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TOWN OF WABANA
Feb. 9, 2009
The last regular meeting was held on Monday, Feb. 9th. with the following in attendance: Mayor Gosine Deputy Mayor Pendergast Councillor Craig Councillor Kent Councillor Somerton
Consultant, Ed Kent Town Manager/Clerk Diane Butler
RCMP - Corp. T. O'Keefe
Several people in the gallery.
The meeting was called to order at 7:05pm by Mayor Gosine. The minutes of the following meetings were adopted as circulated on a motion by Deputy Mayor Pendergast and seconded by Councillor Craig. Motion carried.
1. Minutes of the last regular meeting held Jan. 7, 2009. 2. Decisions of the private meeting held Jan. 7, 2009. 3. Decisions of the special meeting held Jan. 12, 2009.
RCMP
Corp. O'Keefe reported that things are pretty quiet lately, with nothing new to report at this time.
Several members of the gallery were given an opportunity to speak, they reported that they are having problems with water, they are upset with the increase in taxes.
Councillor Craig reported that council is working very hard towards having a 300,000 litre water tank erected at the front of the island which should help our water problems a lot. This tank should be erected this coming summer.
ARISING OUT OF THE MINUTES:
(1) Duck Pond - being drained on a slow basis to prevent any problems for people in the area.
(2) Bell Island Family Fire Fund - Mayor Gosine gave a report of the recent bad publicity regarding the fund, and that he has issued a press release explaining that he and the committee are doing everything possible to help the grieving families.
FINANCIAL REPORT - - approved as presented. The Town Manager reported that we are presently operating at a $150,000 deficit.
TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT - - approved as presented.
CORRESPONDENCE: (1) Letter from the Dept. of Environment re Gerald Murphy's application to open a commercial garage on Mercer St. Right now we are waiting for a letter from Mr. Murphy advising council that he has all of the stipulations in the letter from the Dept. of Environment carried out, and that he will insure there will be no wrecks on his property, and there will be no danger to our water supply from waste oil, or other toxins.
(2) Letter from the Dept. of Wildlife re foxes - agreed we try to set up a meeting with this department to discuss this issue in more detail.
(3) Letter from NLHC re garbage collection for some homes in Lance Cove. Agreed that we would go accept their suggestion to pay Mr. Lahey for garbage collection to these homes, and we would in turn send our invoice to NLHC. This was covered in a motion by Councillor Craig and seconded by Councillor Kent. Motion carried.
(4) Letter from the Rural Secretariat - ordered placed on file.
(5) Letter from Fay Environment Canada re water treatments - ordered placed on file.
(6) Letter from Minister Trevor Taylor re Wabana Complex - a meeting has been set up to discuss this issue with the minister next week.
(7) Proposals for Arena - these were presented and discussed, the motion made earlier by phone was hereby ratified on a motion by Councillor Craig and seconded by Councillor Somerton. Motion carried.
CONSULTANT'S REPORT (E. KENT):
The following topics were covered in the report: 1. Water Supply - Motion by Councillor Kent and seconded by Deputy Mayor Pendergast to approve the tender of Sullivans' Well Drilling Service to drill the new well west of the west track. Motion carried.
2. Water Tower - This project should be started in three or four weeks time.
3. Replacement program for existing pump houses - Approval required to apply for 90/10 funding to have Davidson Ave. pump replaceed. This was covered in a motion by Councillor Craig and seconded by Deputy Mayor Pendergast. Motion carried.
4. Storm Sewer - A motion was made by Councillor Kent and seconded by Deputy Mayor Pendergast that we would apply for funding to cost share $9000 for engineering review and engagement of diving company to assess the problem, and failing funding from government we would proceed anyway, as this is a 'must' project. Motion carried.
5. Municipal Roads - Council's priority list has been sent to government and application made for a 90/10 program.
6. Community enhancement funding programs - $55,000 Both programs are proceeding well, one for work on our pumphouses and the other for brush cutting on provincial and municipal roads.
7. Amalgamation - Minister Whalen has suggested we seek to conduct a feasibility study on the merits of bringing Lance Cove under the town's jurisdiction. This to be discussed in more detail at a later date.
8. Equipment - Landfill - A motion was made by Deputy Mayor Pendergast and seconded by Councillor Craig that with the projected closing of our land fill operation in 2010, we would submit a 90/10 application for the purchase of a compactor truck costing over $200,000. Motion carried.
9. New Fire Truck - Agreed that we would submit a 90/10 program to cost share a new fire truck, with the fire department contributing half of council's share of the cost. Estimated cost of a new fire truck is $250,000. This was covered in a motion by Councillor Craig and seconded by Deputy Mayor Pendergast. Motion carried.
10. Replacement of backhoe - After receiving tenders for a new backhoe, it was decided that we would accept the seven year least from Easy Lease Corp. at a rate of 6.48% with payments per month of $1500. The backhoe is a Caterpillar and will be purchased/leased from Toromont in St. John's. Also included in the agreement is that they would reduce our maintenance bill by 10% and to take back and repair our old CAT backhoe at their cost assuming no major parts are needed and an offer to help us sell the old back hoe, we are expecting to sell it for about $40,000. This was covered in a motion by Councillor Kent and seconded by Councillor Somerton. Motion carried. Also it was agreed that we insist that maintenance is carried out regularly on this backhoe and recorded in a daily log book.
11. Union meeting on cuts requested - we are still waiting for word from the Union representative, Dave Pearce, in order to set up a meeting to see if we can reduce our overtime expenses by approximately $40,000 this year.
12. Inventory Control - New measures - This has to be undertaken as soon as possible, or council will lose out on various sources of government funding.
13. New recreation park-moto cross area - We have submitted an application to government for this park application and we are waiting to confirm transfer of the land for the new park.
14. Arena - Phase 2 of our 90/10 program for a $500,000 capital program has been approved. A motion was made by Councillor Craig and seconded by Councillor Somerton that we would confirm the proiect scope and order of priority and also write the Minister confirming that council has accepted the project, and also agreeing that Newfoundland and Labrador Consulting Engineers would be overseeing this project. Motion carried.
15. Energy Audit - A motion was made by Councillor Craig and seconded by Deputy Mayor Pendergast that energy audits be undertaken on the arena and the Wabana Complex as pre requisites to accepting funding and making the best use of it. This expenditure was budgeted for in our 2009 budget. Motion carried.
16. Airfield development - The cost to have the airfield upgraded including runway resurfacing, lighting and fencing is $2million dollars. Council has requested the government to seek Federal cost sharing to move the project forward.
17. Economic Development - A meeting has been requested with Minister Skinner to discuss economic development. This meeting should be held this month of Feb.
18. Wabana Complex - Mr. Kent explained that a letter had been received from Minister Taylor indicating that his department had concerns about funding improvements at the complex and indicating they wanted to do further studies. He informed council that he and Mayor Gosine met with Minister Whalen where they expressed their dissatisfaction at this turn of events. A meeting has now been arranged with Minister Taylor to discuss the complex in detail. Also other areas of concern will be discussed at that meeting including provincial road program, capital funding for the Gateway terminals, new ferries, economic development opportunities, etc.
19. RCMP - Mayor Gosine informed council that a meeting was held recently with Corp. Ron Andrews and other RCMP officials to discuss the recent crime spree on the island, and the increasing over use of drugs, etc.
20. 2009 Budget - Our approved budget has been submitted to government for approval, also letters were forwarded to taxpayers explaining why we had to significantly increase taxes this year. Also a special assessment will be sought for apartment properties for a more viable way to collect taxes from landlords.
ARENA FINANCIAL REPORT - approved as circulated. Agreed that we would send a letter to the Junior Blues Hockey League for their generosity in helping to pay Minor Hockey's old invoice.
CONCERNS
(1) Councillor Kent mentioned that wood cutting is taking place here on a very large scale and should be investigated. (2) Councillor Somerton was concerned that interest would be paid on seniors' accounts after Mar. 31st. (3) Councillor Craig said he had received a phone call from Mr. Frank Taylor who was also concerned about seniors' being charged interest. (4) Councillor Craig said that some action should be taken to have the old drug store area on Town Square cleaned up. (5) Deputy Mayor Pendergast asked what we require from Mr. Gerald Murphy in order to consider his application to open a garage. He was told that a letter has to be forthcoming from Mr. Murphy advising that he will adhere to everything in the letter from the Dept. of Environment and the letter from Council. (6) Deputy Mayor Pendergast asked about a piece of land near Mike Conway's, The Green, and if it is considered a fire lane. It was mentioned that this property belongs to a Mr. Joseph Murphy. (7) Mayor Gosine said all of our fire trucks need to be inspected and passed, and inspection certificates issued. The trucks are being inspected and repaired as required.
Mayor Gosine asked those in the gallery if they had anything to bring to council's attention: (1) Dave Foley - he was concerned over the high taxes, and that the property assessors have never visited his property. Mr. Foley was told he could arrange a meeting with our Finance Committee to discuss his concerns.
(2) Hollie Neary - she was also concerned about the increase in taxes especially to landlords, and will be granted a meeting with the Finance Committee.
(3) Stan McDonald - he felt council should make the public more aware of the things they do, people should know where revenues come from and where expenditures go, he said council should be more open.
(4) Lester Rose - very concerned about the problems with water in his area. He informed council that his water has been off 18 times since Christmas.
There being no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 9:30pm on a motion by Deputy Mayor Pendergast and seconded by Councillor Kent. Motion carried.
CONFIRMED
______________________________ Mayor
______________________________ Town Manager/Clerk
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