TOWN OF WABANA

June 16, 2009

Regular Meeting
Present:
Mayor Gosine
Deputy Mayor Pendergast
Councillor Craig
Councillor Kent
Councillor Laurie
Consultant, Ed kent
Town Manager, Diane Butler

RCMP – Const. Robert Short
Const. Leo

Gallery:
• Stan MacDonald

The meeting was called to order at 8:05pm by Mayor Gosine. The minutes of the last regular meeting were adopted as circulated on a motion by Councillor Craig and seconded by Deputy Mayor Pendergast. Motion carried.

REPORTS:

(1) FINANCIAL REPORT- accepted.
(2) TOWN MANAGER’S REPORT – accepted.
• Hydroseeding – may have to be redone.
• Backhoe – repaired under warranty.
• Dilapidated houses – letters will be sent from the MNL lawyer ordering people to have those buildings repaired or removed.
• Tidy Towns – Mayor Gosine said an extra effort should be made this year to clean up our town, and be acknowledged for our efforts.
(3) ARENA REPORT
• Decision to be made soon on whether the same staff will be rehired for the next arena season.
• Concrete is an issue at the arena (capital) – this is being addressed.
(4) ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE REPORT
• Uncollectible poll taxes – written off. Covered in a motion by Councillor Kent and seconded by Councillor Craig. Motion carried. List on file.
(5) TOURISM PLANNING COMMITTEE REPORT
• This committee was spearheaded by Mr. Donkers with a view to improving awareness and attractiveness of Bell Island as a tourist destination.
(6) INTEGRATED COMMUNITY SUSTAINABILITY PLAN (ICSP)
• A motion was made by Deputy Mayor Pendergast and seconded by Councillor Laurie that we would accept Option 2: Stand-alone ICSP – This would result in a single municipality developing a strategic plan that would be apart from any land use plans. It is a one municipality-one strategic plan approach. Motion carried.

RCMP
Topics discussed:
• Shortage of officers here.
• Problems with youth.
• Arson
• No sentences being handed out to first time offenders, and very little to frequent offenders.

CORRESPONDENCE
1. Tidy Towns coming Aug. 3, 2009.
2. Dept. of Transportation and Works – concerning various concerns.
3. Dept. of Transportation and Works – regarding the Flanders and the possibility of splitting the refit. The response was no, but that the dept would attempt to return the vessel to service as quickly as possible.
4. Town of CBS re walk-a-mile – anyone wishing to get involved to let the Town Manager know.
5. Dept. of Municipal Affairs – re solid waste management strategy – advising that we will be receiving a call from a local consultant to discuss this program with us.
6. Letter to Minister Whalen – re provincial paving – expressing our displeasure that Wabana will be overlooked yet again for any provincial funding for road paving this year.
7. Info re fire truck application – the following resolution was passed concerning this application:
• Council confirmed its application for a new fire truck to replace the 40 year old existing vehicles with an estimated gross cost of $250,000 and that council’s share of the cost would be 10%.
• Council approved the reserving of $25,000 as the Council share and that a Fire Truck Acquisition Trust Account be set up in a separate bank account and in order to meet Municipal Affairs requirements $25,000 be deposited/transferred to that account and that council’s share be paid as capital expenditure out of revenue when the truck arrives.
• That the 5% share agreed to be contributed by the Fire Dept. be interim financed by the town while we await the conclusion of their fund raising and when collected and turned over, the funds be deposited either in the trust fund account or the general account of the town. This motion was made by Councillor Craig and seconded by Councillor Kent. Motion carried.

(8) Letter from NLCEL re Access Road Issues – Mayor Gosine explained the situation whereas contractors had bid on the road but were not given the right information (re type of rock to be used). He explained that we met with the engineers and has now agreed that this work would be done with council workers. Mayor Gosine said that the engineers were showing some displeasure with our consultant, Ed Kent, over various issues, but they were assured that Mr. Kent is doing an excellent job and has the best interest of Wabana at heart.
(9) 2009 Project Priorities issues – Arena – noted and ordered placed on file.
(10) Arena issues – concrete – we were advised that Mr. Neil Power would be visiting here (with our engineers) to carry out some more inspections to determine life safety-related concrete support issues.
(11) Arena ACOA application – re our application for a $750,000 two phase project to upgrade the Bell Island arena to which we are requesting 1/3 contribution from ACOA . This was acceptable to council.
(12) Bell Island Waste Management Study 2009 – Terms of Reference – The purpose of this project is to review and evaluate the waste management needs of the Town and surrounding areas within the Island of Bell Island. Mr. Kent said that this waste management move to Robin Hood Bay would be a huge impact on the people of the island in regards to increase in taxes.
(13) Five-year Capital Works program – a resolution was made that the $1,850,000 five year program be submitted to government for approval, and that council’s share would be $185,000. This was covered in a motion by Councillor Craig and seconded by Councillor Kent. Motion carried.

(14) Audit report and financial statement for 2008 – these were accepted on a motion by Councillor Craig and seconded by Councillor Kent. Motion carried.

CONSULTANT’S REPORT - accepted
Mr. Kent gave an overview of the report, which was acceptable to council.

CONCERNS
1. Councillor Kent said that traffic signs and street signs are required in various area of the town.
2. Councillor Kent said that the summer students should be given some direction and training before they start to work. It was mentioned that Teddy McCarthy and Mary Noseworthy would be carrying out an initiation program for the students.
3. Councillor Craig asked about the notice of motion which was given at the last meeting by Councillor McCarthy re the election. It was agreed that we would not deal with this until Councillor McCarthy is present.
4. Councillor Craig presented a letter he had received from a concerned citizen regarding the number of roaming dogs especially in the Green area. It was agreed that we ask our animal control officer to step up patrols in that area and other areas as well.
5. Councillor Craig made mention of the shortage of gas on the island. It was mentioned that a tank is being constructed for Norm King’s gas bar.
6. Councillor Laurie brought to council’s attention that there has been many trampoline related accidents among children, and that some steps should be taken to have these things banned.
7. Councillor Laurie said that medical coverage should be more stable soon with two nurse practitioners on staff, and the addition of another physician in Sept.
8. Mayor Gosine advised council that Ms. Linda Hickey had been successful in obtaining a grant of $5900 from the Fed. Govn for Canada Day activities.
9. Mayor Gosine gave a report of the boating accident, and that many steps are being taken to locate the body of Mike Fleming. He said meetings are held every night to discuss things that can be done, and progress to date.
10. Mayor Gosine said that the bike rodeo would be taking place on June 27th. at the arena.
11. Mayor Gosine said that since Derek Ryan has taken over the position of superintendent of works, things are being done and looked after quite well with the outside workers and related work.

12. Deputy Mayor Pendergast said that there are some big boards (sticks) that should be removed from the beach area, to prevent accidents.

Stan MacDonald, a spectator at the meeting, said that he hopes people will take an interest in their community and run in the upcoming municipal election in Sept.

There being no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 10:50pm on a motion by Councillor Craig and seconded by Councillor Kent. Motion carried.

CONFIRMED

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Mayor

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Town Manager/Clerk