A meeting of Victoria County Municipal Council was held at the Court House, Baddeck, on Monday, September 18, 2000, beginning at 5:00 p.m. with Warden John Graham MacInnes in the Chair.
Present were:
District #1 – Gerald Yetman, Deputy Warden
District #2 – Shane Toms (Late Arrival)
District #3 – Bruce Morrison
District #4 – John Graham MacInnes, Warden
District #5 – Gerald Sampson
District #6 – Lawrence Barron
District #7 – David Donovan
District #8 – Robert MacLellan
Also present was:
Heather MacLean, Recording Secretary
CALL TO ORDER
Warden MacInnes called the meeting to order. Nominations for the upcoming municipal and school board election were accepted until 5:00 p.m. today, with 6 Council seats being contested and 2 acclamations (Warden MacInnes and Councillor Sampson). Warden MacInnes wished all the re-offering Councillors best of luck at the polls on October 21, 2000.
AGENDA
The agenda was presented for approval. Deputy Warden Yetman requested that a discussion on the Baddeck Sewer System be added to the agenda.
It was moved by Councillor Sampson, seconded by Deputy Warden Yetman, that the agenda be approved with the noted addition. Motion carried.
RESIDENT POLICING POLICY
Courtesy of Council was extended to Sgt. A. A. (Hoss) MacKenzie. Sgt. MacKenzie indicated that he had with him this evening, Staff Sgt. MacDonald, Northeast Nova, and Brian Peacock, Property Management Services in Halifax.
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Sgt. MacKenzie began by wishing Councillors the best of luck in the October 21, 2000, municipal election.
The reason for his attendance at today’s meeting was concerning the Community Policing Officer in the Boularderie area. A Community Policing Office has been established at the Boularderie School. It is the desire to locate a RCMP member as a resident of the Boularderie area. This member would work out of the Baddeck Detachment.
Sgt. MacKenzie advised that on April 1, 2000, the policy regarding a residence for RCMP members changed. It is now the responsibility of the County wishing to have the officer to provide the residence.
Mr. Peacock advised that there was an increased demand to provide residential policing and the RCMP could no longer afford to buy residences for all the requests. This was the reason for the policy change. The Municipality may buy/build or rent a home that in turn the RCMP will lease for their member. Mr. Peacock indicated that they would look at any option.
Councillor Sampson indicated that there is a home available in the area and he has spoke with the owners in regard to renting same. It was felt it should be open to the public for expressions of interest to provide the required housing.
Discussion took place and Councillor Sampson will bring this matter up under district concerns later in the meeting.
Sgt.MacKenzie updated Council on the changes in policing due to the Regional Police force taking over in the CBRM. There are plans to expand the Baddeck Detachment and make in the base for the highway patrol. The highway patrol is to expand to 12 members. The RCMP will still be responsible for patrolling Highway 125 to the entrance to the Newfoundland Ferry; Highway 125 to the mall on Grand Lake Road and Highway 4 to the overpass in Sydney River in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality.
Further discussion took place and Sgt. MacKenzie was advised that Council would contact him shortly with regard to the decision on housing in the Boularderie area.
KEARNS DISINTEGRATION SYSTEMS CANADA LIMITED
Warden MacInnes extended the courtesy of Council to John Kearns,
Kearns Disintegration Systems Canada Limited. Mr. Kearns introduced
his staff members present to Council.
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Mr. Kearns indicated he was in attendance in response to Council’s request for a proposal. The KDS technology is a relatively new technology and he would like to provide this technology to Victoria County. He indicated that it would be a good idea to set up a temporary demonstrator site at the Baddeck Landfill and felt this technology would be the answer to solid waste problems in the northern area of the County in the long term.
Mr. Kearns advised Council of Kearns Disintegration Systems (KDS) mission statement. “KDS Canada Ltd. is committed to bring safe and cost effective disposal by disintegration to all generators of waste, large and small, at a cost they can afford.”
The KDS system accepts all solid waste – household, hospital, tires as delivered, construction and demolition debris, brush, excess compostable and all other organic wastes. All components of waste material are reduced to ash or inert solid nodules which represent 13.6% of the original mass of the waste material or 86.4% reduction in waste mass. The KDS system burns at a temperature of 1682 degrees Celsius.
Mr. Kearns indicated that the former rifle range site at the Baddeck Landfill would be an ideal location to set up a KDS system. Mr. Kearns indicated that they are working in cooperation with the Department of the Environment at present and will ensure that everything is done according to their regulations.
Mr. Kearns advised that if approval is given for the temporary demonstrator site, they should be ready of begin in January, 2001. The machinery is modular and will be put together on site. The Department of the Environment approval will be received by KDS prior to locating on site and this permit is site specific.
Testing of the technology was recently done over a four-day period at their site on King Street, North Sydney. The testing went very well and Mr. Kearns thanked the Council members who attended the demonstration for coming. During the testing, which was done in a busy commercial area of North Sydney, not one complaint was received concerning smoke or odor.
Mr. Kearns indicated that the Municipality will not be required to pay anything until KDS starts to disintegrate the solid waste. The present landfill staff can be trained in the operation of the technology for the testing period if approved.
Further discussion took place and Mr. Kearns answered various
questions and concerns addressed by Council.
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It was moved by Councillor Sampson, seconded by Councillor Barron, that Kearns Disintegration Systems Canada Limited be given permission to conduct a two month trial testing of their technology at the Baddeck Landfill provided all the required permits and documentation are in place from the Department of the Environment. Motion carried.
Mr. Kearns extended a vote of thanks to Council. Warden MacInnes thanked Mr. Kearns for his presentation.
RECESS
Warden MacInnes advised that Council would recess for 15 minutes.
JEFF BROWNSTEIN
Courtesy of Council was extended to Jeff Brownstein, President of the Maritime Fishermens Union Local 6. Mr. Brownstein was in attendance concerning oil and gas exploration on Cape Breton’s coastline.
Mr. Brownstein expressed concern on the proposed gas/oil exploration in the region known as 4Vn or the Sydney Byte. Mr. Brownstein indicated that fishing is one of the most sustainable industries on Cape Breton. He estimated that fishing in the Sydney Byte amounts to an approximately $100,000,000.00 industry.
Hunt Oil Limited, Texas, have applied for a lease to carry out oil/gas exploration in inshore waters. This would be the first attempt at such exploration in inshore waters. It is felt that the impacts are far more complex and affect more fisheries than in areas farther offshore.
The initial stage of this exploration is a seismic survey which consists of a vessel towing a series of air guns, of approximately 1000 metres, that emit loud blasts. It is known that seismic testing kills fish eggs and affects migratory patterns.
Mr. Brownstein that the fishermen’s associations are unanimous in their support to stop any and all proposed oil/gas exploration activities in the 4Vn region. Mr. Brownstein indicated that there will be a meeting of fishermen tomorrow in Sydney.
Council expressed their concern in this regard and Mr. Brownstein answered various questions of Council.
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It was moved by Councillor Donovan, seconded by Councillor MacLellan, that Victoria County Municipal Council strongly oppose any proposed gas/oil exploration in the area known as the Sydney Byte and letters expressing our opposition and concern be forwarded to the Prime Minister, Federal Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, Strait-Highlands Regional Development Agency, Premier, Provincial Minister of Fisheries, local MP and MLA. Motion carried.
ROAD NAME CHANGES
It was moved by Councillor Donovan, seconded by Councillor Sampson,
as no objections have been received from the Department of Transportation
and the Rural Cape Breton District Planning Commission, the following road
name changes be approved by the Municipality of Victoria:
? Road #5024 (P) to “Penny Lane”
? Road #5029 (P) to “Oliver’s Lane”
? Road #5435 (P) to “Lake Haven Drive”
? Road #6017 (P) to “Milton’s Lane”
? Road #6018 (P) to “Snitzel Lane”
? Rosstiferian Road to “Lupin Lane”
Motion carried.
MINUTES
The following minutes were presented for approval:
August 28, 2000 – Victoria County Municipal Council
September 14, 2000 – Victoria County Municipal Council
It was moved by Councillor Sampson, seconded by Deputy Warden Yetman, that the minutes be approved as circulated. Motion carried.
BUSINESS ARISING FROM MINUTES
Discussion took place on the impending cuts in the Baddeck Field Office of Nova Scotia Power Inc. It was felt that County should strongly demand that these cuts not take place.
It was moved by Councillor Toms, seconded by Deputy Warden Yetman, that we request a meeting with representatives from Nova Scotia
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Power Inc. to address and express our extreme opposition to the cutbacks to the NSPI Baddeck Field Office. Motion carried.
DISTRICT CONCERNS
District #5
It was moved by Councillor Sampson, seconded by Deputy Warden Yetman, that an expression of interest be advertised for two weeks for any homeowners in the Boularderie area with a home available to rent, and when submissions are received the RCMP be contacted and they select the home for the resident RCMP member and once selected the Municipality enter a lease agreement with the homeowner and in turn sublet the home to the RCMP. Motion carried.
This advertisement is to be placed in the Cape Breton Post.
District #2
Councillor Toms indicated that he received a call from a resident who has not received garbage pickup in the last two weeks. George MacRitchie will be contacted and advised.
District #3
Rodney MacDonald, Minister of Tourism and Culture, announced today that the Department of Housing and Municipal Affairs, under the Provincial Capital Assistance Program, will provide 50% funding, up to a maximum of $62,000 for eligible costs for the Baddeck Sewer System upgrade.
Councillor Morrison advised that this project will provide an interim solution to the immediate sewage disposal problems in the Village, including the installation of a sewer diversion line and providing increased aeration capacity at the sewage treatment plant.
The Municipality have included $50,000 in the budget for the past two years for the Baddeck Sewer System and the matching funding required under the Provincial Capital Assistance Program can come from this budgeted amount.
Councillor Morrison updated Council on what has been done to date
with regard to Baddeck Sewers. Phase I was the Engineering Study
which provided immediate and long term solutions; Phase II is the
diversion; and Phase III will be the actual new sewage treatment plant.
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Councillor Morrison indicated that the Planning Advisory Committee will be meeting with ECBC tomorrow concerning the Baddeck Sewer System.
District #1
It was moved by Deputy Warden Yetman, seconded by Councillor Morrison, that the extension of the Little Narrows Water System and the MacKinnon Harbour/Ottawa Brook water be included on the list of projects for infrastructure funding for District #1. Motion carried.
It was moved by Deputy Warden Yetman, seconded by Councillor Sampson, that $25 be approved from the District #1 budget for grass cutting at the Little Narrows Water Station. Motion carried.
Deputy Warden will identify the organization this cheque is to be made payable to a later date.
District #3
It was moved by Councillor Morrison, seconded by Deputy Warden
Yetman, that the following be approved from the District #3 budget:
? $200 – St. Michael’s Church Cemetery (c/o Ray McGrath)
? $200 – Greenwood/Knox Cemetery (c/o Reta Cook)
? $200 – Greenwood/Knox Cemetery – Kirk Account (c/o Reta Cook)
? $200 – Anglican Church Cemetery (c/o Jean Bradley)
? $200 – Terry Fox Run (c/o Baddeck Lions Club)
Motion carried.
It was moved by Councillor Morrison, seconded by Councillor Toms, that Council approve $34,000 from the budgeted $100,000 for the Phase II sewer diversion for the Baddeck Sewers. Motion carried.
District #5
It was moved by Councillor Sampson, seconded by Deputy Warden Yetman, that a Water Study for Boularderie (District #5) be included in the list of infrastructure projects. Motion carried.
District #7
Councillor Donovan brought up the issue of the elimination of Court Sittings in Ingonish. The requirement for RCMP members to attend Court in
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Baddeck, is leaving the Ingonish Beach Detachment short in manpower.
It was moved by Councillor Donovan, seconded by Councillor Barron, that the Minister or his designate from the Department of Justice be requested to meet with Council to discuss the elimination of Court Sittings in Ingonish and the RCMP be invited to participate in this meeting. Motion carried.
Councillor Donovan indicated that he had Lisa MacKinnon contact the Utility and Review Board concerning the requirements for extending the Neil’s Harbour/New Haven Waterline. A capital expenditure report and cost estimate is required.
It was moved by Councillor Donovan, seconded by Councillor Morrison, that Brian Trask, CAO, obtain the necessary information and get this documentation together. Motion carried.
District #8
It was moved by Councillor MacLellan, seconded by Councillor Donovan, that the $2,000 approved in the 2000/2001 budget for the “Friends of the Veterans” be forwarded to Theresa MacDonald, Sugarloaf. Motion carried.
It was moved by Councillor MacLellan, seconded by Councillor Barron, that $1,000 be approved for the Bay St. Lawrence Volunteer Fire Department from the District #8 budget. Motion carried.
District #4
It was moved by Warden MacInnes, seconded by Councillor Sampson, that $200 be approved from the District #4 budget for the “Feis Clachah Truah”. Motion carried.
ADJOURN
There being no further business, on motion of Councillor Sampson,
seconded by Councillor Barron, the meeting adjourned.
B. E. Trask, CAO
John G. MacInnes, Warden