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1996-12-23_Minutes 86-198 COMMON COUNCIL DECEMBER 23, 1996 At a meeting of the Common Council, held at the City Hall in the City of Saint John, on Monday, the twenty-third day of December, A.D. 1996, at 7:00 o'clock p.m. present Shirley McAlary, Mayor Councillors Arthurs, Chase, Fitzpatrick, Gould, Knibb, Trites, Vincent and Waldschutz - and - Messrs. D. Wilson, Acting City Manager; J. C. MacKinnon, Commissioner of Environment and Development Services; P. Groody, Commissioner of Human Resources; W. Butler, Commissioner of Community Services; G. Yeomans, Acting Deputy Commissioner of Finance; S. Armstrong, Director of Engineering; D. Logan, Purchasing Agent; D. Sherwood, Chief of Police; G. Tait, Fire Chief; Ms. L. Farrell, Solicitor; Mrs. M. Munford, Common Clerk; and Ms. C. Joyce, Assistant Common Clerk. 1. MeetinQ Called To Order - OpeninQ Prayer Mayor McAlary called the meeting to order, and Reverend Tim Davidson, Pastor of the Saint John Vineyard Church, offered the opening prayer. 2. Approval of Minutes On motion of Councillor Knibb Seconded by Councillor Vincent RESOLVED that minutes of the meeting of Common Council, held on December 16, 1996, be approved. Question being taken, the motion was carried. 3(a) Uptown Saint John Inc. 1997 Budget (b) Business Improvement Levy By-Law The Common Clerk advised that the necessary advertising was completed with regard to the request of the Board of Directors of Uptown Saint John Inc. for Common Council's approval of a budget for the designated Business Improvement Area, which includes a special business improvement levy of 12 cents per $100 of assessment for 1997 on business property within the area as designated by Council, and no written objections were received in this regard. 3{a) On motion of Councillor Knibb Seconded by Deputy Mayor Chase RESOLVED that as requested by the Board of Directors of Uptown Saint John Inc., Common Council approve the 1997 budget for the Business Improvement Area as follows:- REVENUE Business Improvement Area Levy Employment grants Interest income Ornament revenue Christmas Open House Map & Directory South End Social Sponsorships Total Revenue $179,500 2,000 8,000 30,000 2,000 2,000 o 16,500 $240,000 86-199 COMMON COUNCIL DECEMBER 23, 1996 EXPENDITURE: Public Relations Urban Design Committee Marketing Uptown & Around/Streetscope Parking Business Development Residential Development Strategic Projects Office and Administration 4,000 3,700 70,000 25,900 7,000 5,200 5,000 o $119.200 $240,000 Excess of Revenue over Expenditure o Question being taken, the motion was carried. 3{b) On motion of Councillor Knibb Seconded by Councillor Vincent RESOLVED that the by-law to amend the Business Improvement Levy By-Law be read a first time. Question being taken, the motion was carried. Read a first time the by-law to amend the Business Improvement Levy By-Law. On motion of Councillor Knibb Seconded by Councillor Vincent RESOLVED that the by-law to amend the Business Improvement Levy By-Law be read a second time. Question being taken, the motion was carried. Read a second time the by-law to amend the Business Improvement Levy By-Law. The Mayor, in noting the shortage of time in that this is the last Common Council meeting of 1996, called for a motion to declare the existence of an emergency in order for third reading of the above By-Law to be given at this time. On motion of Councillor Knibb Seconded by Councillor Vincent RESOLVED that an emergency be declared to exist and the above By-law be given third reading at this meeting. Question being taken, the motion was carried. On motion of Councillor Knibb Seconded by Councillor Vincent RESOLVED that the by-law entitled,"By- Law Number B-114-8 A Law To Amend The Business Improvement Levy By-Law", be read a third time and enacted and the Common Corporate Seal be affixed thereto. The by-law entitled,"By-Law Number B-114-8 A Law To Amend The Business Improvement Levy By-Law", was read in its entirety. Question being taken, the motion was carried. 86-200 COMMON COUNCIL DECEMBER 23, 1996 * Added Item On motion of Councillor Knibb Seconded by Deputy Mayor Chase RESOLVED that a Committee of the Whole report, dated December 23, 1996, regarding Nominating Committee recommendations, be added to the agenda of this meeting as item 6A. Question being taken, the motion was carried. 4. Local 61 - Working Relationship With ManaQement & Implementation Team Read a letter from Mayor McAlary advising that Local 61 will be making a public presentation on its commitment to work with management and on the implementation team with Mr. Keith Taylor, similar to its presentation in Committee of the Whole. Mayor McAlary welcomed to the meeting members of the Saint John Policemen's Protective Association, Local No. 61, CUPE:- Cst. D. Parks, President; Cst. B. Daley, 3rd Vice President; Sgt. P. Bonner, 5th Vice President; Cst. S. Patterson, Recording Secretary; Cst. D. Secord, Grievance Committee; Cst. D. Oram, Executive Assistant; Cpl. L. Sutton, Pension Representative; Cst. F. Morton, Warden; Inspector 1. Sully, Treasurer; Cst. C. Haney, member, of the Saint John Policemen's Protective Association, Local No. 61, C.U.P.E.; and advised the intent of Local 61 to make public at this time its presentation to Council in Committee of the Whole a few weeks ago. Mr. Parks, in thanking Council for the opportunity to make this presentation, advised that Local 61, although it has a few concerns with the Perivale + Taylor report and recommendations, is committed to making the Saint John Police Force second to none in this country, all having a vested interest in the Force, with the Force's success being their success. Mr. Parks expressed the view that it would take a major change in attitude on behalf of Police management and Local 61 in order to improve the Force, and that both sides would have to deal with an open, up-front and honest atmosphere in order to build the much-needed trust that is necessary to have the review put in place. Mr. Parks also advised that Chief Sherwood has committed to him to work with Local 61 for the betterment of the Force; and suggested that, as only through working together collectively would the report be implemented to its fullest and betterment of everybody in the City, it would have been nice to have had the entire management team make the same commitment at this meeting as Local 61 was making. Mr. Parks expressed agreement with Council's structuring of an implementation committee as the proper way to implement the review, as well as Local 61 's appreciation for having been offered seats on it; and commented on the basis that the implementation committee could not and should not deal with any negotiating matters, but rather the implementation committee should go through the Perivale + Taylor report, taking the issues that involve collective bargaining and sending them to the proper negotiating committees on both sides. Mr. Parks stated Local 61 's willingness to work with whoever is in Police management for the betterment of the Force; re-iterated that only through an open, up-front and honest relationship that the trust will be rebuilt; concurred with the thrust of the Perivale + Taylor report of the need to upgrade communications immensely; and concluded that, only through working together by using the interest-based negotiations process, would the Force be able to overcome the difficulties of the past ten years and move forward together. The Mayor advised that Mr. Keith Taylor of Perivale + Taylor will be in Saint John on January 6, 1997 to get the implementation committee set up, and during discussion Mr. Parks expressed the need for Police management, the Police Union, the staff of City Hall and Common Council to work together in order to resolve some of the problems; advised the Union's support of the concept of community-based policing and the need to find the best possible module to fit the needs of Saint John which is a very distinct separate community in that what would work in the South End would not work in the North End or West Side of the City; and stressed the need to rebuild the trust among the Union, management and staff of City Hall. 86-201 COMMON COUNCIL DECEMBER 23, 1996 5. Chief Of Police - Implementation Plan For Community-Based PolicinQ Consideration was given to a report from the Chief of Police referring to the November 4, 1996 Committee of the Whole resolution requesting presentation of a specific implementation plan related to a move to community-based policing; setting out a mission statement developed by the Saint John Police Force and strategies that would be necessary to adopt to implement community-based policing; and recommending that Common Council (1) endorse the philosophy of community-based policing in the City of Saint John; and (2) authorize the Chief of Police, appropriate staff and employees of the Police Force to initiate the necessary changes to bring about a community-based policing approach to service delivery in Saint John, commencing in January 1997. The Mayor noted the Chief of Police's presentation to Council of the implementation plan for community-based policing at the December 16 Committee of the Whole meeting at which time Council referred it to the implementation team, and suggested that, as the above plan represents the Chief of Police's views and as it is necessary for Local 61 to be part of community-based policing, it would be in order for the implementation plan, which is worked out by the implementation team, to be made public. Councillor Vincent proposed a motion, which was seconded by Councillor Fitzpatrick, to refer the above report to the implementation team for consideration and discussion. Councillor Trites suggested that, as Council in Committee of the Whole on December 16 adopted the first half of the recommendation, this endorsement should be added to the motion, and Councillor Knibb suggested that, as was done at the December 16 Committee of the Whole meeting, Council should also publicly endorse the mission statement as included in the Chief's report, and the mover and seconder agreed with the suggested inclusions. On motion of Councillor Vincent Seconded by Councillor Fitzpatrick RESOLVED that Common Council endorse the philosophy of community-based policing in the City of Saint John and that the following mission statement be publicly endorsed in cooperation with the management and the Union of the Saint John Police Force:- "The Saint John Police Force working in partnership with the community is committed to preserving and enhancing the quality of life in the City of Saint John by making it a safer place in which to live, work and play."; and further that the Chief of Police's recommendation that Common Council authorize the Chief of Police, appropriate staff and employees of the Police Force to initiate the necessary changes to bring about a community-based policing approach to service delivery in Saint John, commencing in January 1997 -- be referred to the implementation committee being formed. Question being taken, the motion was carried. 6. Mayor's Remarks Mayor McAlary extended season's greetings on behalf of Common Council, noting the First Night Celebration on December 31 and the Mayor's Levee on January 1, 1997; and a message of condolence was extended to the family of the late Mr. Robert N. Fry, who passed away on December 18, 1996. *6A. Committee Of The Whole Report Read the report of the Committee of the Whole (as follows) To the COMMON COUNCIL of the City of Saint John 86-202 COMMON COUNCIL DECEMBER 23, 1996 The Committee of the Whole reports Your Committee reports that it sat on December 23, 1996, when there were present Mayor McAlary and Councillors Arthurs, Chase, Fitzpatrick, Gould, Knibb, Trites, Vincent and Waldschutz, and your Committee submits the following recommendations, namely:- 1. That Harry Sanipass, Helen Reed and Dr. Ann Condon be appointed to the Fort LaTour Development Authority for a term of three years, effective January 1, 1997. 2. That G. A. (Sandy) Robertson, Janet E. Donahue and Allison Lowe be appointed to the Planning Advisory Committee for a term of three years, effective January 1, 1997. 3. That Michael D. Bonga and Frank J. Hogan be appointed to the Environment Committee for a term of three years, effective January 1, 1997. 4. That David G. Barry, Q.C. (Board of Trade nominee), Stephen D. MacMackin, John D. Gardner and Bruce J. Dowd be appointed to the Greater Saint John Economic Development Commission (Enterprise Saint John) for a term of three years. 5. That Martha Edwards, Henry Meinhardt and Anne Jeffries be re- appointed to the Board of Commissioners of the Saint John Free Public Library for a term of three years, effective January 1, 1997. 6. That Douglas Steeves and Robert Tilley be appointed to the Board of Trustees of the Lord Beaverbrook Rink at Saint John, Inc. for a term of three years, effective January 1, 1997. 7. That Donald LeBlanc, David D. Garey, AI H. Bennett, Tim Flood, Clifford Lawrence and Roy Murphy (Rotary Club nominee) be re-appointed to the Board of Directors of Saint John Non-Profit Housing Inc. for a term of three years, effective January 1, 1997. 8. That Robert W. Ring and Valerie Evans be appointed to the Preservation Review Board for a term of three years, effective January 1, 1997, and that David Goss be appointed to the said Board for a term to expire December 31, 1998. 9. That C. Suzanne Ball be appointed to the Board of Directors of Saint John Industrial Parks Ltd. 10. That with regard to the suggestion of the Saint John Chapter of the Canadian Citizenship Federation and the Multicultural Association of Saint John, Inc. that Council appoint a liaison regarding the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Canadian Citizenship Act, Council advise the said groups that while it wishes them well in this endeavour, it has chosen at this time not to appoint a liaison, but would ask that Council be kept informed of plans for the said anniversary. December 23, 1996, Saint John, N.B. Respectfully submitted, (sgd.) Shirley McAlary, C h air man. *6A.1. Fort LaTour Development Authority Appointments On motion of Councillor Knibb Seconded by Councillor Arthurs RESOLVED that section 1 of the above report be adopted. 86-203 COMMON COUNCIL DECEMBER 23, 1996 Question being taken, the motion was carried. *6A.2. Planning Advisory Committee Appointments On motion of Councillor Knibb Seconded by Councillor Gould RESOLVED that section 2 of the above report be adopted. Question being taken, the motion was carried. *6A.3. Environment Committee Appointments On motion of Deputy Mayor Chase Seconded by Councillor Knibb RESOLVED that section 3 of the above report be adopted. Question being taken, the motion was carried. *6A.4. Greater Saint John Economic Development Commission Appointments On motion of Councillor Trites Seconded by Councillor Knibb RESOLVED that section 4 of the above report be adopted. Question being taken, the motion was carried. *6A.5. Saint John Free Public Library Appointments On motion of Councillor Knibb Seconded by Councillor Trites RESOLVED that section 5 of the above report be adopted. Question being taken, the motion was carried. *6A.6. Lord Beaverbrook Rink Appointments On motion of Councillor Trites Seconded by Councillor Fitzpatrick RESOLVED that section 6 of the above report be adopted. Question being taken, the motion was carried. *6A.7. Saint John Non-Profit HousinQ Inc. Appointments On motion of Councillor Knibb Seconded by Councillor Trites RESOLVED that section 7 of the above report be adopted. Question being taken, the motion was carried. 86-204 COMMON COUNCIL DECEMBER 23, 1996 *6A.8. Preservation Review Board Appointments On motion of Councillor Waldschutz Seconded by Councillor Arthurs RESOLVED that section 8 of the above report be adopted. Question being taken, the motion was carried. *6A.9. Saint John Industrial Parks Ltd. Appointment On motion of Councillor Trites Seconded by Councillor Arthurs RESOLVED that section 9 of the above report be adopted. Question being taken, the motion was carried. *6A.10. Re 50th Anniversary - Canadian Citizenship Act On motion of Councillor Knibb Seconded by Councillor Arthurs RESOLVED that section 10 of the above report be adopted. Question being taken, the motion was carried. 7. Maritime Seacoast Advisory Board Request For Support For User-Pay Cost Recoverv Initiatives Consideration was given to a letter from Mayor McAlary submitting correspondence from the Saint John Port Corporation regarding the Maritime Seacoast Advisory Board's work with the Canadian Coast Guard to formulate an appropriate rate structure of the user-pay cost recovery initiatives implemented in June 1996, and requesting support in these initiatives through a letter to the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, local MPs and the Chairman of the Standing Committee on Fisheries; and recommending that Council send a letter in support to the Minister. On motion of Councillor Knibb Seconded by Deputy Mayor Chase RESOLVED that Common Council support the Maritime Seacoast Advisory Board in the above regard by sending a letter to the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans. Question being taken, the motion was carried. 8. Former Odeon Theatre Read a letter from Councillor Waldschutz referring to the issuance of a demolition permit for the former Odeon Theatre on Charlotte Street and the Provincial Planning Appeal Board's subsequent denial of an appeal in this regard; expressing the view that Council should use whatever moral and non-threatening suasion it can bring to bear to discourage the loss of this building; and asking for Council's support to send a letter from the Mayor and Council along the lines of the submitted draft. 86-205 COMMON COUNCIL DECEMBER 23, 1996 On motion of Councillor Waldschutz Seconded by Deputy Mayor Chase RESOLVED that a letter be sent to Mr. David Sobey, Chairman of Sobey's Inc., from the Mayor and Council with respect to the King's Square/Odeon Cinema, similar to that submitted above. Councillor Waldschutz, in expressing the view that the destruction of the former Odeon Theatre would be a major loss to the fabric of the City of Saint John, suggested the possible use of the building for the location of an IMAX theatre or a rehearsal facility for the Imperial Theatre. Mayor McAlary questioned a possible restriction that the building could not be used as a theatre in the future, and questioned the future use for the subject property. Councillor Trites asked if the Sobey Family has been contacted with regard to their efforts to market the property; expressed concern about forwarding a letter of the nature proposed which indicates that an opportunity still exists for this building and expressing optimism that a mechanism can be found to allow the building and Empire Theatre to continue to contribute to the history of cinematography in Saint John in that he does not know if this is the case and he does not have that optimism at the present time as the building has been on the market for a period of time; and suggested that such a letter could indicate that Council might be willing to become the guardian of the building, such as the case with the former General Hospital and Red Rose Tea buildings. Councillor Vincent, in concurring with Councillor Trites' comment about contacting Mr. Sobey and his concern about a use for the building, asked about the possible involvement of Enterprise Saint John in this regard, and advised that he could not support forwarding a letter of the content suggested. On motion of Councillor Vincent Seconded by Councillor Knibb RESOLVED that the above matter be referred to Councillor Waldschutz and Mayor McAlary for further consideration. Question being taken, the referral motion was carried. 9. Tender For Asphalt RecvclinQ Machine On motion of Councillor Knibb Seconded by Councillor Fitzpatrick RESOLVED that as recommended by the City Manager, the tender of Saunders Equipment Ltd., in the amount of $72,500 (plus taxes), be accepted for the supply of one new Super Asten Cook asphalt recycling machine. Question being taken, the motion was carried. 10. Revisions To Agreement With Atlantic Health Sciences Corporation Re Ambulance Service Communications Consideration was given to a report from the City Manager advising of changes required in the agreement approved by Council on October 15, 1996 with the Atlantic Health Sciences Corporation respecting communications services. On motion of Councillor Knibb Seconded by Councillor Waldschutz RESOLVED that as recommended by the City Manager, Common Council approve the following revisions to the Agreement Respecting Communications Services between the Atlantic Health Sciences Corporation and the City of Saint John and authorize the execution of the amended agreement:- (1) change the definition of "coverage area" to read: "that are comprised 86-206 COMMON COUNCIL DECEMBER 23, 1996 of, The City of Saint John, Renforth, East Riverside-Kingshurst, Rothesay, Fairvale, Gondola Point, Quispamsis, and the unincorporated areas commonly referred to as French Village, Barsa Subdivision, and Upper Golden Grove, all as shown on Schedule 'A' attached."; and (2) revise clause 8.01 to read: "This agreement is effective November 25, 1996, and subject to section 8.02, continues in full force until November 30, 1999.". Question being taken, the motion was carried. 11. Renewal Of NB Tel's Lease Land On Sandy Point Road On motion of Councillor Knibb Seconded by Councillor Vincent RESOLVED that as recommended by the City Manager, Common Council authorize the renewal for a ten-year lease with NB Tel for lands located on Sandy Point Road, on the same terms and conditions of the lease dated January 1, 1975, and amendments thereto, dated April 6, 1987, the annual rent to be $1,000 plus applicable taxes. Question being taken, the motion was carried. 12. Authority To Expend Funds Read a report from the City Manager recommending adoption of the submitted resolution for the reason that, as it is anticipated that both the 1997 Operating and Capital Budgets will receive Council's approval by January 27, 1997, there will be a period during which the City and related organizations will be operating without an approved budget. On motion of Councillor Knibb Seconded by Councillor Trites RESOLVED that as recommended by the City Manager, the following resolution be adopted, namely:- WHEREAS the 1997 budgets for the City of Saint John have not been approved; AND WHEREAS there are some day-to-day matters controlled by the general approval of the budget: NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City Manager be authorized to approve purchases up to the value of $25,000 where provision for same is normally contained in the budget which has not been approved: AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that approval be given for the weekly payroll for civic employees: AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Commissioner of Finance be authorized to disburse funds to the commissions and organizations which, in his opinion, would ensure the continued economic and efficient day-to-day operations of these commissions and organizations during this period. Question being taken, the motion was carried. 13.049574 N.B. Ltd. (The Pasta Place) ChanQe Of Ownership - Offer To Lease Consideration was given to a report from the City Manager submitting a recommendation further to a recent change in ownership of 049574 N.B. Ltd. (The Pasta Place), which has been operating on a month-to-month basis in Stall "F" in the City Market, and an application from the new owners to lease this space. 86-207 COMMON COUNCIL DECEMBER 23, 1996 On motion of Councillor Knibb Seconded by Councillor Trites RESOLVED that as recommended by the City Manager, (a) the City lease to Ralph and Michelle Hooton, Stall "F" in the City Market for a period of 5 years beginning December 1, 1996, using the City's standard form of lease for rental of stalls in the City Market; (b) the rental rate to be as per Schedule "A" of the City Market By-Law and as amended from time to time by Council; and (c) the lease to specify the products and services in this report; and the Mayor and Common Clerk be authorize to execute the necessary documents. Question being taken, the motion was carried. 14. Extension Of Water Services To RaQQed Point Road Consideration was given to a report from the City Manager responding to correspondence considered previously by Council from Ms. Barbara Munroe, Mr. Robert S. James and Dr. James Stephenson with respect to the extension of water service to Ragged Point Road; expressing the opinion that the present policies should continue to be followed and that, with orderly development opportunities creating system extensions, the costs of extending service to the area can be properly recovered from these future developments, although there will be a considerable time period involved in following this practice; and recommending that this report be received and filed and copies be forwarded to Ms. Munroe, Mr. James and Dr. Stephenson for their information. On motion of Councillor Knibb Seconded by Councillor Trites RESOLVED that copies of the report from the City Manager regarding the extension of water services to Ragged Point Road be forwarded to Ms. Munroe, Mr. James and Dr. Stephenson for their information, and staff be asked to investigate the possibility of obtaining Provincial funding as was the case in the Renforth water service extension, as well as the possibility of establishing a local improvement levy. The initial motion proposed was to adopt the recommendation of the City Manager. The Mayor asked the possibility of residents in the Ragged Point area undertaking to pay a local improvement tax to contribute to the cost of extending water service to them. Councillor Knibb suggested that the possibility of obtaining a Provincial grant, as was the case for the Renforth water extension, to assist in servicing the Ragged Point area, and the mover and seconder of the initial motion agreed to change the motion as indicated above. Question being taken, the motion was carried. 15. Provincial Planning Appeal Board Decision - Crane Mountain Re-ZoninQ Consideration was given to a report from the City Solicitor submitting a copy of the Provincial Planning Appeal Board's decision in the matter of David Bowen et al - Appellants, City of Saint John - Respondents, Fundy Region Solid Waste Commission - Third Party, the decision being that the Board does not have jurisdiction to consider the merits of the appeals filed and the Board accepted the arguments made on behalf of the City that the amending of a Zoning By-Law is a discretionary legislative function which the Board has no authority to review; and advising that the Appellants have three months within which to commence a court challenge to this decision. On motion of Councillor Knibb 86-208 COMMON COUNCIL DECEMBER 23, 1996 Seconded by Deputy Mayor Chase RESOLVED that the above report from the City Solicitor be received and filed. Question being taken, the motion was carried. (Councillor Vincent withdrew from the meeting.) 16. Environment Committee Municipal Efficiencv EnerQV ProQram On motion of Councillor Knibb Seconded by Deputy Mayor Chase RESOLVED that the letter from the Environment Committee advising the status of the Municipal Energy Efficiency Program which should have begun in March 1996 but did not get underway until November 1996; and requesting that Council ask for an extension of the Environmental Trust funding to November 1997 -- be received and a letter be forwarded asking for an extension of the Environment Trust funding to November 1997. Question being taken, the motion was carried. 17. Environment Committee FCM's Climate ChanQe CampaiQn Read a letter from the Environment Committee proposing, further to Council's September 6 referral of a letter from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities regarding the Canadian Declaration on Climate Change and the urban Environment and reaffirming FCM's policy statement on environmental issues, that Council give consideration to forwarding the submitted letter to the Minister of Natural Resources for Canada, The Honourable A. Anne McLellan, with a copy to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, advising of the City's resolve to voluntarily assist Canadian governments in meeting Canada's international commitment to stabilize greenhouse gas emissions by taking the economic measures set out to increase the organization's efficiency. On motion of Councillor Knibb Seconded by Deputy Mayor Chase RESOLVED that the Mayor be authorized to forward the above-submitted letter as requested. Question being taken, the motion was carried. 18. Education School District 6 Lovalist City Radio Club's Services On motion of Councillor Knibb Seconded by Councillor Fitzpatrick RESOLVED that the letter from Education School District 6 in appreciation for the services of the Loyalist City Radio Club during the presentation of a Christmas Gala Concert at the Imperial Theatre -- be received and filed with appreciation to the Loyalist City Radio Club. Question being taken, the motion was carried. 19. Amnestv International - Appreciation On motion of Councillor Knibb Seconded by Councillor Trites RESOLVED that the letter from Amnesty 86-209 COMMON COUNCIL DECEMBER 23, 1996 International in appreciation to the Mayor and members of Common Council and others for the attention and support given in its recent candle-lighting campaign -- be received and filed. Question being taken, the motion was carried. 20. David Hierlihy - GarbaQe Collection On motion of Councillor Trites Seconded by Councillor Knibb RESOLVED that the letter from Mr. David Hierlihy referring to Council's enactment on December 9 of a Garbage By-Law amendment to accommodate the present pick-up schedule; and suggesting that the pick-up schedule be changed on an annual or bi-annual basis so that all areas miss the holiday pick-ups equally, or that two or three drop-off sites be offered for those who lack adequate storage facilities for two weeks of garbage -- be referred to the City Manager for a report on Mr. Hierlihy's suggestion. Councillor Knibb withdrew the initial motion to receive and file the above letter and thank Mr. Hierlihy for his suggestion upon Councillor Trites' suggestion that the matter should be referred to staff. Question being taken, the motion was carried. (Councillor Vincent re-entered the meeting.) 21. Saint John Construction Association Inc. ParkinQ Lot Improvements - Golf Course On motion of Councillor Fitzpatrick Seconded by Councillor Knibb RESOLVED that the letter from Saint John Construction Association Inc. further to its letter considered by Council on November 4 regarding the parking lot improvements at the Rockwood Park Golf Course; submitting a report, complete with photographs, which clearly indicate that, using appropriate figures, this project cost the City of Saint John $53,237.87 plus GST which the Association believes proves the practice of warding tendered work to City forces to be very costly to the City and its taxpayers; and requesting that the City leave its public works program to the cost effectiveness of the public tendering process -- be referred to the City Manager. Question being taken, the motion was carried. 22. Spruce Lake Ratepayers Association & Committee - Ocean Westway Sidewalk On motion of Councillor Knibb Seconded by Councillor Vincent RESOLVED that the letter from the Spruce Lake Ratepayers Association & Committee advising that it would like to clear up any misconceptions some of the Ocean Westway residents seem to have about the sidewalk on Ocean Westway, and asking that the work carried out by City workers along the busy section of Ocean Westway in September and October be inspected and compared with the work carried out by the sub-contractor along the dead end section and the opportunity be given to the group to re-submit its original application for a proper sidewalk as was the initial request and intention -- be referred to the City Manager. Question being taken, the motion was carried. 23. Multicultural Association Of Saint John Inc. - Loyalist Day 86-210 COMMON COUNCIL DECEMBER 23, 1996 On motion of Councillor Trites Seconded by Councillor Vincent RESOLVED that the letter from Multicultural Association of Saint John Inc. advising that, to ensure a fitting observance of Loyalist Day, May 18, a Citizens Loyalist Day Committee is being sponsored by the Association; and inviting Council to assist by having a representative on the Committee -- be received and filed. The Mayor noted that past experience has been that two committees have been involved in the Loyalist Day celebration, one chaired by Mr. W. MacMurray and one chaired by Mr. Eric L. Teed; and suggested that this celebration should be left for private citizens to arrange. Question being taken, the motion was carried. 24. FCM - Request For Resolutions On motion of Councillor Knibb Seconded by Deputy Mayor Chase RESOLVED that the letter from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities inviting the submission of resolutions on subjects of national municipal interest for debate at the March 1997 meeting of FCM's National Board of Directors or at FCM's Annual Conference in June 1997 as directed by the sponsor -- be referred to the City Manager for suggested resolutions for Council's consideration, including a resolution for the continuation of the infrastructure program and a resolution encouraging the Federal Government to commit itself to a meaningful recognition of local government in Canada, implementing changes to the Constitution to take effect in the year 2000, to give recognition, status and constitutional rights to the third level of governance in this country, the incorporated municipality. Question being taken, the motion was carried. Adiournment On motion of Councillor Trites Seconded by Councillor Knibb RESOLVED that this meeting be adjourned. Question being taken, the motion was carried. Common Clerk