqua Farms, and RDA representatives concerning the proposed mussel farm.  He indicated that the meeting was a very informative and positive meeting.  The results of the Environmental Assessment are available today.

Meeting – National Park

 Councillor Barron indicated that he, along with Councillor Budge and Councillor MacLellan met with Tim Reynolds, Cape Breton Highlands-National Park.  One of the topics discussed was whether the National Park would be interested in hooking into a water system if installed in Ingonish Beach and Mr. Reynolds requested that when the feasibility study is done, that the cost of servicing the Park be investigated.

Page 6, VICTORIA COUNTY MUNICIPAL COUNCIL, April 9, 2001

 Councillor Barron indicated that a letter was received from the Green Municipal Enabling Fund that the application for funding a study for the Ingonish Beach Water System has been rejected, therefore; Councillor Barron indicated he would be asking the County to fund the study at a future Council meeting.

 Councillor Budge indicated that they also talked about the new federal building to be built in Ingonish and the possibility of including office space and space suitable for Court facilities in the building.

 Brian Trask advised that he is still awaiting a reply from Bill Clancey, Department of Justice and Attorney General, concerning a follow up meeting concerning Court Sittings in Ingonish.

DISTRICT CONCERNS

District #1

 Councillor MacNeil reported on the meeting regarding the MacKinnon’s Harbour Watershed held on April 4, 2001.  He indicated that he would be having another meeting on April 18, 2001, and requested that Josephine MacNeil be made available to take minutes of this meeting also.  This will be the last meeting a secretary will be required for, as it is hoped that a new organization will be formed which will assume responsibility for this matter.

District #2

 It was moved by Councillor Toms, seconded by Deputy Warden Morrison, that a letter be forwarded to the Honourable Ronald Russell, Minister of Transportation and Public Works, concerning the position his department has taken with regard to the Middle River Bridge, indicating that Council and the residents feel the government’s position is totally unacceptable and request that the bridge be replaced.  Motion carried.

 Councillor Toms requested that Warden Sampson attend the Community Meeting in Middle River on Wednesday, April 11, 2001, concerning the bridge.  Warden Sampson indicated he would be in Halifax attending a Building Code Advisory Committee meeting, however; Deputy Warden Morrison will attend.

District #3

 Deputy Warden Morrison requested that a Certificate of Appreciation be forwarded to Philip MacRae, former Deputy Chief of the Baddeck Volunteer Fire Department, for his exemplary service to the Village of Baddeck during his tenure as Deputy Chief.
Page 7, VICTORIA COUNTY MUNICIPAL COUNCIL, April 9, 2001
 

 Deputy Warden Morrison indicated that the existing playground equipment at Baddeck Academy has been condemned and the fundraising efforts of the Baddeck Playground Committee have realized $22,000.  The total cost of the new playground equipment is $30,000 – leaving a balance of $8,000 remaining.  He is requesting that the remaining $8,000 be forwarded to budget talks for consideration.

 It was moved by Deputy Warden Morrison, seconded by Councillor MacInnes, that funding for the Baddeck Playground Committee be forwarded to budget talks for consideration.  Motion carried.

 Deputy Warden Morrison presented a resume for student summer employment should any positions become available through the Municipality.

District #8

 Councillor MacLellan brought up a concern regarding ambulance services North of Smokey.

 It was moved by Councillor Barron, seconded by Councillor MacInnes, that a letter be forwarded to Holland College outlining our concerns regarding inadequate ambulance services in northern Victoria County, requesting that they make spaces available in their Emergency Medical Technician training program for residents from the northern Victoria County area willing to train as EMT’s.   Motion carried.

 It was moved by Councillor MacLellan, seconded by Councillor Barron, that a letter be forwarded to Emergency Medical Services questioning on their plans for the provision of ambulance services in northern Victoria County.   Motion carried.

ADJOURN

 There being no further business, on motion of Councillor Toms, seconded by Councillor Barron, the meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m.