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1990-10-22_Minutes 82-599 COMMON COUNCIL OCTOBER 22, 1990 At a meeting of the Common Council, held at the City Hall in the City of Saint John, on Monday, the twenty-second day of October, AD. 1990, at 4:00 o'clock p.m. present Elsie E. Wayne, Mayor Councillors Coughlan, Davis, Fitzpatrick, Flewwelling, Gould, Knibb, Landers, Rogers and M. Vincent - and - Messrs. G. Taylor, City Manager; F. Rodgers, City Solicitor; D. Wilson, Commissioner of Finance; C. Robichaud, Assistant City Manager - Operations; J. Brown, Assistant City Manager- Development; J. C. MacKinnon, Commissioner of Environment and Infrastructure Services; P. Groody, Commissioner of Human Resources; S. Armstrong, Director of Engineering; S. Bedford, Director of Community Planning; W. D. Todd, Director of Housing and Property Management; S. Galbraith, Director of Supply and Services; D. Sherwood, Chief of Police; B. Thompson, Deputy Chief of Police; G. Tait, Deputy Fire Chief; M. Hanlon, Purchasing Agent; Mrs. M. Munford, Common Clerk; and Ms. C. Joyce, Assistant Common Clerk. Her Worship the Mayor offered the opening prayer. On motion of Councillor Flewwelling Seconded by Councillor Knibb RESOLVED that minutes of the meeting of Common Council, held on October 15, 1990, be approved. Question being taken, the motion was carried. Her Worship the Mayor commented on the Canadian Men and Women's National Touch Football Championships to be held in Saint John on October 26 to 28; and proclaimed October 22-28 to be Pastoral Care Week, October 22-28 to be Block Parent Week, October 21 to 27 to be Foster Family Week, and Friday, October 26 to be Affordable Housing Day in the City of Saint John. Councillor Landers extended congratulations to the members of the former Saint John Alpine Basketball Team for their victory over the Moncton Schooners in Moncton during the past weekend. (Councillor M. Vincent entered the meeting.) On motion of Councillor Knibb Seconded by Councillor Rogers RESOLVED that the letter from Mayor Wayne submitting a letter from Premier Frank McKenna commenting on the progress made to date by the tri-Ievel committee, and confirming the Province's financial support of a maximum of $12.4 million towards the construction of a regional exhibition centre and its agreement to pay one-third, up to a maximum of $250,000, of the total preliminary engineering design costs, provided the remaining two thirds, or $500,000, is shared between the Federal Government and the City of Saint John, this Provincial contribution towards the design and construction of a regional exhibition centre representing the total financial allocation to this project by the Province; and recommending that the Premier's letter be received and filed and Council express appreciation to the Province of New Brunswick for its total financial contribution to the project -- be received and filed and the recommendation adopted. Question being taken, the motion was carried. 82-600 COMMON COUNCIL OCTOBER 22, 1990 On motion of Councillor Knibb Seconded by Councillor Coughlan RESOLVED that the letter from Mayor Wayne submitting a copy of a Statement of Receipts and Disbursements for the year ended September 30, 1990 for the Saint John Participaction Committee -- be received and filed and Council express appreciation to the Committee. The Mayor advised that the Committee will be considering whether or not to continue to participate in Participaction Day and Council will be advised accordingly. Question being taken, the motion was carried. On motion of Councillor Flewwelling Seconded by Councillor Rogers RESOLVED that the letter from Councillor Flewwelling requesting that the following information concerning the auction of City vehicles and equipment on October 6 be made available:- (1) the number of auctioneers invited to tender; (2) the number tendered; (3) who had the highest tender and at what percentage; (4) how many vehicles were sold and what other equipment; and (5) the gross amount of money received by the City from the auction -- be received and referred to the City Manager. Question being taken, the motion was carried. 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 invoice, namely:- Standard PavinQ Supply of asphalt Maritime Limited September 26-0ctober 2, 1990 $72,259.07 Question being taken, the motion was carried. On motion of Councillor Knibb Seconded by Councillor Fitzpatrick RESOLVED that as recommended by the City Manager, authority be granted for payment of the following construction progress certificate, namely:- 1. Contract 89-14 - Chain Link FencinQ Eastern Fence Limited Original estimated value of contract Total work done, Estimate Number 2 Retention Payments previously approved Sum recommended for payment, Progress Estimate Number 2, dated October 11, 1990 Final holdback release $23,412.08 22,095.97 Nil 18,781.57 $ 3,314.40 Question being taken, the motion was carried. On motion of Councillor Flewwelling Seconded by Councillor Knibb RESOLVED that as recommended by the City Manager, the submitted information received by the Tourism Department from delegates to the recent Society of American Travel Writers Convention, hosted in Saint John -- be received and filed. Question being taken, the motion was carried. 82-601 COMMON COUNCIL OCTOBER 22, 1990 On motion of Councillor Flewwelling Seconded by Councillor Knibb RESOLVED that as recommended by the City Manager, the tender of Erb's Enterprises Ltd., in the amount of $46,000, be accepted for renovations to the 5th and 6th floors of City Hall occupied by the Police Department. Councillor Fitzpatrick asked the amount expended on renovations to the Police Department in the last year and for the last three years to which Mr. Todd replied that, in 1990 with the approval of the above tender, approximately $90,000 will have been expended and that it will be necessary to review the files to determine the amount expended during the last three years. Question being taken, the motion was carried. On motion of Councillor Flewwelling Seconded by Councillor Fitzpatrick RESOLVED that as recommended by the City Manager, contract 90-24, Gault Road pump station control valves, be awarded to Security Mechanical Ltd., at the tendered price of $38,890, and that the Mayor and Common Clerk be authorized to execute the necessary contract documents. Question being taken, the motion was carried. On motion of Councillor M. Vincent Seconded by Councillor Knibb RESOLVED that as recommended by the City Manager, the tender for operating a canteen concession at the Stu Hurley Arena be awarded to Fred Little Convenience at a fee of $450, and that the Mayor and Common Clerk be authorized to execute the necessary contract documents. Question being taken, the motion was carried. On motion of Councillor Knibb Seconded by Councillor Rogers RESOLVED that as recommended by the City Manager, the tender of Atlantic Colas Ltd., at a cost of $148 per tonne for 1990 and $149 per tonne for 1991, be accepted for the supply of QPR2000 pavement repair material. Mr. Robichaud, in response to the Mayor's observation about the condition of a portion of McAllister Drive at its intersection with Loch Lomond Road, advised that staff is aware of the problem and it is under review; and Councillor M. Vincent noted that the same type of problem also exists on Golden Grove Road towards Rothesay Avenue and on another portion of McAllister Drive between Westmorland Road and Rothesay Avenue. Question being taken, the motion was carried. On motion of Councillor Knibb Seconded by Councillor Flewwelling RESOLVED that as recommended by the City Manager, contract 90-27, chain link fencing 1990, be awarded to the low tenderer, Fundy Fencing Ltd., at the tendered price of $26,253.10, and that the Mayor and Common Clerk be authorized to execute the necessary contract documents. Question being taken, the motion was carried. 82-602 COMMON COUNCIL OCTOBER 22, 1990 On motion of Councillor Knibb Seconded by Councillor Rogers RESOLVED that the report from the City Manager noting that the staff committee, which was established in March to identify and evaluate the options available to the City upon termination of the lease for City Hall in 1996 with Revenue Properties Ltd., provided him with a report of its recommendations on July 12 which was subsequently reviewed at the caucus meeting on July 25, and earlier this month an updated report on the financial implications of the City Hall lease was also presented to Common Council for discussion; advising that he has established a separate committee to proceed with the identification of the most appropriate location for a new police headquarters, separate from the alternatives which may be available to the rest of the City administration for further floor space, the membership composition of this committee to include staff from Police, Housing and Property Management, Community Planning and Finance, as well as a Local No. 61, C.U.P.E., representative; and also advising that, concurrent with the work on the police station, the original staff committee looking at City Hall will continue its activities to provide him with the options available for further floor space for the balance of the administration, and that it is anticipated that most of the work will be completed in- house, although consultants may be necessary to some extent, with any funds required to be identified within the 1991 budgeting process, and a projected timeframe for the completion of both the City Hall review and the Police Station study being early in 1991 -- be received and filed, and that the matter of Council membership on the above- mentioned committee be referred to the Nominating Committee. The mover and seconder of the motion to receive and file the above report concurred with the Mayor's suggestion to add to the motion a referral to the Nominating Committee of the matter of Council membership on the committee, and Councillor Coughlan suggested that the committee should take into consideration in its review the possibility of regional policing in the future. Question being taken, the motion was carried. Read a letter from the Common Clerk advising that, following the procedure for amendments to the Municipal Plan, the necessary advertising and public presentation regarding the submitted application of Regina Jordan, Alice Jordan and Edna Miller have been completed and that the required waiting period for objections expired on October 17, 1990, with no written objections having been received. On motion of Councillor Knibb Seconded by Councillor M. Vincent RESOLVED that the application of Regina Jordan, Alice Jordan and Edna Miller for a Municipal Plan amendment and re- zoning of property on St. Martins Road be referred to the Planning Advisory Committee for a recommendation and that the necessary advertising be authorized in this regard, with the public hearing to be held on December 10, 1990. 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 October 15, 1990, when there were present Mayor Wayne and Councillors Coughlan, Davis, Fitzpatrick, Flewwelling, Gould, Knibb, Landers and Rogers, and your Committee submits the following recommendations, namely:- 1. That as recommended by the City Manager, (a) Mr. Larry Gallant be named the City's nominee to the board of arbitration with respect to Local No. 18, 82-603 COMMON COUNCIL OCTOBER 22, 1990 C.U.P.E., grievance 90-34, concerning the packer truck operation - Sanitation; and (b) Mr. Dayle Messer be named the City's nominee to the board of arbitration with respect to Local No. 18, C.U.P.E., grievance 90-35 on behalf of Mr. Brian Reynolds. 2. That as recommended by the City Manager, authority be granted for payment of the invoice of 879310 Ontario Limited Sketches of Our Town, in the amount of $15,000, in order that the next steps in national and international syndication might proceed with respect to the City's participation in the production of a one-half hour syndicated television program on Saint John; and further that the City Manager arrange a viewing for members of Common Council and those who have contributed financially to this project prior to syndication. 3. That as recommended by the City Manager, the former Brooke Bond buildings be put back into an operational state, including the completion of the necessary roof repairs. October 22, 1990, Saint John, N.B. Respectfully submitted, (sgd.) Elsie E. Wayne, C h air man. On motion of Councillor Knibb Seconded by Councillor Rogers RESOLVED that section 1 of the above report be adopted. Question being taken, the motion was carried. On motion of Councillor Knibb Seconded by Councillor Landers RESOLVED that section 2 of the above report be adopted. Question being taken, the motion was carried. On motion of Councillor Rogers Seconded by Councillor Flewwelling RESOLVED that section 3 of the above report be adopted. Replying to a query of Councillor Rogers, Mr. Todd advised that, once the building is put back into operation which involves starting up the heating and plumbing systems again, the operating cost of the building is estimated at $40,000 per year, with the intent being to attempt to find some use for the building to recover some of the costs to be incurred. Question being taken, the motion was carried. On motion of Councillor Knibb Seconded by Councillor Flewwelling RESOLVED that the letter from Mr. Dan Gillcrist of St. Martins & District Lions Club advising of the Club's proposal to construct a bus shelter at the corner of the St. Martins Highway and Range Road -- be received with appreciation and referred to the City Manager. Question being taken, the motion was carried. On motion of Councillor Knibb Seconded by Councillor Flewwelling RESOLVED that the letter from the Courtenay District Scouts regarding its Trees for Canada project, involving the planting 82-604 COMMON COUNCIL OCTOBER 22, 1990 of trees in the former gravel pit in the Champlain Heights area in an attempt to improve its appearance and safety, and asking that Council take this matter into consideration and advise its decision -- be received and filed and the Scouts be thanked, and that the matter be referred to the City Manager to assist in the location of the trees. Question being taken, the motion was carried. On motion of Councillor Knibb Seconded by Councillor Rogers RESOLVED that the letter from The North End Improvement Corp. Inc. regarding recent newspaper articles concerning the demolition of four older houses near the corner of Main Street and Douglas Avenue and Thorcor's proposed development project; expressing the opinion that, based on its experience, it would not be prudent to try to save these old houses, and giving its complete recommendation to the Thorcor project -- be received and filed. Councillor Landers asked the status of the Douglas Avenue heritage study and how the above relates to the study to which Councillor Rogers, a member of the Preservation Review Board, advised that the study is anticipated to be completed early in 1991 and that, with regard to Thorcor, the Board has developed terms of reference to deal particularly with the Thorcor development. Question being taken, the motion was carried. On motion of Councillor Knibb Seconded by Councillor Davis RESOLVED that the letter from Mary Dowd registering support for the suggestion put forward recently by Councillor Coughlan with regard to the location of Council meetings, and suggesting that the idea of holding meetings occasionally in parts of the City, other than City Hall, is certainly worth a trial -- be received and referred to the City Manager. Question being taken, the motion was carried. On motion of Councillor Knibb Seconded by Councillor Rogers RESOLVED that the letter from the Saint John Naturalists Club expressing its unanimous opposition to any housing development in Rockwood Park -- be received and referred to the City Manager and the Rockwood Park Advisory Board. The Mayor asked the City Manager to determine why the tent/trailer area of Rockwood Park is closed in view of the number of persons who travel in the fall of the year and require a campground. Question being taken, the motion was carried with Councillor Fitzpatrick voting "nay". On motion of Councillor Knibb Seconded by Councillor Landers RESOLVED that the letter from Lana Berryman requesting permission to place a mobile home on her parents' property on Old Black River Road -- be referred to the City Manager for a report at the next meeting. Councillor Knibb agreed to change his initial motion to grant permission for a temporary permit upon the Mayor's observation that the City Manager would like an opportunity to review the request for a report at the next meeting. Question being taken, the motion was carried. 82-605 COMMON COUNCIL OCTOBER 22, 1990 On motion of Councillor Fitzpatrick Seconded by Councillor Gould RESOLVED that the letter from the Saint John Board of Trade advising that its nominee to the Port Development Commission is Mr. David G. Barry, be received and filed. Question being taken, the motion was carried. On motion of Councillor Fitzpatrick Seconded by Councillor Knibb RESOLVED that the letter from the District Waterfront Council, I.L.A, Port of Saint John, N.B., and Vicinity, advising that its nominee to the Port Development Commission is Mr. James W. Orr -- be received and filed. Question being taken, the motion was carried. On motion of Councillor M. Vincent Seconded by Councillor Knibb RESOLVED that the letter from Mr. E.F. Cormier, General Manager - New Brunswick of Moosehead Breweries Limited, making the observation that environment and the impact of local industry is an issue that is receiving increasing attention in the City of Saint John, as well as all of North America, and that Premier McKenna's recent comments at the Board of Trade/I PAC luncheon and a recent newspaper article have motivated him to write to Council to explain what Moosehead is doing with respect to its impact on the local environment; updating Council on how Moosehead currently deals with effluent, solid waste and packaging; and concluding that Moosehead will continue to be an environmentally-responsible corporate citizen and is always ready to co-operate in not only meeting but where possible exceeding any environmental standards that are set by responsible agencies - - be received and filed with appreciation, and a copy be forwarded to the tri-Ievel committee and to The City of Saint John Environment Committee. The Mayor asked that a copy of the above letter be forwarded to the tri- level committee which will be dealing with environmental issues again, and Councillor Landers requested that a copy also be referred to the City's Environment Committee. Question being taken, the motion was carried. On motion of Councillor Knibb Seconded by Councillor M. Vincent RESOLVED that the letter from Dr. Stephen Weyman advising that the article in the October 17 issue of The Evening Times-Globe newspaper concerning his objection to the possibility of re-zoning part of Rockwood Park for private, quality, residential use, was correct, but only dealt with the economics; and asking Council to keep the large central areas of this unique municipal park in its natural green state to support a pleasant, healthy, urban way of life, and for future park development -- be referred to the City Manager and the Rockwood Park Advisory Board. Question being taken, the motion was carried. 82-606 COMMON COUNCIL OCTOBER 22, 1990 On motion of Councillor Knibb Seconded by Councillor Flewwelling RESOLVED that this meeting be adjourned. Question being taken, the motion was carried. Common Clerk