May 30, 2005

The last regular meeting was held on May 30th with the following in attendance: Mayor Gosine Deputy Mayor Pendergast Councillor Kent Councillor Laurie Councillor Pitts Councillor Squires Councillor Wade

Town Manager, Mr. Kent Town Clerk, Mrs. Butler

Town employees were in attendance.

RCMP - Corp. Merrill

The meeting was called to order at 4pm. The minutes were adopted as circulated on a motion by Deputy Mayor Pendergast and seconded by Councillor Pitts. Motion carried.

RCMP

(1) Corp. Merrill presented a map showing an approved area for the usage of ATV and dirt bikes. The area is near the airstrip beyond the paved portion of the runway. He said that a zero tolerance policy for violators riding outside this approved area has been implemented which will result in ticketing and seizure of vehicles.

(2) Corp. Merrill said that there will be a lot of unhappy people on the island tomorrow as he will be charging people under the Waste Disposal Act for having old wrecks and debris on their property. Also that council will remove wrecks for a fee of $25.00 per wreck, which must be paid in advance.

(3) Corp. Merrill wanted to know the following: 1) who will be obtaining special events liquor licenses for the Come Home Year celebrations, and also he said 2) a list of the people who will be acting as security personnel during the various events and 3) would portable toilet facilities be provided for events taking place out doors during the celebrations.

(4) Corp. Merrill advised that the 911 service is not available here, but it could be obtained at a cost where the calls will go through the St. John's Fire Dept. He said the issue would have to be researched further as it is a big step with many things to be considered, prank calls for example. Then he wondered if we really need a 911 number here. Mayor Gosine felt we should follow up on this matter, as we researched it some years ago but it was a costly venture. Agreed that we have another look into it.

(5) Corp. Merrill said a recruit would be coming to the island this summer for 2.5 months, and also two new officers, Const. Ivy and Const. Tibbo.

(6) Corp. Merrill reported that crime is down by some 60%, with things relatively quiet these days.

(7) Corp. Merrill touched on a few other issues like ATV trails, the establishment of a Community Watch, teen dances at the Heritage Hall, etc.

JAMES KELLOWAY/BUS PARKING

Mayor Gosine read a copy of the letter which Mr. Kelloway sent to the Honourable Jack Byrne, Minister of Municipal and Provincial Affairs, appealing council's decision to disallow a bus parking area in a residential zone. He also read another letter from Mr. Kelloway listing other businesses which have garages, and large commercial vehicles, parked next to their homes. He wondered why he was not afforded the same privilege.

OUTSIDE WORKERS/INSURANCE

Mr. Kent informed the workers that council's liability insurance does not cover our equipment or workers while they are doing work on their own properties. It was suggested that the employees check with their own homeowners insurance companies to see if they could be covered that way. It was suggested that perhaps the employees could sign a waiver that they will not hold council responsible for any injuries or damages. Until the employees checked with their own policies it was felt that we would not allow the use of our equipment by employees for their own use.

BRIAN BURKE/SCULPTURE

Mr. Burke presented a drawing of a proposed sculpture which he can have carved on the old town hall building. He said he has support from the Heritage Society, and was now seeking financial support from council. Councillor Squires felt that the council should not be involved in this; he said the Heritage Society should be dealing with projects such as this, as it is a direct heritage issue. A motion was made by Councillor Pitts and seconded by Deputy Mayor Pendergast that we would endorse Mr. Burke's project, but that the Heritage Society be contacted for their input. Motion carried.

ARISING OUT OF THE MINUTES

(1) David Boland/Florence Pynn property - Agreed that we check with Const. Bennett to see how far the investigation has progressed concerning the unlawful dismantling of the house.

(2) Emergency Plan - it was suggested that after we have the plan updated, that a mock disaster be staged in Sept.

(3) Fish Plant - it was felt that the owners should be contacted again with a view to them obtaining a holding tank for water, to prevent water shortages at the Front whenever the plant is operational.

(4) Arena Manager - Mr. Kent informed council that our new Arena Manager, Todd Gillingham, recently attended a 3-day recreational course for arena managers, and found it very informative and interesting.

(5) Clean up - Mayor Gosine was upset that the clean up of the island hasn't started yet; he said the town is looking terrible. He suggested we designate a day for "Clean up Day" and have it advertised accordingly. It was agreed that this be done on June 18th. Mr. Kent informed council that the actual clean up should start next week, but that we are short on workers. And also our equipment has to be on the dumpsite to have all debris covered and leveled with topsoil. It was felt that we should rehire John Whalen to work for the summer months, Monday to Friday, to help with general work. Motion carried.

(6) Dehumidifier - It was felt that the money obtained to go towards the dehumidifier be used as soon as possible towards this cause, and the funding for playground equipment be utilized. Agreed that some cost involved in both projects be prepared for council.

(7) Water lines - The following water lines, etc. have been requested to be carried out by council: a. Water line to John Kent's property, Nish Jackman Drive. Motion by Deputy Mayor Pendergast and seconded by Councillor Pitts, that this be undertaken when time allows. Motion carried.

b. Tom Spracklin - old lines to be removed, and new curb stop installed.

c. Clarence Kavanagh - water line to new house to be installed.

d. Ramona Nolan, Doris Normore, Rick Parsons - new water lines to be installed.

It was decided that the requests be carried out in the order of priority. (8) Excavator - Mr. Kent informed council that he had received quotes for a used excavator and that the best one would be from Harbor Construction, which is a 1992 model and is selling for $45,000. It was felt that an inspection by a qualified heavy equipment mechanic be conducted before any decision is made regarding this excavator. Also it was agreed on a motion by Deputy Mayor Pendergast and seconded by Councillor Wade that we advertise our dozer for sale, with the proceeds going towards the excavator, if it turns out to be in suitable condition. Motion carried.

(9) Various other items discussed - Street light needed near Heritage Hall; ore car and sign erected on TCH, follow up on nomination of Gerald Fowler for environment award.

FINANCIAL REPORT - Accepted as presented.

TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT - Mr. Kent informed council that St.Michael's School will be covered under our insurance policy for the Gala Dance held there as a part of the Come Home Year celebrations.

ARENA REPORT - Accepted as presented. Note was taken of the summer maintenance required at the arena.

CORRESPONDENCE -

(1) Letter from Tidy Towns - confirming our registration to participate in the 2005 Provincial Competition.

(2) Copy of letter to the Min. of Tourism from Marg Skehans re information centre - agreed that we would support her in this venture.

(3) Letter from the Minister of State re the Federal Budget - ordered placed o n file.

(4) Letter from Mr. Herb Brett, President of the NLFM, re various topics - ordered placed on file.

(5) Letter from Keith Hawco re bus parking on Grammar St. Agreed that 'No Parking' signs be erected there.

(6) Letter from NEAJC advising that the next meeting will be held on June 15th in Petty Harbour. Anyone wishing to attend can do so.

(7) An application was presented from Blaine Galway to open the former Papa Dave's restaurant on Armoury Road. This was approved on a motion by Councillor Wade and seconded by Councillor Pitts. Motion carried.

(8) Letter from the Newfoundland Liquor Corp. re liquor agency store - inquiring if any store owner would be interested in having this agency in their store.

(9) Information from NLFM re Municipal Symposium and Golf Tournament June 10th. and 11th.

Next an order in council was made to order the repair or removal of any dilapidated buildings around town. Mention was made of the following, but not limited to those: Dan Craig, Mike McGrath Jr., Joe Carbage, Ed Pynn, and Louis Carbage. This order was made in a motion by Councillor Squires and seconded by Councillor Wade. Motion carried.

CONCERNS

(1) Mr. Kent informed council that the garbage contract will be up in June. It was agreed that he check to see how long we can extend the current contract, and continue until then.

(2) Councillor Squires said the old incinerator at the dumpsite should be removed, as it distracts from the beautiful scenery in the eastern end of the island.

(3) Mr. Kent informed council that he is still waiting for word on the chlorination system for Steve Neary Blvd.

(4) Mayor Gosine said he would like for the Minister of Municipal Affairs, Honourable Jack Byrne, to come to the island to view our roads and to see first hand some of the infrastructure problems we have to deal with.

(5) Mayor Gosine said the Valley Hill is a total disgrace and needs attentions badly, mention was made of Renown St. and Downing St. too.

(6) Mayor Gosine suggested we write the owners of business signs on the Beach Hill to have them repainted and cleaned up.

(7) Mayor Gosine informed council that he was approached by a business person complaining that our Economic Development Officer had never visited their establishment, and the person in question felt he should be doing more to promote new businesses and to check to see that current businesses are operating sufficiently.

(8) Mayor Gosine felt that the field work should be completed this year as we have already done significant work there and it should be finished. It was mentioned that No. 6 field would not be used this year so we can take some time to have it upgraded. A motion was made by Councillor Kent and seconded by Councillor Squires that the ball field be upgraded before the end of Sept. 2005. Motion carried.

A somewhat heated argument erupted between Mayor Gosine and Councillor Squires about commitment to taking part in various things. The Mayor said he spends 90% of his time on council business, but other members of council do not spend close to this amount of time. Councillor Squires reminded Mayor Gosine that he has a commitment to his granddaughter and has to be there for her at all times.

Before the argument went any further Councillor Pitts made a motion to adjourn, it was seconded by Councillor Wade. Motion carried.

The meeting adjourned at 7pm.

CONFIRMED

_________________________________ Mayor

_________________________________ Town Clerk

Next meeting June 28, 2005 at 4pm