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1990-02-19_Minutes 82-223 COMMON COUNCIL FEBRUARY 19, 1990 At a meeting of the Common Council, held at the City Hall in the City of Saint John, on Monday, the nineteenth day of February, AD. 1990, at 4:00 o'clock p.m. present Elsie E. Wayne, Mayor Councillors Coughlan, Davis, Fitzpatrick, Flewwelling, Gould, Knibb, Rogers, A Vincent and M. Vincent - and - Messrs. G. Taylor, City Manager; N. Barfoot, Deputy City Manager; F. Rodgers, City Solicitor; D. Wilson, Commissioner of Finance; P. Groody, Commissioner of Human Resources; W. D. Todd, Director of Housing and Property Management; S. Armstrong, Director of Engineering; D. O'Leary, Director of Economic Development; D. Sherwood, Chief of Police; R. McDevitt, Fire Chief; G. Tait, Deputy Fire Chief; C. Campbell, Manager, Policy Planning; N. Hill, Heritage Planner; Mrs. M. Munford, Common Clerk; and Ms. C. Joyce, Assistant Common Clerk. Father George Riley of St. Rose Roman Catholic Parish offered the opening prayer. On motion of Councillor Flewwelling Seconded by Councillor M. Vincent RESOLVED that minutes of the meeting of Common Council, held on February 12, 1990, be approved. Question being taken, the motion was carried. Her Worship the Mayor recognized the presence in the Council Chamber of Mr. David O'Brien, Publicity Director of the YM-YWCA Red Triangle Dinner to be held on March 1 in recognition of Mr. James A MacMurray, and proclaimed the week of February 25 to March 2, 1990 to be Red Triangle Week in the City of Saint John in recognition of the YM-YWCA's contribution to the City and the Province of New Brunswick. Her Worship the Mayor made the observation that February 19 is Heritage Day in Canada and welcomed to the meeting Mr. Blair Roma, Vice Chairman of the Saint John Preservation Review Board, who showed slides depicting the properties for which awards were to be presented, and the Mayor presented the Heritage Awards on behalf of the Board as follows:- (a) in the commercial category to Mr. Doug Shippee of Carnaghan Taylor Insurance for a new sign at its offices at 91 Germain Street, as well as to Donald and Carole Moore; and to Mr. Ron Roberts of Kennebecasis Sports for its storefront at 16 King Street, the awning having been made by George Holder & Son and the sign by Wilkins Signs; (b) in the residential category to Ms. Kit Hickey of Housing Alternatives for the major restoration of a residence at 29 Harding Street, the architects of the sign being Comeau MacKenzie Architectural Partnership and the builders of the sign being Glenhar Builders; and (c) a special award to Mr. Stephen Carson and Mrs. Barbara Cornel is for the community of Orange Street for its contribution towards the designation of Orange Street as a Preservation Area, the consultants being Comeau MacKenzie Architectural Partnership. At the Mayor's invitation, Mr. John Steeves, President of Saint John Heritage Trust, commented on the following awards presented by Saint John Heritage Trust on February 16: a residential award to Messrs. Stephen McEachern and Douglas Black who restored a house at 1 Goodrich Street; a commercial/historical award to Simpson, Cumming and Webber for restoration of the former City Hall building on Prince William Street; a commercial/ retail award to House of Tara on Prince William Street; and a special award to Mr. Dominic Eden for his preservation work on Horsfield Street. The Mayor thanked the members of the Preservation Review Board, Saint John Heritage Trust and Mr. Hill for their efforts on behalf of the City of Saint John, and 82-224 COMMON COUNCIL FEBRUARY 19, 1990 proclaimed the week of February 19 to be Heritage Week in the City of Saint John. On motion of Councillor M. Vincent Seconded by Councillor A. Vincent RESOLVED that the Mayor, on behalf of the members of Common Council and the citizens of Saint John, forward a letter to Mr. Mark Lackie, who was ranked second in Canada in the Canadian Team Trials for Canada's National Speedskating Team, congratulating him on an outstanding accomplishment as a world class athlete. Question being taken, the motion was carried. On motion of Councillor Coughlan Seconded by Councillor M. Vincent RESOLVED that the FCM Release entitled "Statement on Official Languages Controversy" (copies of which were forwarded to Council members as an information item) be added to the agenda for consideration at this meeting. Question being taken, the motion was carried. The Mayor asked that the following items on fluoridation (copies of which were forwarded to Council members as information items) be added to the agenda of this meeting:- a letter from J. A. Keenan, a letter from M. Adler, and an article entitled "Doctor Calls Fluoridation Poison". On motion of Councillor Flewwelling Seconded by Councillor Gould RESOLVED that the above-mentioned items be added to the agenda for consideration at this meeting. Question being taken, the motion was carried with Councillors Coughlan, Fitzpatrick, Knibb and Rogers voting "nay". On motion of Councillor Gould Seconded by Councillor Knibb RESOLVED that the letter to the Mayor from the Saint John Transit Commission and the City's News Release concerning Number 5 Fire Station on Main Street (copies of which were forwarded to Council members as information items) be added to the agenda for consideration at this meeting. Question being taken, the motion was carried. On motion of Councillor A. Vincent Seconded by Councillor M. Vincent RESOLVED that the letter from Teed, Teed & McPhee, solicitors, regarding a letter of agreement between the City and Local No. 61, C.U.P.E. (copies of which were forwarded to Council members as an information item), be added to the agenda for consideration at this meeting. Question being taken, the motion was carried. Messrs. M. Somerville, Chairman; M. Baxter, G. Forbes Elliot and H. Stafford, Members of the Economic Development Advisory Board; and Denis Collart, Partner, Price Waterhouse and a specialist in economic development, were present in the Council Chamber, to present the proposed Economic Development Strategy for the City of Saint John, such Strategy having been developed by the Economic Development Advisory Board, with the assistance of Price Waterhouse and Growth Strategies Organization. 82-225 COMMON COUNCIL FEBRUARY 19, 1990 Mr. Somerville, referring to a summary presentation of the Economic Development Strategy for Saint John (copies of the summary and a report entitled "An Economic Development Strategy for the '90s" having been distributed to Council members in Committee of the Whole earlier this date during a presentation of the Strategy), read the Board's introductory letter advising that the Economic Development Strategy being recommended is complementary to the City's other planning documents, such as the Strategic Plan's Goals for Saint John and the Central Business Development Corporation's recent uptown development strategy, together which will provide the direction necessary for coordinated and successful actions to occur on all fronts; suggesting that specific opportunities exist for Saint John to become a more significant centre, including fishery, tourism, transportation, communication and finance, and further that Saint John has a very significant number of heavy manufacturing facilities which present many economic development opportunities for smaller companies offering services, supplies and business specialties; also suggesting that, if Saint John is to move ahead more rapidly in the 1990s, it will take leadership and the commitment of its citizens, and that education, quality of lifestyle, quality of work place, quality of services (particularly municipal infrastructure), improving the Saint John image (particularly the union/management relationship) are all critical success factors to the Saint John Economic Development Strategy; and expressing the opinion that, with dedication to the implementation strategy and a commitment to the recommendations outlined in the Strategy, the City of Saint John has both a worthwhile, effective municipal Economic Development Strategy and action program for the next five years. Mr. Somerville advised that the consultants were to identify and prioritize critical issues concerning the City's future economic development; define goals and objectives; formulate an action plan for the next three to five years; and make recommendations as to resource allocation and the monitoring process to ensure proper control of the execution of the plan, and introduced Mr. Denis Collart, Partner, Price Waterhouse and a specialist in economic development. Mr. Collart made a summary presentation of the Economic Development Strategy for Saint John addressing the City's strengths and the opportunities available to Saint John, as well as the City's weaknesses and constraints, from the points of view of socia-demographics, business climate, economic outlook and leadership; and suggesting that the strategic objective for Saint John, which is both attainable and attractive for the City, is to become a modern industrial centre ready for the 21 st century, for which five critical success factors must be present as follows:- (1) human resources have to be developed to ensure quality, productivity, entrepreneurship and wealth for the entire community; (2) networking between large and smaller Saint John firms must increase if a tightly-knit business community is to be developed and, among other things, links between private investment capital sources in Saint John and local entrepreneurs must be improved, and large firms must take the lead in assisting smaller Saint John firms in becoming their suppliers; (3) closer links with New England must be fostered in order to develop new markets in North America and attract investments and tourists; (4) current efforts towards improving the quality of life in Saint John must be pursued and intensified because economic development cannot be sustained without it; and (5) leadership is a prerequisite in order to mobilize the community's will and resources to move in the right direction, with the challenge being to ensure that all leaders in the community, large or small, share the same overall development objectives and take an active part in the implementation of the strategy. Mr. Collart explained that the Economic Development Strategy comprises the following plans:- (A) the Business Development Plan which presents a series of recommendations aimed at the growth of existing local business, the creation of new business by local entrepreneurs and, finally, outside business that could be attracted to Saint John; (B) the Community Improvement Plan which addresses specific areas of the business climate which have to be improved in order to make Saint John a more saleable or attractive "product" for outside investors, but foremost for local businesses; (C) the New England Economic Relations Development Plan which includes specific recommendations on how to improve links with New England; and (D) the Communications Plan which presents recommendations on how Saint John's image should be modified to impact in a favourable way on its future economic development. Mr. Collart referred to the recommendations with respect to each of the aforementioned Plans as follows:- with regard to the Business Development Plan, that (1) a local Supplier Development Program be established in order to develop stronger ties between local suppliers and local manufacturers, such program to be sector- specific and link smaller local companies with procurement agents and engineering 82-226 COMMON COUNCIL FEBRUARY 19, 1990 managers of large Saint John businesses; (2) a Business Encounter Program be put in place to allow local potential suppliers of goods and services to visit larger Saint John businesses in order to identify supply opportunities; (3) an annual Business Awards Night be organized for Saint John business people in order to reward successful entrepreneurs and outstanding business achievements; (4) the Economic Development Department should continue and intensify its activity in assisting new and potential businesses, with special emphasis on those new businesses which present growth potential; (5) access be improved to local private capital sources through the establishment of an informal network of so-called venture capital "angels" interested in providing new ventures with equity and advice and by presenting them to would-be entrepreneurs; (6) work must be done with Saint John companies to develop business opportunities that were identified during the course of this project, as well as through future efforts; (7) an educational media series on new business start-ups and operation be developed; (8) a targeted approach at business attraction in the sense that attraction efforts will be focused on specific sectors of activity and on specific geographic areas; (9) current external suppliers of Saint John companies be identified and encouraged to base at least a portion of their business in Saint John; and (10) work also be done with Provincial and Federal Governments in attracting jobs and contracts related to Saint John's industrial vocation and research activities. Relative to the Community Improvement Plan, Mr. Collart noted the recommendations that:- (1) a Saint John Education Committee be created in order to help bring about the required changes in education, the Committee's objectives to include larger enrollments at the community college and at the university, upgrading of the primary and high school system, motivating Saint John persons of all ages to continue their studies, and developing training programs to combat functional illiteracy; (2) an alliance of New Brunswick cities be created to support improvements to the New Brunswick educational system; (3) a Saint John Total Quality Committee be established in order to address the following objectives: raising the issue concerning the critical need for total quality management, involving larger firms in developing local quality suppliers, and preparing and coordinating a total quality management education program; (4) to reinforce the remarkable efforts made in the last few years to improve quality of life in Saint John, (i) the City should pursue its beautification program for the downtown core and also undertake an "access" beautification program to ensure that incoming visitors to the Airport, for instance, get the most favourable impression possible; (ii) municipal grants should be made available to do renovation work on buildings located in the downtown core or along access roads, and (iii) the City should enforce more strictly by-laws that impact on visual environment; and concerning the New England Economic Relations Development Plan, Mr. Collart made the observation that the Strategy suggests that actions should be undertaken at the highest political levels in Saint John and New Brunswick to further develop economic links with New England and recommends, as the first step, (1) the creation of a Saint John-New England Business Council with the mandate to overlook the long-term development of sustained economic relations between the two regions; (2) the signing by New Brunswick with Maine and Massachusetts of economic and cultural development agreements, with one of the first topics of discussion to be a joint project for the improvement of roads connecting New Brunswick and Maine; (3) the signing by Saint John of economic development agreements with New England cities such as Boston, Portland and Bangor; and (4) industrial visits, trade missions, seminars and exhibitions with New England cities should be encouraged and supported in order to help develop investment, client and supplier contacts. Mr. Collart explained that it is considered most important, that, in parallel with the other components of the Economic Development Strategy, a Communications Plan be put in place to develop a more favourable image of Saint John as a place to visit, to do business, and to live, and also to convey to Saint John residents that their City can again become a booming City, and that ad campaigns should be developed in order to describe Saint John as an attractive City, as well as a good place to do business; and, to convey the image that Saint John is getting ready for the 21st century, an annual Ambassadors of Excellence Program should be established whereby one prominent Saint John person of national or international repute is selected every two years to promote Saint John in his field of endeavour, giving the City a higher profile and eventually leading to new project development; and he expressed the opinion that, while the recommendations address the critical success factors mentioned in the Strategy, one factor needs to be further stressed, namely, leadership, and in this regard it is recommended that a Saint John Tomorrow Committee be created, comprised of business leaders, the Mayor of Saint John and other mayors from the metro area, municipal, Provincial and Federal legislators, 82-227 COMMON COUNCIL FEBRUARY 19, 1990 representatives from the education community, labour leaders, as well as other community leaders, with the role of this Committee to be to actively guide the successful implementation of the Economic Development Strategy and to mobilize the necessary resources in the community. Mr. Collart commented on the recommended composition of the Saint John Tomorrow Committee and its meeting structure, and concluded that the stated objectives for Saint John are considered realistic, attractive and attainable, and will call for plenty of hard work and will require commitment from all leaders in the community, large or small, to make the Economic Development Strategy a success, and that this is the challenge Saint John residents are now facing. During discussion Mr. Somerville explained that, while the above proposal makes tourism project suggestions, the Strategy does not attempt to get involved in local projects presently being promoted for the City, although tourism is very high in priority, and confirmed that an annual overall budget of $200,000 to $250,000 is estimated as the amount needed in the Economic Development Department to carry out the Strategy; and Mr. Collart responded to Council queries concerning the proposed Economic Development Strategy for the City of Saint John. Councillor A. Vincent proposed a motion that the Economic Development Strategy be implemented forthwith, whereupon the Mayor asked that the motion be that Council look at the establishment of a Saint John Tomorrow Committee immediately and the matter of financing be referred to the City Manager for consideration and a report to Council, and Councillor M. Vincent suggested that the plan should be adopted in principle subject to financial arrangements. On motion of Councillor A. Vincent Seconded by Councillor Flewwelling RESOLVED that the proposed Economic Development Strategy be referred for Council's consideration of the establishment of a Saint John Tomorrow Committee immediately and that the matter of financing be referred to the City Manager for consideration and a report to Council, and further that Council adopt the Economic Development Strategy Plan in principle subject to financial arrangements. Question being taken, the motion was carried. Her Worship the Mayor made the observation that Council normally deals with presentations such as that above later in the meeting; however, in this instance, the members of the Board are now aware that action is being taken in this regard. On motion of Councillor M. Vincent Seconded by Councillor Gould RESOLVED that the letter from the Saint John Transit Commission to the Mayor advising of its decision to discontinue Christmas Day service effective December 25, 1990, on the basis that very few passengers are inclined to use it; noting that the Cities of Moncton and Fredericton do not offer Christmas Day service; and explaining that the Mayor is being advised of this decision at this time so that the Commission's announcement of this change next December will not come as a surprise -- be received and filed. Question being taken, the motion was carried. On motion of Councillor Flewwelling Seconded by Councillor M. Vincent RESOLVED that the news release issued by the City of Saint John explaining why Number 5 Fire Station, Main Street North, is operating temporarily from Number 8 Fire Station at Millidge Avenue -- be received and filed. Question being taken, the motion was carried. 82-228 COMMON COUNCIL FEBRUARY 19, 1990 On motion of Councillor M. Vincent Seconded by Councillor Coughlan RESOLVED that the letter from Teed, Teed & McPhee, solicitors for Local No. 61, C.U.P.E., submitting one copy of an executed Letter of Agreement between the City of Saint John and Local No. 61 which is believed to cover the establishment and operation of the Family Violence/Sexual Abuse Investigation Unit -- be received and filed and Council express appreciation to both the Local and management for being able to resolve the issue through discussion and negotiation. Councillor A. Vincent expressed the understanding from the President of Local No. 61 that the above agreement has already been violated and suggested that, while all that the Chief of Police had to do was post the position and he could have appointed the person who he appointed to the position earlier this date, failed to post the position and to follow the rest of the collective agreement, and Mr. Rodgers expressed the opinion that, while he would not interfere with any statements a Council member may wish to make, staff should be careful about any answers in this regard because a grievance may result if something has gone wrong. Question being taken, the motion was carried. On motion of Councillor Flewwelling Seconded by Councillor Fitzpatrick RESOLVED that the letter from Mayor Wayne advising of a policy for senior citizens in Ontario whereby, after their driveways have been shoveled, a pole is placed at the end of the driveways to instruct the driver of the City snowplough to lift the blade; and requesting that the City Manager and appropriate staff look at something similar for next year for the consideration of Council -- be referred to the City Manager for a report to Council. Question being taken, the motion was carried. On motion of Councillor Flewwelling Seconded by Councillor Gould RESOLVED that letters from Mayor Wayne submitting items regarding fluoride as follows:- (a) a copy of a facsimile letter from Dr. James Fan, District Medical Health Officer, dated February 2, 1990 and received in her office on February 14, 1990, advising that, despite several attempts to determine the source of a study referred to in a recent media report on fluoride and cancer, no published data is available at present and, by several comments, attempting to put the report in some perspective; and (b) a letter from Fern Maillet presenting reasons why, in her opinion, fluoride in the City's drinking water would not be a good idea; and the following information items (a) a copy of a letter to the Mayor from Mr. J. Avery Keenan; (b) a copy of a letter to the editor by M. Alder, and (c) a copy of an bulletin issued by the National Association To Defeat Fluoridation -- be received and filed. Councillor Coughlan made the observation that much information is being compiled on fluoridation regardless of the fact that the fluoridation matter has been resolved in that the Saint John people have spoken in support of fluoridation by a plebiscite, the previous Council voted nine to two to implement fluoridation, Dr. James Fan is monitoring the health situation in the area, and the Dental Society and Dental Hygienists, as well as City staff, are also monitoring the situation, and asked if the process is still ongoing and if any equipment needed in this regard has been ordered. Mr. Taylor confirmed that, as indicated at the last meeting, the fluoridation process is continuing and that as far as equipment is concerned, such will be identified in the capital budget. The Mayor made the observation that the whereabouts of the above- mentioned letter from Dr. Fan was questioned by Councillor Landers at the last meeting and suggested that Council cannot stop those who are opposed to fluoridation to have the right to add their items to the agenda in the same manner as those who are in favour, and added that it is her intent to place all future letters on the agenda so that 82-229 COMMON COUNCIL FEBRUARY 19, 1990 both sides can be heard. Councillor M. Vincent suggested that, rather than debate the fluoridation matter each time correspondence for or against fluoridation is forwarded to Council which could be weekly, items dealing with fluoridation could be submitted to Council once a month, for instance on the last Monday of each month. Question being taken, the motion was carried. On motion of Councillor M. Vincent Seconded by Councillor Rogers RESOLVED that whereas there is no policy established on the receiving of information relating to the fluoride issue, Council establish a policy and request that the Common Clerk assemble material received and submit it to Council during the last Monday's meeting of each month and that, if Council members wish to check on correspondence received, they may do so by contacting the Common Clerk's Office. Mr. Rodgers expressed the opinion that it is no major crisis if Council adopts the above as a policy with the understanding that there is nothing public until Council receives it and that, while the Common Clerk has a responsibility under the Council Procedure By-Law to prepare agendas for Council meetings with no authority to delay letters addressed to Council, it is in order for Council to give policy direction to the Common Clerk if Council wishes to receive information on fluoridation only once a month. Councillor M. Vincent suggested that, should the City Manager or Common Clerk receive documentation they believe has an immediate priority, they can circumvent the policy and, in noting the time expended at this meeting in this regard, suggested that there are matters more important for Council to discuss than fluoridation on which a decision has already been reached. Question being taken, the motion was carried with the Mayor and Councillors Davis, Gould and Knibb voting "nay". On motion of Councillor Flewwelling Seconded by Councillor M. Vincent RESOLVED that the letter from Mayor Wayne submitting a letter from Mr. Robert Hornung, Ozone Campaign Coordinator of Friends of the Earth of Ottawa, Ontario, requesting that the City consider passing a by- law regulating the use of ozone-depleting substances -- be referred to the Saint John Environment Committee and the Provincial Department of the Environment. Question being taken, the motion was carried. Consideration was given to a letter from Councillor Fitzpatrick advising that, with regard to Common Council resolution of February 5, 1990 concerning the formation of a committee of Council to look into all aspects and ramifications of his proposal for development of the Howe's Lake dump site, it was his belief that this would be done by the Nominating Committee by the meeting of February 12, 1990; suggesting that there could be an attempt to surpass the formation of this committee until after the report from the Civic Centre Committee; and recommending that the committee be comprised of Councillors Albert A. Vincent, Sam Davis, Joseph Coughlan, Mel Vincent and Hugh Fitzpatrick, on the basis that it is important that these thought-provoking ideas be studied immediately to see if they have any validity. On motion of Councillor Fitzpatrick Seconded by Councillor Rogers RESOLVED that a Council Committee, to be called the Howe's Lake Development Committee, comprised of Councillors Albert Vincent, Sam Davis, Joseph Coughlan, Mel Vincent and Hugh Fitzpatrick, be appointed to look into all aspects and ramifications of Councillor Fitzpatrick's proposal for the development of the Howe's Lake dump site. The propriety of the above motion was questioned by Councillor Flewwelling on the basis that the Nominating Committee has the responsibility to 82-230 COMMON COUNCIL FEBRUARY 19, 1990 nominate persons to committees, to which Mr. Rodgers replied that Council can proceed in either manner. Question being taken, the motion was carried. Read a letter from Councillor Flewwelling advising his intent to take this opportunity to place before Council what, he believes, would be a substantial financial saving in the construction of a new Number 7 Fire Station on the West Side of the City. Councillor Flewwelling advised that he has been informed recently that the insurance underwriter who accompanied City staff in reviewing locations for fire stations did not agree with the staff as to the location on Ready Street and that, having visited with Deputy Mayor Gould the present location of Number 7 Station, he recognizes that the property concerned, which is owned by the City, is large enough to house a larger fire station than now exists; and also advised that the building known as the Orange Lodge across the street from Number 7 Station is to be demolished thereby allowing a greater view for drivers coming out of Number 7 Station of traffic to be seen on Manawagonish Road and other places and possibly giving greater space for maneuvering because it will be a parking area. Councillor Flewwelling expressed the opinion that Numbers 6 and 7 Fire Stations will never amalgamate and Number 7 equipment and firefighters would be temporarily lodged elsewhere until the present Station is torn down and a new station constructed in the same area thus saving the City over $200,000. On motion of Councillor Flewwelling Seconded by Councillor Gould RESOLVED that Council request that the City Manager name staff or an independent agent to again review the Number 7 Station location with a view to constructing a new Number 7 Station on the City-owned land keeping in mind the large financial saving to the City. The Mayor suggested that it would have been better had the above information been referred to the City Manager and Fire Chief for review prior to proposing the above motion and expressed the understanding that the possibility of constructing a new station in the location of the Number 7 Station was reviewed and it was determined that, in order to put the necessary equipment in place on the West Side, this could not be done. Deputy Chief Tait assured Council that the insurance underwriter fully concurred with the Ready Street site, and the Mayor asked if Councillor Flewwelling and Deputy Mayor Gould would table the above matter for one week and review same with the City Manager, the Fire Chief, the Deputy Fire Chief, and the Director of Housing and Property Management. Deputy Chief Tait also confirmed that the site in question was considered and that, for a number of reasons, is unacceptable for the relocation of Number 7 Fire Station and expressed the opinion that the matter of consolidation has yet to be resolved and that the committee is still working hard in this regard and further that, regardless of whether or not consolidation occurs, the size of the station would remain as proposed as the Department is planning for the future and it would not fit on the site referred to above. Councillor Rogers questioned a reference in a recent newspaper article and in radio broadcasts to a ramp in the vicinity of Algonquin Place to which Deputy Chief Tait replied that the question of consolidation and the barriers at Simms Corner is being addressed by a separate committee to determine if there is a solution and that, with respect to Algonquin Place or any other solution, the committee is not yet at the stage to come before Council with any recommendation, and further that much of the quote in the newspaper was inaccurate. Councillor Fitzpatrick expressed opposition to the above motion on the basis that the issue is not the consolidation of Numbers 6 and 7 Stations, but rather the replacement of Number 7, that Council has been told that the present location is not adequate for the Fire Department's future plans and the question with respect to the underwriter has been answered. Councillor M. Vincent suggested that Council should have a report from the committee concerned on the railway barriers prior to making any decision in this regard and that, while he is prepared to accept Deputy Chief Tait's comments with respect to the insurance underwriter, Council might wish to invite Mr. Maker to meet with Council in Committee of the Whole on February 26 to advise Council of his position in this regard. 82-231 COMMON COUNCIL FEBRUARY 19, 1990 On motion of Councillor M. Vincent Seconded by Councillor Knibb RESOLVED that the above matter be laid on the table until Council receives an updated report from the civic committee and until Council hears from Mr. Maker at next week's Committee of the Whole meeting. Question being taken, the tabling motion was carried with Councillors Flewwelling, Gould and A. Vincent voting "nay". On motion of Councillor Knibb Seconded by Councillor Coughlan RESOLVED that the release from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities on the official languages controversy suggesting that the situation in New Brunswick is similar to that in Ontario, with municipalities effectively having the authority to deliver their services in whatever language or combination of languages they choose, and that the reality of Canadian demographic circumstances is such that most municipalities do not have a sufficiently large minority language population to make the delivery of services in the minority language a practical possibility, and that affirmations of unilingualism tend to do little more than restate local realities and therefore are without effect or practical consequence; and concluding that the FCM policy on official languages in Canadian municipalities states that "all Canadians and Canadian institutions and especially our three orders of government, should act with tolerance, civility, amity and generosity throughout Canada with regard to official language rights", and that it is the experience of FCM that Canadian municipalities have acted in and will continue to act in this fashion -- be received and filed. Question being taken, the motion was carried. On motion of Councillor Knibb Seconded by Councillor Flewwelling RESOLVED that as recommended by the City Manager, authority be granted for payment of the following progress certificate, namely:- 1. Maintenance BuildinQ - Adelaide Street Shamrock Construction Ltd. Original estimated value of contract Total work done, Estimate Number 4 Retention Payments previously approved Sum recommended for payment, Progress Estimate Number 4, dated February 14, 1990 $126,432.00 137,133.75 Nil 116,563.69 $ 20,570.06 Mr. Todd explained that many of the changes in the above contract resulted from the Building Inspector's request after the job had been tendered and that the building was originally built to be used as a garage and warehouse by the Parks Department and was subsequently changed in part for office use which necessitated many of the changes. (Councillors Davis and M. Vincent withdrew from the meeting.) Question being taken, the motion was carried. On motion of Councillor Knibb Seconded by Councillor Rogers RESOLVED that in accordance with the recommendation of the City Manager and the Fire Chief, the warrant of Mr. Barry Carleton for membership in the Saint John Salvage Corps and Fire Police be cancelled. 82-232 COMMON COUNCIL FEBRUARY 19, 1990 Question being taken, the motion was carried. On motion of Councillor Knibb Seconded by Councillor Coughlan RESOLVED that the report from the City Manager advising that the Chief of Police, on February 14, closed #5 Fire Station on Main Street North and relocated the apparatus and manpower to #8 Fire Station in Millidgeville as a precautionary step due to the Chief's concern with the structural soundness of the concrete apparatus floor; also advising that the floor has been inspected by the Building Inspector, staff of the Housing and Property Management Department and a private structural engineer and that, while all concur that collapse of the floor is not likely to occur in the short term, steps should be taken to shore up the floor on an interim basis while long-term solutions are investigated; explaining that deterioration of the concrete floor slab is due to salt penetration carried into the Station by the apparatus, similar to the problem encountered with the Brunswick Square and the City Hall parking garages; and further advising that, while an investigation and preparation of cost estimates is presently underway for a long-term resolution to the problem, precautionary action will be taken during the week of February 19, including installation of jackposts and steel plates in a grid pattern beneath the slab which, when completed which should be by February 23, the apparatus will be returned to the Station -- be received and filed. Councillor Fitzpatrick asked the estimated cost of temporary repairs to which Mr. Todd replied that the repairs will cost in the area of $5,000 to $6,000. Question being taken, the motion was carried. (Councillor Davis re-entered the meeting.) On motion of Councillor Knibb Seconded by Councillor Rogers RESOLVED that as recommended by the City Manager, authority be granted for payment of the following construction progress certificates, namely:- 1. Contract 89-3, Westmorland Road Grove Construction (1986) Inc. Street reconstruction 1989 Original estimated value of contract Total work done, Estimate Number 3 Retention (deficiency holdback) Payments previously approved Sum recommended for payment, Progress Estimate Number 3, dated February 7, 1990 Partial holdback release $442,288.45 414,273.61 1,540.00 350,592.57 $ 62,141.04 2. Contract 89-5, Charlotte Street West Watermain Renewal Que-Mar Construction (Maritimes) Ltd. Original estimated value of contract Total work done, Estimate Number 2 Retention Payments previously approved Sum recommended for payment, Progress Estimate Number 2, dated February 7, 1990 Final holdback release $121,555.00 111,668.45 Nil 86,912.92 $ 24,755.53 Question being taken, the motion was carried. On motion of Councillor Knibb Seconded by Councillor Rogers RESOLVED that the report from the City 82-233 COMMON COUNCIL FEBRUARY 19, 1990 Manager advising that Fire Chief Paul Stewart of the Simonds Local Service District, Fire Chief Ronald McDevitt and Commissioner J. Claude MacKinnon met on February 13 to discuss the matter of the storage of hazardous materials at Willow Grove, Route 111 on St. Martin's Highway, which was broached at Council's last meeting, and that the building in question is located approximately 3.2 miles from Loch Lomond Road on St. Martin's Highway, approximately 1.5 miles from the City boundary and 1.75 miles from the closest watershed boundary and contains 20 to 30 different chemicals in storage in metal containers, some of which could rupture and, as some of the chemicals are water soluble, could be a serious contaminant to the watertable, and further that, should the chemicals be involved in a fire, the smoke produced is lighter than air and would dispense, although it would be toxic; also advising that one product, Dutrex 1726, is highly toxic and is being moved this week; further advising that Fire Chief Stewart is preparing a report for the Minister of the Environment and will provide a copy to the City, and that Chief McDevitt has indicated that, if a request is received from the Simonds Local Service District, he will respond with a pumper, tanker, the chemical unit, the rescue unit, and car #2 from the City of Saint John; and recommending that the Minister of the Environment be informed of the City's concern relative to the storage of these hazardous materials at Willow Grove, and further that the Minister take the necessary steps to protect the Loch Lomond watershed from this possible contamination -- be received and filed and the recommendation adopted. Question being taken, the motion was carried. On motion of Councillor Knibb Seconded by Councillor Rogers RESOLVED that the report from the Chief of Police advising that, with regard to a letter from the Minister of Housing considered by Council on February 5 concerning the use by trucks of Champlain Drive which was also questioned at Council's last meeting, a Force directive was issued to all personnel, in particular the Eastern Zone and traffic cars, to pay particular attention to this route and ensure that violators are charged accordingly; commenting on an instance on February 14 involving the movement of a large modular home, constructed at the New Brunswick Community College, in concert with a trucking firm which arranged through the Department of Transportation for a special permit to transport an oversized load on Champlain Drive rather than Grandview Avenue, Bayside Drive or Rothesay Avenue due to the heavy volume of traffic and the large number of low overhead wires, etc. on the latter three highways, and that the alternate route of Grandview Avenue to Heatherway to Hickey Road was not used because of the grade and narrowness of the roadway, the turns, the large number of low overhead wires, etc.; and concluding that frequent patrols in the area will continue to be maintained with a view to apprehending and prosecuting violators -- be received and filed. Question being taken, the motion was carried. On motion of Councillor Knibb Seconded by Councillor Coughlan RESOLVED that the by-law entitled, "By-Law Number C.P. 100-197 A Law To Amend The Zoning By-Law Of The City Of Saint John", insofar as it concerns re-zoning a parcel of land at 450 Westmorland Road (L.R.I.S. Number 55061147), having an area of 43,721 square metres and a frontage on Westmorland Road of 195 metres, from "1-2" Heavy Industrial to "SC" Shopping Centre classification, be read a third time and enacted and the Corporate Common Seal be affixed thereto: AND FURTHER that pursuant to Section 39 of the Community Planning Act, the said re-zoning be subject to an agreement with the applicant. The by-law entitled, "By-Law Number C.P. 100-197 A Law To Amend The Zoning By-Law Of The City Of Saint John", was read in its entirety. Question being taken, the motion was carried with Councillor Flewwelling voting "nay". 82-234 COMMON COUNCIL FEBRUARY 19, 1990 On motion of Councillor Knibb Seconded by Councillor A. Vincent RESOLVED that the by-law entitled, "By-Law Number C.P. 100-198 A Law To Amend The Zoning By-Law Of The City Of Saint John", insofar as it concerns re-zoning a parcel of land at 500 Westmorland Road (L. RI.S. Number 55061139), having an area of 31,057 square metres and a frontage on Westmorland Road of 195 metres, from "1-2" Heavy Industrial to "SC" Shopping Centre classification, be read a third time and enacted and the Corporate Common Seal be affixed thereto: AND FURTHER that pursuant to Section 39 of the Community Planning Act, the said re-zoning be subject to an agreement with the applicant. Question being taken, the motion was carried with Councillor Flewwelling voting "nay". On motion of Councillor Fitzpatrick Seconded by Councillor Knibb RESOLVED that the by-law entitled, "A Law To Amend The Saint John City Centre Preservation Area By-Law, by designating property known as the Quinton Farmhouse, situated at 1260 Manawagonish Road, as a preservation area pursuant to the Municipal Heritage Preservation Act, be read a third time and enacted and the Corporate Common Seal be affixed thereto. The by-law entitled, "A Law To Amend The Saint John City Centre Preservation Area By-Law", was read in its entirety. Question being taken, the motion was carried. Read report of the Committee of the Whole (as follows) To the COMMON COUNCIL of the City of Saint John The Committee of the Whole reports Your Committee begs leave to report that it sat on February 12, 1990, when there were present Mayor Wayne and Councillors Coughlan, Davis, Fitzpatrick, Flewwelling, Gould, Knibb, Landers, Rogers and M. Vincent, and your Committee submits the following recommendation, namely:- 1. That a grant of $3,000 be approved for Saint John and Western District Crime Stoppers. February 19, 1990, Saint John, N.B. Respectfully submitted, (sgd.) Elsie E. Wayne, C h air man. On motion of Councillor Knibb Seconded by Councillor Fitzpatrick RESOLVED that the above report be received and filed and the recommendation therein be adopted. Question being taken, the motion was carried. Consideration was given to a letter from The Market Square Corporation advising that Parks Canada has requested a formal amendment of the February 1988 agreement for funding for the City Market project which provided for specific funding in 82-235 COMMON COUNCIL FEBRUARY 19, 1990 four fiscal years totalling $1,000,000, such amendment to reflect changes in timing only and does not affect the total amount of funding being provided; also advising that the Corporation has approved the changes; and recommending that Council adopt a resolution authorizing execution of the amendment. On motion of Councillor Knibb Seconded by Councillor Gould RESOLVED that as recommended by The Market Square Corporation, the Mayor and Common Clerk be authorized to execute the submitted amendment to the cost-sharing agreement with Parks Canada for funding for the restoration of the Saint John City Market. Question being taken, the motion was carried. On motion of Councillor Knibb Seconded by Councillor Rogers RESOLVED that the application of Scott Bros. Ltd. for the re-zoning of 50 Eagle Boulevard be referred to the Planning Advisory Committee for a report and recommendation and that the necessary advertising be authorized in this regard, with the public hearing to be held on April 9, 1990. Question being taken, the motion was carried. On motion of Councillor Knibb Seconded by Councillor Rogers RESOLVED that the letter from C. L. Buckley requesting that the City give consideration to the construction of a sidewalk and curb along the north side of Woodward Avenue between Brentwood Estates and the corner of Woodward Avenue and Boar's Head Road, and that Council support this request because it is in accord with the Millidgeville Plan adopted by Council and because it would improve pedestrian safety along this portion of Woodward Avenue -- be referred to the City Manager for consideration in the 1990 Capital Budget. Question being taken, the motion was carried. On motion of Councillor Knibb Seconded by Councillor Rogers RESOLVED that the letter from Jean B. Francis suggesting that the financing intended for the fluoridation program should be used to improve, rather than contaminate, the environment and that a start would be to move the Spruce Lake dumpsite so that perhaps the seagulls that pollute that water may move also, as well as to assist policing the water supply and upgrade the existing sewerage system; and recommending that U.N.B. be retained to carry out a survey and find out just what percentage of our young population drinks water on the basis that, if the main reason to fluoridate is for the benefit of children's teeth, young people do not drink much water -- be received and filed. Question being taken, the motion was carried. On motion of Councillor Knibb Seconded by Councillor Fitzpatrick RESOLVED that this meeting be adjourned. Question being taken, the motion was carried. 82-236 COMMON COUNCIL FEBRUARY 19, 1990 Common Clerk