VICTORIA COUNTY MUNICIPAL COUNCIL
November
19, 2001
A meeting of Victoria County Municipal Council was held at the Court House, Baddeck on Monday, November 19, 2001, beginning at 5:00 p.m. with Deputy Warden Bruce Morrison 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
Deputy Warden Morrison called the meeting to order and presented the agenda for approval.
Warden Sampson indicated that Earl Timmins was requesting a few minutes on the agenda prior to the approval of the November 5, 2001, Council minutes.
It was moved by Councillor MacInnes, seconded by Councillor MacNeil,
that the agenda be approved with the noted addition.
Motion carried.
Courtesy of Council was extended to J. D. MacCulloch, Executive Producer, Baddeck International New Media Festival, who was in attendance to make a presentation on the festival.
Mr. MacCulloch presented a short promotional video for the Baddeck International New Media Festival. He then proceeded with an overhead presentation with the assistance of Ross MacDonald, Director of Development for Victoria County.
Mr. MacCulloch presented the vision statement for the festival.
The Baddeck Festival was started in 1997 and has grown significantly since then. ECBC conducted an Economic Impact Study on the festival and it is estimated that since its inception the economic impact has been $1.1 million. The long-term plans are to establish a full-time festival office in Baddeck, with a full-time staff. As well there are plans for a new media institute. The new media institute will be modelled after the Banff New Media Institute. It will be a multi-purpose facility, serving tourism, culture, technology and community interests. It will serve as a convention/meeting and performance space and be fully wired for broadcast production.
The next steps in the process were identified as:
· Identify partners
· Establish a team
· Identify key funding sources
· Secure sponsors
· Centre feasibility study
Mr. MacCulloch concluding by requesting Council for their endorsement of this project.
Mr. MacCulloch was questioned as to whether holding the media festival and Celtic Colours at the same time was beneficial or detrimental. He indicated he felt it was positive to having both events held during the same time frame.
The number of employees that could result from the establishment of a full-time media office and centre was discussed and Mr. MacCulloch indicated the number could reach 75 people.
It was moved by Councillor MacInnes, seconded by Warden Sampson, that
Victoria County Municipal Council support the efforts of the Baddeck
International New Media Festival and their plans for a full-time office and new
media institute. Motion carried.
Mr. MacCulloch was extended a vote of thanks and he was excused at this time.
The minutes of the October 15, 2001, and November 5, 2001, Council meetings were presented for approval.
It was moved by Councillor Toms, seconded by Councillor Budge, that
the October 15, 2001, Council minutes be approved as presented.
Motion carried.
Prior to approving the November 5, 2001, minutes, courtesy of Council was extended to Earl Timmins.
Mr. Timmins was in attendance as a result of a presentation made by Olive MacKay at the last meeting concerning renaming a section of the Old Margaree Road to the Old Cabot Trail Road.
Mr. Timmins indicated his opposition to the change in the road name. He indicated that there are 14 businesses, with a total of 110 employees, between Exit 7 and Exit 8, which could be effected by the requested road name change. He requested Council to reconsider their motion supporting the road name change made at the November 5, 2001, meeting.
It was moved by Councillor Barron, seconded by Councillor MacLellan, that the motion passed at the November 5, 2001, Council meeting pertaining to renaming a section of the Old Margaree Road to the Old Cabot Trail Road be rescinded and the remainder of the November 5, 2001, Council minutes be approved. Motion carried.
SNOW
REMOVAL – INGONISH BEACH SIDEWALKS
Brian Trask advised that one tender was received for the removal of snow
from the Ingonish Beach Sidewalks. The
tender received from Doucette’ Variety Store was $50.00 per hour plus HST.
It was moved by Councillor Barron, seconded by Warden Sampson, that Doucette’s Variety Store tender for snow removal from the Ingonish Beach Sidewalks be accepted. Motion carried.
LIABILITY
INSURANCE INCREASE
Brian Trask advised that at present the municipality carries liability
insurance in the amount of $3,000,000, but this is not sufficient. He has been in contact with MacCoy Insurance Brokers to
increase our liability coverage. MacCoy
is presently working on this matter and Mr. Trask is awaiting confirmation that
a carrier has been found.
TAX
EXEMPTION BY-LAW
Page 4, VICTORIA COUNTY MUNICIPAL COUNCIL, November
19, 2001
Brian Trask indicated that the “By-Law Respecting Tax Exemption for
Fire Companies, Charitable and Non-Profit Organizations” is in need of
updating and approval. He presented
the by-law for approval.
It was moved by Councillor MacInnes, seconded by Councillor MacNeil, that the tax exemption by-law be approved. Motion carried.
CORRESPONDENCE
1.
Letter from the Honourable Peter Christie, Minister of Community
Services, concerning the increase in the eligibility age for disabled persons.
2.
Memorandum from Jerry Blumenthal, President, UNSM, updating on the roles
and responsibilities.
3.
Correspondence from Jack Layton, President, FCM, regarding the 65th
Annual Conference of the FCM to be held in Hamilton, Ontario form May 31- June
3, 2002.
4.
Copy of a letter from Joseph Janega, Chair of the Rural Cape Breton
District Planning Commission, forwarded to the UNSM concerning
the E-911 funding allocation.
5.
Correspondence from Jack Novack, Program Director, Henson College,
regarding the Municipal Endowment Fund.
6.
Copy of Tourism Report submitted by Tom Wilson, Director of Recreation
and Tourism.
DANGEROUS
AND UNSIGHTLY PREMISES
The Dangerous and Unsightly Premises Order has been issued to Charles and
Ruby MacPherson. Warden Sampson
advised that he and Brian Trask visited the site concerning the derelict
vehicles located on the property and arrangements have been made to remove the
vehicles and clean up the associated debris.
DISTRICT
CONCERNS
District
#6
It was moved by Councillor Barron, seconded by Councillor MacLellan, that $1,000 be approved from the District #6 and $500 from both the District #7 and #8 budgets for Ski Cape Smokey. Motion carried.
Page 5, VICTORIA COUNTY MUNICIPAL COUNCIL, November
19, 2001
District
#1
It was moved by Councillor MacNeil, seconded by Councillor MacInnes, that $300 be approved for the Little Narrows Community Development Association from the District #1 budget. Motion carried.
Councillor MacNeil brought up a concern that there is no trained back up
for the Little Narrows Water System should Ron McIntyre not be available.
This matter will be addressed through the Water Committee.
District
#2
It was moved by Councillor Toms, seconded by Councillor MacNeil, that $275 be approved for the Baddeck Valley Community Hall and $200 for the Crowdis Mountain Snowmobile Club from the District #2 budget. Motion carried.
It was moved by Deputy Warden Morrison, seconded by Warden Sampson, that $200 be approved for the Baddeck Christmas Parade (c/o Rev. Lloyd Murdock) and $200 for the Baddeck Academy Prom Committee from the District #3 budget. Motion carried.
When the Sewer By-Laws were approved for Baddeck the hook up fee for connection to the sewer was set at $1,000. Deputy Warden Morrison advised that on checking this amount is excessive and an amendment is being requested to lower the sewer connection fee to $300.
It was moved by Deputy Warden Morrison, seconded by Councillor Toms,
that 1st reading of an amendment to lower the sewer connection fee in
Baddeck to $300 from $1,000 be approved. Motion
carried.
It was moved by Warden Sampson, seconded by Councillor MacLellan, that
$300 be approved for the District #5 Action Committee from the District #5
budget for bus shelter repairs. Motion
carried.
It was moved by Councillor Budge, seconded by Warden Sampson, that $500 be approved from the District #7 budget for the Ingonish Volunteer Community Association. Motion carried.
RECESS
Deputy Warden Morrison
announced that Council would recess for 5 minutes.
BADDECK SEWERS
The following individuals entered the meeting at this time
·
Eddie Keeling, Jess
Kerr, Brian Chandler – Village Commissioners
·
Lisa MacKinnon,
Village Clerk
·
Dan Chaisson,
Village Solicitor
Brian Trask advised that on November 7, 2001, representatives from the
Village and the County met to discuss an agreement with regard to the Baddeck
Sewers.
The infrastructure funding application has been received and is to be
signed by the Municipality’s signing officers.
It was moved by Councillor Budge, seconded by Councillor MacInnes, that the Warden and CAO sign the infrastructure funding application for the Baddeck Sewage Treatment Plant Upgrade. Motion carried.
Brian Trask reported on the meeting held between the Village and the
County and the memorandum he forwarded as a result of this meeting.
Eddie Keeling, Chair of the Village of Baddeck advised that the Village
met on November 7, 2001, and passed a motion at the meeting.
Dan Chaisson then read the motion which states:
·
“that the Village
of Baddeck agrees in principle with the memorandum of the Municipality of the
County of Victoria provided by Brian Trask on November 7, 2001, and in
accordance with the letter form John Anderson received on the same date, to
proceed with an agreement to pursue ownership of the Sewage Treatment Plant, and
to cost share all financial costs on a 50/50 basis with the Municipality of the
County of Victoria, and to hold a general meeting of the Village electors to
propose a motion to borrow the necessary funding.”
It was moved by Councillor Toms, seconded by Councillor MacNeil, that the Village of Baddeck assume ownership and maintenance of the Baddeck Sewer and this asset be transferred to the Village; the Village of Baddeck arrange financing for the Baddeck Sewage Treatment Plant Upgrade project; the Municipality guarantee
Page
7, VICTORIA COUNTY MUNICIPAL COUNCIL, November 19, 2001
the debenture required for the financing of the sewage project and pay 50% of the Village of Baddeck’s financial costs in connection with the Baddeck Sewage Treatment Plant Upgrade project. Motion carried.
IN CAMERA
The meeting then moved to an In Camera session.