1997-04-21_Minutes
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At a meeting of the Common Council, held at the City Hall in the City of
Saint John, on Monday, the twenty-first day of April, A.D. 1997, at 4:00 o'clock p.m.
present
Shirley McAlary, Mayor
Councillors Arthurs, Brown, Fitzpatrick, Gould, Knibb, Vincent and
Waldschutz
- and -
Messrs. 1. Totten, City Manager; J. Nugent, City Solicitor; D.
Wilson, Commissioner of Finance; P. Groody, Commissioner of
Human Resources; W. Butler, Commissioner of Community
Services; M. Jamer, Director of Water and Sewerage Services; J.
Baird, Manager of Community Planning; W. Todd, Manager of
Public Safety Communications Centre; D. Logan, Purchasing
Agent; W. Edwards, Building Inspector; G. Tait, Fire Chief; D.
Sherwood, Chief of Police; A. Bodechon, Assistant Deputy Chief
of Police; B. Fillmore, Assistant Deputy Chief of Police; Police
Cst. D. Parks; Police Cst. D. Oram; Police Cst. J. Wilcox; 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 William
Kakanin of the Renewed Hope Church of God offered the opening prayer.
2. Approval of Minutes
On motion of Councillor Knibb
Seconded by Councillor Fitzpatrick
RESOLVED that minutes of the
meeting of Common Council, held on April 14, 1997, be approved.
Councillor Gould re-iterated his request at the last meeting to be
provided with a copy of the reports associated with the engineering and technical
assistance carried out at Harbour Station by Jacques Whitford and Associates Limited,
which was dealt with under item 7 on the agenda of the October 7 meeting.
Question being taken, the motion was carried.
3. Mavor's Remarks
Mayor McAlary welcomed to the Council Chamber Major Harold C.
Bungay, Public Relations Director of The Salvation Army, who addressed Council
regarding the 1997 Red Shield Campaign and The Salvation Army's need for
volunteers to assist in canvassing the City; and noted The Salvation Army's Annual
Report (copies of which were distributed to Council members at this meeting).
The Mayor noted the 2nd Annual Canada Book Day on April 23 at the
City of Saint John Gallery, as well as ACAP - Saint John's celebration of Earth Day on
April 20 and the commencement on this date of the City's Annual Clean-Up Week; and
note was made of the commemoration on April 16 of the 352nd year since the fall of
Fort LaTour and the forthcoming 196th anniversary of the Saint George's Society on
April 23.
Councillor Vincent requested to raise the following three points, all
basically related to the topic of communication:- (1) the announcement respecting the
Millidgeville North High School to which the Mayor replied that this was not an item on
the agenda of this meeting and she would prefer that Council not get involved in it at
this time and, although she had information for Council, she was not prepared to
discuss it in open session until she speaks to Council on it; (2) a letter in The Telegraph
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Journal newspaper of this date respecting the organization or structure of the Fundy
Region Solid Waste Commission, of which he understood the Mayor to have a copy, to
which the Mayor replied that, although the letter was not on the agenda of this meeting
and she was not prepared to discuss it at this time in open session of Council, she did
have a copy of it, although it was not addressed to her; and (3) a letter from GeoSyntec
of which he understood the Mayor had a copy, to which the Mayor replied that a
facsimile was sent before the last Council meeting addressed to her, not to Council,
and it would be at her privilege as to whether to give it to Council but as far as she was
concerned it was not an item for the agenda, and also that this item was discussed at
the open session of Council when the Fundy Region Solid Waste Commission was
present. The Mayor noted that the purpose of Mayor's remarks on the agenda was for
announcements, expressions of thanks, items of congratulations and so forth, and
other items were to be placed on the agenda in the proper way or she would not deal
with them.
4. Saint John Police Force
Implementation Team Update
Consideration was given to a report from the Saint John Police Force
Implementation Team updating Council on the activities of the past week; and
recommending that a presentation be made to the Mayor and Common Council by ADC
Bodechon, assisted by Cst. Wilcox, on community-based policing (which was tabled at
the last meeting), and that this report be received and filed.
Chief Sherwood and Cst. Parks appeared before Council in the above
regard, following which ADC Bodechon and Cst. Wilcox, through an overhead slide
presentation, addressed Council on the philosophy of community policing in terms of
the Police Force's core business of public order, crime prevention, law enforcement,
emergency response and victim services; community policing's five core components of
Community Development, Police Learning, Community/Police Partnerships, Police
Service Re-Engineering, and Enforcement, and the programs that would be adopted if
Council approved these five core components. The Vancouver and London models of
community policing were referenced, as was the need for the involvement of the
community at large, including social service agencies, the business community,
schools, Common Council, members of the Police Force, including management and
the Police Association, and a police board if there were one; and the manner in which
community policing could be achieved was addressed. Common Council's role in
community policing was presented, including its provision of the policy and guidelines,
and in training and education in terms of goals, skills, tools and research needed, and
in Council's agreement on the principles of community policing.
The Mayor thanked the Implementation Team for the above
presentation; and Chief Sherwood commented on the use of volunteers and other
issues which would assist in the better delivery of service to the public, including split
shifts, staggered start times and officer empowerment, and advised that it was
anticipated that a report would be submitted to Council at its next meeting on a
differential response program.
On motion of Councillor Knibb
Seconded by Councillor Fitzpatrick
RESOLVED that the report of the Saint
John Police Force Implementation Team be received and filed.
Question being taken, the motion was carried.
15. Transit Commission 1996 Annual Report
Messrs. Thomas Mantle, Chairman; Donald McKim, member; and Frank
McCarey, General Manager, of the Saint John Transit Commission, were present at the
meeting with respect to the Commission's previously-submitted 1996 Annual Report;
and Mr. Mantle read the Chairman's report included in the Annual Report, and Mr.
McCarey responded to a question on the fare increase in 1997 to the effect that
ridership had stayed up to date which was encouraging in terms of being able to
maintain service levels for the rest of the year; and, with regard to the Commission's
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aging fleet, advised that the older fleet was becoming a challenge, particularly the 1979
buses; and, on the question of using a small passenger van in instances of less
demand, advised that the Commission wanted to own as few number of vehicles as
possible and the purchase of smaller buses for use in off-peak times would not result in
savings, but rather in a cost for the vehicles themselves and the requirement for a
driver, gasoline and very high maintenance on smaller-type vehicles. The Mayor asked
about the routes for Handi-Bus, to which Mr. McCarey advised that Independence Plus,
as operated by Brenda Seely, determined the eligibility of its riders and routes, and the
Commission supported it by maintaining the vehicles.
On motion of Councillor Knibb
Seconded by Councillor Vincent
RESOLVED that 1996 Annual Report of
the Saint John Transit Commission be received and filed with appreciation.
Question being taken, the motion was carried.
5. BorrowinQ Resolutions
On motion of Councillor Knibb
Seconded by Councillor Vincent
RESOLVED that for general operating
purposes:
1. The Commissioner of Finance is hereby authorized to borrow, on behalf of the
City of Saint John (the Corporation), from the Bank of Nova Scotia (the Bank) from time
to time by way of promissory note, a sum or sums not exceeding at anyone time three
million two hundred thousand dollars ($3,200,000) to meet current expenditure of the
Corporation for the year 1997;
2. Any two of the Commissioner of Finance, the Deputy Commissioner of Finance,
the Manager of Accounting Services or the Budget Officer are hereby authorized to
sign on behalf of the Corporation and to furnish to the Bank from time to time a
promissory note or notes sealed with the Corporate Seal for the sum or sums so
borrowed with interest at such rate as the Bank may from time to time determine;
3. The Commissioner of Finance is hereby authorized and directed to furnish to
the Bank at the time of each borrowing and at such other times as the Bank may from
time to time request, a statement showing the nature and amount of the estimated
revenues of the current year not yet collected or where the estimates for the year have
not been adopted, a statement showing the nature and amount of the estimated
revenues of the Corporation as set forth in the estimates adopted for the next
preceding year and also showing the total of any amounts borrowed in the current year
and in any preceding year that have not been repaid; and
4. The Commissioner of Finance is hereby authorized and directed to apply in
payment of all sums borrowed from the Bank, with interest thereon, all of the monies
hereafter collected or received on account or realized in respect of the taxes levied for
the current year and for any preceding years and all of the monies collected or received
from any other source:
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that for the purposes of bridge financing on
capital expenditures:
5. The City of Saint John establish a revolving term loan to bridge finance capital
expenditures to a maximum of $8,000,000 and the Commissioner of Finance be
authorized to borrow from the Bank to the specified limit;
6. Any two of the Commissioner of Finance, the Deputy Commissioner of Finance,
the Manager of Accounting Services or Budget Officer are hereby authorized to sign on
behalf of the Corporation and to furnish to the Bank from time to time a promissory note
or notes sealed with the Corporate Seal for the sum or sums so borrowed with interest
at such rate as the Bank may from time to time determine; and
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7. Any two of the Commissioner of Finance, the Deputy Commissioner of Finance,
the Manager of Accounting Services or the Budget Officer are hereby authorized to
sign on behalf of the Corporation and to furnish to the Bank an agreement or
agreements under the Seal of the Corporation providing for payment to the Bank of all
amounts required to be paid by the Bank pursuant to each promissory note of the
Corporation guaranteed by the Bank with interest at such rate as the Bank may from
time to time determine and of a guarantee fee in respect of each such promissory note
at such rate as the Bank may from time to time determine.
Question being taken, the motion was carried.
6. Animal Control By-Law
Re Kennel License Fee
On motion of Councillor Vincent
Seconded by Councillor Knibb
RESOLVED that the report from the City
Manager responding to the requirement in the Animal Control By-Law for a kennel
license fee, which was the subject of a letter considered by Council on February 24
from The New Brunswick Veterinary Medical Association; and recommending that the
Building Inspector advise the Association that, in accordance with the Animal Control
By-Law, veterinary facilities are not required to pay an annual kennel licensing fee for
the housing of medical and surgical cases; however, if a boarding service is provided
for other than medical reasons, a kennel license is to be obtained -- be received and
filed and the recommendation adopted.
Councillor Brown expressed the view that, rather than staff having to
follow through to determine if a veterinary facility were providing a boarding service, the
$100 kennel licensing fee should be applied across the board as was the case in
Fredericton and Bathurst.
Question being taken, the motion was carried with Councillor Brown
voting "nay".
7. Proposal Call For Testing
And Inspection Services
Asphaltic Concrete Mixes
On motion of Councillor Knibb
Seconded by Councillor Fitzpatrick
RESOLVED that as recommended by
the City Manager, the proposal of Jacques Whitford and Associates Ltd., in the amount
of $12.30 per cylinder for each year of a 2-year agreement, be accepted for the testing
of Portland Cement concrete, and the proposal of ADI Limited, in the amount of
$37,835 per year, be accepted for the testing and inspection of asphaltic concrete
mixes for a 2-year period.
Question being taken, the motion was carried.
(Councillor Arthurs withdrew from the meeting due to a possible conflict
of interest.)
8. HIP Applications #34-#37. #25
On motion of Councillor Knibb
Seconded by Councillor Vincent
RESOLVED that as recommended by the
City Manager, Common Council approve the following Housing Incentive Program
applications as follows:- HIP #34 - Joanne Batten and Dianne McAllister for an
estimated grant of $72,000 for 12 units on Park Street Extension and Anglin Drive; HIP
#35 - B.C.G. Holdings Inc. for an estimated grant of $60,000 for the construction of 6
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units on Dantes and Corsica Drives in the Monte Cristo Park development; HIP #36 - M.
Wayne Moore Building Construction Inc. for an estimated grant of $230,000 for the
White House Estates development on Manawagonish Road; and HIP #37 - Mike
Cavanagh for an estimated grant of $24,000 for the development of three units at 94-
98 Queen Street; and also that HIP #25 for PMK Holdings Ltd., approved by Council on
December 9, 1996 for 11 units on Manawagonish Road, be amended to permit an
additional four months for construction to begin.
Question being taken, the motion was carried.
(Councillor Arthurs re-entered the meeting.)
9. Enhancement Of Water
Rescue Capabilities
Consideration was given to a report from the City Manager referring to
the controversy during the most recent water rescue incident at Saint's Rest Beach in
September 1996, being a situation where, although Fire Department personnel had the
appropriate training and willingness to risk their lives to save a potential drowning
victim, the Marine Rescue Unit was woefully inadequate for the treacherous water;
advising that, in an effort to secure funding for the purchase of a proper marine rescue
unit estimated to cost $100,000, staff sought from both the public and private sector
and has received assistance for this very worthwhile endeavour through two initiatives,
being the Federal Government's J.E.P.P. Joint Emergency Preparedness Program in
an amount of $38,000 based on an expenditure of $100,000 or less and to be reduced
accordingly if the cost is less, and the Saint John Port Corporation for a 50% cost-
sharing arrangement on the remaining cost of the unit in an amount of $31,000, and
also the Commissioner of Finance has indicated that the City's share of $31,000 can be
identified in the 1997 Capital Budget; and submitting a recommendation in this regard.
On motion of Councillor Vincent
Seconded by Councillor Knibb
RESOLVED that as recommended by the
City Manager, Council authorize staff of the Fire Department, under the direction of the
Fire Chief, to continue its traditional role of providing assistance to the citizens of Saint
John by responding when requested to incidents involving water rescues; and further
that staff be authorized to proceed through proper purchasing procedures to acquire a
marine rescue unit that would be best suited to the needs of the Fire Department, at an
estimated cost of $100,000, with the understanding that the City's share would be
$31,000.
Councillor Knibb asked, as he was still hopeful that at least some of the
Ports Police would become part of the Saint John Police Force, for the Fire Chief's
reaction to the boat in question being under the authority of a designated harbour
police patrolled by Chief Sherwood to which Chief Tait replied that, if Council decided
that the Police could best meet the needs of the citizens, he would not have a problem
with that; and commented on the Fire Department's involvement in water rescue for
well over 30 years and the recent use of a ski boat which was not suitable for water
rescue but allowed the Department to provide some type of assistance, as well on the
issue of the 35 officers trained to deal with such situations. Chief Tait advised that this
matter had really nothing to do with the situation with the Ports Police in that, in
meetings he has attended in this regard, the Chief of the Ports Police made it quite
clear that water rescue was not part of their mandate or responsibility, although they
would try to provide assistance if requested, and they had just become involved in 1995
when they had some boats transferred in from the Coast Guard. Mayor McAlary
expressed concern not on the issue of funding for the boat but with respect to her
understanding, based on discussion of the 1997 budget, that the question of
responsibility for water safety was to be resolved; and suggested that, with the
purchase of a marine rescue unit, the City of Saint John would be taking responsibility
for water safety which would result in a cost to the City in terms of training and
maintenance. Chief Tait advised that, from a staff level, all avenues have been
exhausted in that the Coast Guard was not prepared to enhance its level of service in
terms of response time and the purchase proposed would not mean that the City would
assume the responsibility but would enhance what the City has been doing for a long
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time as the Department currently does not have the equipment to do the job and, while
he would have no problem should Council indicate that the Fire Department would no
longer be involved in water rescue, he did have a problem with an expectation that the
Fire Department would provide a service which it could not provide. Councillor Brown
suggested that the City would be expected to provide further service in the future with
the purchase of the unit in question; and, as water rescue was the responsibility of the
Department of National Defense through the Coast Guard, Council and its local MLAs
should be together in this regard in demanding better service from the Coast Guard
and, if the Coast Guard was not prepared to do so, in providing the funding for the City
to do so. Mr. Totten advised that, if Council wanted to pursue this issue with the
Federal Government, staff would not be opposed to this matter being tabled for three to
four weeks; and during discussion Councillor Waldschutz suggested that the City's
Federal Member of Parliament should be involved in this issue; and Councillor Gould
concurred with the City Manager's suggestion of tabling this matter to try to get
additional help.
On motion of Councillor Brown
Seconded by Councillor Gould
RESOLVED that the above matter be laid
on the table.
Question being taken, the tabling motion was lost, a tie vote having been
created with Councillors Arthurs, Fitzpatrick, Knibb, Vincent and Waldschutz voting
"nay".
Question being taken, the original motion was carried with the Mayor and
Councillor Brown voting "nay".
On motion of Councillor Vincent
Seconded by Councillor Waldschutz
RESOLVED that the Federal
Government, particularly The Honourable Doug Young, Minister of National Defense,
be advised by the City Manager or the Mayor that the course of action taken by Council
at this meeting with respect to water rescue was an enhancement process and not to
indicate that the City would be taking over the complete service for the entire Harbour
and that Council wanted to have meaningful discussion between the City Manager and
his counterparts and would be expecting the Federal Government to fulfil its full
commitment, being responsible for harbour safety in the Port of Saint John.
Question being taken, the motion was carried.
10. Purchase Of New Logging Recorder
Public Safety Communications Centre
On motion of Councillor Knibb
Seconded by Councillor Fitzpatrick
RESOLVED that as recommended by
the City Manager, Common Council approve the acceptance of the proposal of New
Brunswick Telephone Co. for the provision of a Dictaphone Prolog Digital Recorder and
associated equipment for the Public Safety Communications Centre, at a net cost of
$91,132, plus applicable taxes.
Question being taken, the motion was carried.
11. Sale Of 238 Queen Street
On motion of Councillor Knibb
Seconded by Councillor Waldschutz
RESOLVED that as recommended
by the City Manager, Common Council authorize the sale of 238 Queen Street to the
New Brunswick Housing Corporation for the sum of $5,000 plus applicable taxes, and
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the Mayor and Common Clerk be authorized to execute the necessary documents.
Question being taken, the motion was carried.
12. Closure Of Spruce Lake Landfill Site
Consideration was given to a report from the City Manager advising his
intent to table a recommendation at this meeting dealing with the closure of the Spruce
Lake landfill site, as the scheduling of a meeting with Lorneville residents on the
evening of April 18 prevented the completion of the report prior to the agenda being
finalized.
Consideration was also given to a report from the City Manager (copies
of which were distributed to Council members at this meeting) submitting a
recommendation for Council's consideration, further to the above-mentioned meeting
with Lorneville residents.
On motion of Councillor Knibb
Seconded by Councillor Arthurs
RESOLVED that as recommended by the
City Manager, Common Council: (i) adopt the position that the current landfill site at
Spruce Lake shall be closed on October 31, 1997; (ii) direct staff to prepare detailed
plans for a temporary transfer site, not to be confused with a permanent transfer
station, to possibly be used for the period of November 1, 1997 to the fall of 1998, if
required; (iii) direct staff to notify commercial operators that, effective November 1,
1997, the Spruce Lake site shall be closed and they should anticipate tipping fees to
increase in the range of $80 to $100 per ton; (iv) direct staff to search for reduced
expenditures in other areas in order to compensate for the approximate increased cost
(or decreased revenues) of $420,000 to $550,000 to taxpayers of the City as a result of
closing the site on October 31, 1997; (v) adopt as the City's plan for waste disposal the
submitted "Closure of Spruce Lake landfill site - Proposed Decision Time Line"; and (vi)
forward a copy of this report to the Minister of Environment.
Councillor Vincent advised that he could not support the proposed
course of action in that, if Crane Mountain were not ready in October 1997 and whether
or not Lorneville accepts the landfill or it goes somewhere else, the significant factor
would be the dollars only and it would seem more prudent to him to cut the best deal
possible with the Westmorland-Kent site immediately and establish a new transfer site
on the eastern arterial throughway, and comply to the request of the Minister that the
City have its plan in place by May 1, thereby eliminating all of the difficulties associated
with asking Lorneville residents to accept another 18 months of usage of the site; and
during discussion Councillor Gould suggested that the City should make one final
appeal to the Lorneville residents; and, in response to Councillor Fitzpatrick's request to
make a motion to divide the recommendation into separate motions because he could
only support (i), (iii) and (iv) at this time, the Mayor made the observation that the whole
motion would have to go the Minister and asked what the point would be of dividing the
recommendation. In response to Councillor Vincent's question of who would be
responsible to pay the hauling fees from any site in Saint John to Moncton should that
be required and for the cost of the development of a transfer site and on what authority,
Mr. Nugent replied that, while he had not prepared in any formal fashion for the
question, the Municipalities Act includes a provision that says of the services which a
municipality may choose to provide its citizens it shall be responsible to pay the costs of
those services and, without immediately recognizing any other considerations, that
would certainly be an initial principle that would have to be considered, and he would
not be prepared at this time to say there would be no further considerations.
Question being taken, the motion was carried with Councillors
Fitzpatrick, Gould and Vincent voting "nay".
13. Response To Cormier Report On
Municipal RestructurinQ In ReQion
Consideration was given to the report from the City Manager responding
to the major issues raised in the Cormier Report: "A Community of Communities - Local
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Government Options for the Greater Saint John Area" which are of specific concern to
the City, a motion to adopt the City Manager's recommendation having been tabled at
Council's last meeting as follows: that Common Council communicate to the Premier
and to the Minister of Municipalities, Culture and Housing that: (1) the City of Saint
John has major misgivings with respect to the Three Municipalities alternative option;
(2) the City of Saint John supports the process outlined in Bill 73 of the Municipalities
Act where the new council, with appropriate assistance, would be responsible for
implementing amalgamation, including the transition process; (3) in order to ensure an
effective transition, the Province must provide funding for transition costs, separate
from traditional municipal funding; (4) the City of Saint John recognizes the principles
behind Mr. Cormier's pre-conditions and understands why they are proposed; and (5)
the City of Saint John supports the principle that the 29 subsidiary recommendations
must be considered, refined and implemented by the new council as it sees fit.
On motion of Councillor Waldschutz
Seconded by Councillor Knibb
RESOLVED that the above-mentioned
motion be taken from the table and considered at this time.
Question being taken, the motion was carried.
On motion of Councillor Waldschutz
Seconded by Councillor Arthurs
RESOLVED that the above motion and
the report from the City Manager be received and filed.
The Mayor suggested that, as the mayors and councils will be briefed on
the Province's decision in the above regard on April 22, there would not be much point
in having too much discussion at this time since the decision has been made and
putting anything forward now would not help the City's cause; and noted that Council
previously supported full amalgamation; and during discussion Councillor Fitzpatrick
expressed concern that, although it was the Province and not the City of Saint John
which requested the Cormier report, it alienated the outlying areas against the City.
Question being taken, the motion was carried with Councillor Fitzpatrick
voting "nay".
14. 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
The Committee of the Whole
reports
Your Committee reports that it sat on April 14, 1997, when there were
present Mayor McAlary and Councillors Arthurs, Brown, Chase, Gould, Knibb, Trites,
Vincent and Waldschutz, and your Committee submits the following recommendations,
namely:-
1. That as recommended by the Nominating Committee, Jim Baird be re-
appointed as the City's re-presentative on the Board of Directors of Uptown Saint
John Inc. for a term of three years.
2. That John Correia and Susan Hellingwerf Ellis be appointed to the
Harbour Station Commission for a term of three years.
3. That as recommended by the City Manager, the Water and Sewerage
Capital Program for 1997 be adjusted to provide for the erection of a metal clad
structure near the Spruce Lake treatment buildings for the purpose of storing Water
and Sewerage material, at a cost not to exceed $160,000, and for the replacement of
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an existing retaining wall adjacent to the existing pump house, at a cost not to exceed
$10,000, for a maximum cost of $170,000.
April 21, 1997,
Saint John, N.B.
Respectfully submitted,
(sgd.) Shirley McAlary,
C h air man.
14.1. Uptown Saint John Inc.
Appointment To Board
On motion of Councillor Knibb
Seconded by Councillor Fitzpatrick
RESOLVED that section 1 of the
above report be adopted.
Question being taken, the motion was carried.
The Mayor asked that Council table section 2 of the above report for one
week so that she could have discussion with Council in Committee of the Whole.
14.2. Harbour Station Commission
Appointment To Board
On motion of Councillor Waldschutz
Seconded by Councillor Arthurs
RESOLVED that section 2 of the above
report be laid on the table for one week.
Question being taken, the tabling motion was carried.
14.3. Adjustment To Water And
SeweraQe Capital ProQram
On motion of Councillor Knibb
Seconded by Councillor Waldschutz
RESOLVED that section 3 of the
above report be adopted.
Mr. Jamer, in response to Councillor Brown, explained that the structure
in question would be used to store material, some of which was currently being stored
on the ground at the location where the building would be, as well as material that the
City does not have yet and which staff thinks it should have if the City is to do a proper
job in maintaining, in particular, the water system, and that very few of the materials in
question would be from local suppliers, most being specialized repair pieces that come
from outside the City. Councillor Brown asked if, in calling for tenders, the City could
request that suppliers be asked to supply this type of material on demand by the City,
to which Mr. Jamer explained why he was not sure that this would be a reasonable
request in that the repair pieces were very specialized, using as an example a concrete
pressure pipe running from Spruce Lake to the Irving mill which has had to his
knowledge only one catastrophic failure since it was put in many years ago. Councillor
Brown noted the budget cut which reduced sidewalk plowing, the possible need for
additional money with respect to the landfill situation, and the Transit Commission's
need for new buses; and suggested that there should be some other alternative to
taking in an inventory for which the City would pay upfront and possibly never use,
whether it be paying a little extra for a better service and or whether it be a local
supplier.
Question being taken, the motion was carried with Councillor Brown
voting "nay".
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16. Thomas J. Hammett Re
Residential Real Estate Zone
On motion of Councillor Knibb
Seconded by Councillor Vincent
RESOLVED that the letter from Mr.
Thomas J. Hammett submitting a copy of a memorandum he published in The
Telegraph Journal newspaper on April 7; and suggesting that, if the Province would
change its residential tax rates to a fair basis, problems of shifting suburbs should
automatically correct themselves, and that Saint John, with its numerous apartment
dwellers, is now overtaxed for education, health and welfare costs; and expressing the
belief that the suburbs are not paying their fair share of these costs -- be referred to the
City Manager.
Question being taken, the motion was carried.
17. Raymond And Irene Guerette
Re-ZoninQ 1155 Sand Cove Road
On motion of Councillor Knibb
Seconded by Councillor Vincent
RESOLVED that the application of
Raymond and Irene Guerette for the re-zoning of 1155 Sand Cove Road be referred to
the Planning Advisory Committee for a report and recommendation and the necessary
advertising be authorized in this regard, with the public hearing to be held on Monday,
May 26, 1997, at 7:00 o'clock p.m.
Question being taken, the motion was carried.
Adjournment
On motion of Councillor Knibb
Seconded by Councillor Waldschutz
RESOLVED that this meeting be
adjourned and Council meet in Committee of the Whole.
Question being taken, the motion was carried.
Common Clerk