Mar. 18, 2008

The last regular meeting was held on Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2008, with the following in attendance:

Mayor Gosine
Deputy Mayor Pendergast
Councillor Craig
Councillor McCarthy
Councillor Laurie
Councillor Somerton
Town Manager/Clerk Diane Butler
Consultant, Ed Kent

RCMP
Const. Strong
Const. Hawkins

The meeting was called to order at 7:05pm by Mayor Gosine. The minutes of the last regular meeting and the recommendations of the last special meeting were adopted as circulated on a motion by Councillor McCarthy and seconded by Councillor Craig. Motion carried.

RCMP
ATV’s – Possible guardrail or stock piles of rock to prevent operators of ATV’s from entering non designated areas. However, the liability factor was mentioned. Councillor Craig said that he would contact the NEAJC to see how this issue is handled in other communities.

Other topics talked about were:
SAFE, DARE, and PAL programs for schools.

ARISING OUT OF THE MINUTES
(1) Seniority list and over time list was presented for council’s information.

(2) Newsletter – it was felt that we would encourage the Merrills to remain editors of the newsletter but that council will take it over, give it a new name, and the RCMP continue to pay the copying costs in return for space for their column, but council will pay for the postage. This was agreed by everyone and covered in a motion by Councillor Craig and seconded by Councillor Somerton. Motion carried. Another option discussed was for private enterprise take over the newsletters.

(3) Targa – a motion was made by Councillor McCarthy and seconded by Deputy Mayor Pendergast that we would enter into an agreement with Targa Newfoundland Driving School, with the option to opt out after one year if it is not working to council’s satisfaction. Motion carried.

(4) Trudy Sullivan – agreed that we reply to her letter advising that we can support her application for funding but council cannot take over the building or insure the building for them.

(5) Penitentiary - Mayor Gosine said that the Minister of Securities, Stockwell Day would be coming to Newfoundland soon, and will pay a visit to the island in connection with locating a possible site for the new penitentiary. It was agreed that we would obtain a copy of the brief presented years ago making a very strong case for Bell Island being the best location. It was reported that perhaps Dave Brazil has a copy of this brief, we will contact him.

(6) Disaster Plan – Mayor Gosine said that officials from the Fire Commissioners office would come to the island to assist us with a mock disaster. Recommended that we write the Fire Commissioner with a view to meeting with him to discuss this.

RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE SPECIAL MEETING
(1) All recommendations were approved in the motion to adopt the minutes. But another motion was made by Councillor Craig and seconded by Deputy Mayor Pendergast that we would opt for the 80/20 cost sharing option for water and sewer programs, and that an amended application be made to use some of our Gas Tax funding for capital projects like paving for example. Motion carried.

(2) Gerald Murphy – after a discussion it was decided that we would inform Mr. Murphy that he has to make proper application to the Dept. of Government Services, and that he must provide proof of adequate land for the establishment of a commercial garage in the area. Also that we cannot approve his application until all necessary approvals are obtained from the Dept. of Government Services, i.e. Fire, Environment, etc.

(3) Land – Mr. Ed Kent suggested that council committees become more active, and that the issue of land sales for tax collections be activated to deal with this issue. Councillor Craig, Deputy Mayor Pendergast and Councillor McCarthy said they would serve on this committee with the Mayor.

ARENA MANAGER’S REPORT
Areas discussed were: Minor Hockey, Fraud case, etc.

FINANCIAL REPORT
The Town Clerk said we are still operating in a deficit position with a lot of our income going towards the Wabana Complex building. Councillor McCarthy said he would like to see pie charts of how our money is being disbursed for the various operations of the town, and the sources of our revenues.

TOWN MANAGER’S REPORT
It was reported that we are low on salt and sand again.
Agreed that we check with the union representative regarding Frank Hawco’s employment status.

The Town Manager, Mrs. Butler explained the water supply problems we are having in the front area, and that everything humanly possible is being done to alleviate this situation.

Mayor Gosine explained that the Motocross people are having some concerns about the land they are using for their races. He said that a gentleman on the island has applied for over 185 acres of land for farm land which includes the area where the races take place. Mr. Ed Kent said he will be talking to this gentleman and government officials in the next couple of days to resolve any issues the farming sector may have irrespective of the resolution, there was a firm commitment to Motocross for the current site for 2008.

CORRESPONDENCE
(1) The following copies of letters sent by council to the Dept. of Municipal Affairs and our MHA’s office were tabled for council information:
1. Letter to Baxter Rose, Deputy Minister of Municipal Affairs re our capital needs.
2. Letter to Roger Scaplen, Executive Assistant to Minister Dianne Whalen re, Wabana Complex.
3. Letter to Baxter Rose, Deputy Minister of Municipal Affairs re compensation for damage caused by Torpical Storm Chantal in Oct. 2007.

(2) Letter from Granville Martin re land for Motocross and advising that this land is not to be used for bike racing. Mr. Kent said he would be talking to Mr. Martin about this situation with a view to having it changed.

(3) Letter from Motocross with their scheduled races for this summer.

(4) Letter from Meika West re Energy Source called geothermal energy. Agreed that we would research this further and possibly arrange a meeting with Mr. West.

(5) Letter from FCM re Federal Budget, ordered placed on file.

CONCERNS

(1) Councillor Craig said he and Councillor Kent attended the Capital Coast function recently.

(2) Councillor Craig made a suggestion that the canteen and the bar be leased for the next season, this would free up the Arena Manager, and therefore we will be in a better position to create a part time arrangement for the Arena Manager. This matter was referred for further consideration.

(3) Councillor Laurie said that the government would be installing a sprinkler system in the hospital in the near future.

(4) Councillor Laurie informed council that the Brighter Futures group is no longer functioning on Bell Island, and that council should endeavour to have this group reactivated because it was a source of good support to parents. Agreed that we write the Brighter Futures Coalition for their feedback on this issue.

(5) Mayor Gosine explained about the water problems we are experiencing at the front and that we are doing our very best to have the problems solved, but it is a slow process.

There being no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 10:15pm, on a motion by Deputy Mayor Pendergast and seconded by Councillor Laurie.

Confirmed


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Mayor

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Town Manager/Town Clerk