Loading...
1999-01-18_Minutes 87 -333 COMMON COUNCIL JANUARY 18, 1999 At a meeting of the Common Council, held at the City Hall in the City of Saint John, on Monday, the eighteenth day of January, AD., 1999, at 7:00 o'clock p.m. present Shirley McAlary, Mayor Deputy Mayor Chase and Councillors Ball, Chase, Court, Fitzpatrick, Titus, Trites and Vincent - and - Messrs. T. Totten, City Manager; B. Cullinan, Solicitor; A Beckett, Commissioner of Finance and Commissioner of Corporate Services; J. C. MacKinnon, Commissioner of Environment and Development Services; P. Groody, Commissioner of Municipal Operations; W. Butler, Commissioner of Community Services; S. Galbraith, Director of Works; J. Baird, Manager of Community Planning; W. Edwards, Building Inspector; P. Hanlon, Manager of Water and Sewerage Services; C. Cogswell, Chief of Police; Mrs. M. Munford, Common Clerk; and Ms. C. Mosher, Assistant Common Clerk. 1. MeetinQ Called To Order - Prayer Mayor McAlary called the meeting to order, and Rev. Wally Collette of All Saints Anglican Church offered the opening prayer. 2. Approval of Minutes On motion of Deputy Mayor Chase Seconded by Councillor Ball RESOLVED that minutes of the meeting of Common Council, held on January 11, 1999, be approved. Question being taken, the motion was carried. Mayor McAlary proclaimed January 17 to 23 as VON Week in the City of Saint John, following which Justin Michaelsen, Chairman of the Public Relations Committee with the Victorian Order of Nurses, expressed appreciation to Council for its support. Mayor McAlary noted the presence at the meeting of Saint John MP Elsie Wayne, and former member of Common Council Chris Waldschutz. 3(a) Zoning By-Law Amendment To Re-Zone Land On Proud Road The Common Clerk advised that the necessary advertising was completed with regard to the proposed re-zoning of lands within 152 metres (500 feet) of Proud Road, having a total area of approximately 87 hectares (215 acres), also identified as being NBGIC Numbers 55024699,55043962,55052823,00338442,55010342, 00418434,00348607,00336594, 55008353, 55006175, 00348607, 00276626, 55122600,00338442,00449165 and 00335596, and portions of NBGIC Numbers 55043970, 00339945, 00342188, 00422030, 00338673, 00338392, 00338392, 00339994,00342188,55010342, 55071013, 55010359, 55010334, 00426023, 00418814,00352450 and 00420216, from "RF" Rural to "RFM" Rural Mobile Home classification, to permit all properties along Proud Road to develop with either one- or two-family dwellings or mobile homes, as requested by the City of Saint John, and no written objections were received in this regard. 3{b) Consideration was also given to a report from the Planning Advisory Committee submitting a copy of Planning staff's report considered at the Committee's January 12 meeting at which no presentations were made and no letters were received; and recommending that Common Council amend the City of Saint John Zoning By-Law 87-334 COMMON COUNCIL JANUARY 18, 1999 by re-zoning lands within 152 metres (500 feet) of Proud Road, having a total area of approximately 87 hectares (215 acres), also identified as being NBGIC Numbers 55024699,55043962,55052823, 00338442, 55010342, 00418434, 00348607, 00336594, 55008353, 55006175, 00348607, 00276626, 55122600, 00338442, 00449165 and 00335596, and portions of NBGIC Numbers 55043970,00339945, 00342188, 00422030, 00338673, 00338392, 00338392, 00339994, 00342188, 55010342,55071013,55010359,55010334, 00426023, 00418814, 00352450 and 00420216, from "RF" Rural to "RFM" Rural Mobile Home classification. On motion of Councillor Trites Seconded by Councillor Court RESOLVED that the by-law to amend the Zoning By-Law of the City of Saint John, insofar as it concerns re-zoning lands within 152 metres (500 feet) of Proud Road, having a total area of approximately 87 hectares (215 acres), also identified as being NBGIC Numbers 55024699,55043962,55052823, 00338442,55010342,00418434, 00348607, 00336594, 55008353, 55006175, 00348607,00276626,55122600, 00338442, 00449165 and 00335596, and portions of NBGIC Numbers 55043970,00339945,00342188,00422030, 00338673, 00338392, 00338392,00339994,00342188, 55010342, 55071013, 55010359, 55010334, 00426023,00418814,00352450 and 00420216, from "RF" Rural to "RFM" Rural Mobile Home classification, be read a first time. Question being taken, the motion was carried. Read a first time the by-law to amend the Zoning By-Law of the City of Saint John. On motion of Councillor Trites Seconded by Councillor Ball RESOLVED that the by-law to amend the Zoning By-Law of the City of Saint John, insofar as it concerns re-zoning lands within 152 metres (500 feet) of Proud Road, having a total area of approximately 87 hectares (215 acres), also identified as being NBGIC Numbers 55024699,55043962,55052823, 00338442,55010342,00418434, 00348607, 00336594, 55008353, 55006175, 00348607,00276626,55122600, 00338442, 00449165 and 00335596, and portions of NBGIC Numbers 55043970,00339945,00342188,00422030, 00338673, 00338392, 00338392,00339994,00342188, 55010342, 55071013, 55010359, 55010334, 00426023,00418814,00352450 and 00420216, from "RF" Rural to "RFM" Rural Mobile Home classification, be read a second time. Question being taken, the motion was carried. Read a second time the by-law to amend the Zoning By-Law of the City of Saint John. On motion of Councillor Vincent Seconded by Councillor Fitzpatrick RESOLVED that the correspondence regarding the above-proposed amendment be received and filed. Question being taken, the motion was carried. 4(a) Zoning By-Law Amendment To Re-Zone 205-207 Loch Lomond Road The Common Clerk advised that the necessary advertising was completed with regard to the proposed re-zoning of a parcel of land located at 205-207 Loch Lomond Road (NBGIC Number 320465), having an area of approximately 9,100 square feet, from "R-4" Four-Family Residential to "B-2" General Business classification, to permit the establishment of a car sales lot, as requested by Gerry Webster for Victor Train, and no written objections were received in this regard. 87-335 COMMON COUNCIL JANUARY 18, 1999 4{b) Consideration was given to a report from the Planning Advisory Committee submitting a copy of Planning staff's report considered at the Committee's January 12 meeting at which Gerry Webster expressed agreement with the staff recommendation provided that condition (a) was reworded to make it clear that the proponent is only required to remove the portion of the Loch Lomond Road driveway which lies on the subject site and not the next-door neighbour's portion of the driveway, and requested that condition (a) be clarified to specifically permit the reinstatement in front of the former driveway to be an asphalt curb and sidewalk which would be the same as the existing City curb and sidewalk on this section of Loch Lomond Road, and James Irvine, owner of the adjacent property at 1-5 Ridge Street expressed concern, on his and Ronald McLennan's behalf, about the shared driveways and possibility of traffic congestion, and the potential impact of the new business on McLennan's residential property at 203 Loch Lomond Road and Mr. Irvine's residential tenants, and expressed agreement with the proposed Section 39 conditions confining the business use to the area between the building and Ridge Street and that Mr. McLennan's portion of the common driveway off Loch Lomond Road be retained, although he remained concerned that the driveway off Ridge Street may become congested with cars if not widened because his residential tenants park their cars in this area. The report advises of the Committee's adoption of the staff recommendation with changes to proposed condition (a) as requested by the applicant; and recommends that Common Council re-zone a parcel of land located at 205-207 Loch Lomond Road, having an area of approximately 9,100 square feet, also identified as being NBGIC Number 320465, from "R-4" Four- Family Residential to "B-2" General Business classification, subject to a resolution pursuant to Section 39 of the Community Planning Act setting out the following conditions: (a) no driveway access to the site is permitted from Loch Lomond Road, and the proponent must remove that portion of the existing common driveway on Loch Lomond Road that lies on the subject site, leaving a driveway with a minimum width of 3 metres for the adjacent property at 203 Loch Lomond Road, and the proponent must replace the removed portion of the driveway entrance with raised asphalt curb and sidewalk, constructed to a similar standard as the existing City curb/sidewalk; (b) the portion of the site located between the existing building and the adjacent property identified as 203 Loch Lomond Road (NBGIC Number 319236) shall be used for no purpose other than a lawn area and parking accessory to the residential use of the subject site, until such time as the adjacent property at 203 Loch Lomond Road is re- zoned for non-residential purposes; (c) the proponent must pave all driveways, parking areas and vehicle manoeuvring areas with asphalt and enclose them with cast-in-place concrete curbs to protect the landscaped areas and facilitate proper drainage; (d) adequate site drainage facilities, including catch basin(s) connected to the City storm sewer system where deemed necessary, must be provided by the proponent in accordance with a detailed drainage plan, prepared by the proponent and subject to the approval of the Chief City Engineer; (e) the proponent must landscape all areas of the site not occupied by buildings, structures and parking area/driveway; (f) the site shall not be developed or used for any commercial use except in accordance with a detailed site plan, to be prepared by the proponent and subject to the approval of the Development Officer, indicating the location of all buildings and structures, parking areas, vehicle display areas, vehicle manoeuvring areas, freestanding signs (if any), exterior lighting and landscaping; (g) no commercial use of the site is permitted, and no building permit or change-of-use permit for commercial use will be endorsed by the Development Officer, until (i) the site plan mentioned in condition (f) above is approved by the Development Officer, and (ii) the removal of the existing driveway on Loch Lomond Road, as required in condition (a) above, is completed to the satisfaction of the Chief City Engineer; and (h) all other work necessary to complete the development in accordance with the approved site plan and drainage plan must be completed within one year of building permit approval for the commercial use. Gerry Webster, appearing in support of the application, advised his agreement with both the Committee and Planning staff report, and requested approval of the re-zoning. On motion of Councillor Ball Seconded by Councillor Trites RESOLVED that the by-law to amend the Zoning By-Law of the City of Saint John, insofar as it concerns re-zoning a parcel of land located at 205-207 Loch Lomond Road, having an area of approximately 9,100 square 87 -336 COMMON COUNCIL JANUARY 18, 1999 feet, also identified as being NBGIC Number 320465, from "R-4" Four-Family Residential to "B-2" General Business classification, pursuant to Section 39 of the Community Planning Act as recommended by the Planning Advisory Committee, be read a first time. Question being taken, the motion was carried. Read a first time the by-law to amend the Zoning By-Law of the City of Saint John. On motion of Councillor Trites Seconded by Deputy Mayor Chase RESOLVED that the by-law to amend the Zoning By-Law of the City of Saint John, insofar as it concerns re-zoning a parcel of land located at 205-207 Loch Lomond Road, having an area of approximately 9,100 square feet, also identified as being NBGIC Number 320465, from "R-4" Four-Family Residential to "B-2" General Business classification, pursuant to Section 39 of the Community Planning Act as recommended by the Planning Advisory Committee, be read a second time. Question being taken, the motion was carried. Read a second time the by-law to amend the Zoning By-Law of the City of Saint John. On motion of Councillor Ball Seconded by Councillor Vincent RESOLVED that the correspondence regarding the above-proposed amendment be received and filed. Question being taken, the motion was carried. 5(a) Zoning By-Law Amendment To Re-Zone 304 Lawrence LonQ Road The Common Clerk advised that the necessary advertising was completed with regard to the proposed re-zoning of a parcel of land located at 304 Lawrence Long Road, having an area of approximately 11.8 hectares (29 acres), also identified as being NBGIC Numbers 288266 and 55095012 and part of NBGIC Number 288126, from "RS-2" One- and Two-Family Suburban Residential and "RS-2M" One- and Two-Family and Mobile Home Suburban Residential to "RF" Rural classification, to permit the development of a horse stable and riding arena to be developed as part of the residential use of the property, as requested by Deborah H. Thomas and Zoran Petrovich, and no written objections were received in this regard. 5{b) Consideration was given to a report from the Planning Advisory Committee submitting a copy of Planning staff's report and a letter in objection considered at the Committee's January 12 meeting at which Zoran Petrovich indicated he was in agreement with staff's recommendation, and no other person appeared; advising that the Committee adopted staff's recommendation with an amendment to subsection (a) changing the words "domestic animals" to "horses"; and recommending that Common Council re-zone a parcel of land located at 304 Lawrence Long Road, having an area of approximately 1.18 hectares (29 acres), also identified as being NBGIC Numbers 288266 and 55095012 and part of NBGIC Number 288126, from "RS- 2" One- and Two-Family Suburban Residential and "RS-2M" One- and Two-Family and Mobile Home Suburban Residential to "RF" Rural classification, subject to a resolution pursuant to Section 39 of the Community Planning Act setting out the following conditions: (a) the total number of horses (other than their young under the age of six months) is limited to a maximum of twelve; and (b) the natural treed vegetation located within 30 metres (98 feet) of any watercourse be retained. 87 -337 COMMON COUNCIL JANUARY 18, 1999 Michael Long of 169 Lawrence Long Road, appearing in support of the re-zoning, advised that he and his father owned land adjacent to the property in question and the type of farm to be created would only enhance any future property development, and also that the subject property has operated as a farm for about three generations of his family. Zoran Petrovich, owner of the subject property and the applicant, advised that he had no problem with the above report. On motion of Councillor Court Seconded by Councillor Trites RESOLVED that the by-law to amend the Zoning By-Law of the City of Saint John, insofar as it concerns re-zoning a parcel of land located at 304 Lawrence Long Road, having an area of approximately 1.18 hectares (29 acres), also identified as being NBGIC Numbers 288266 and 55095012 and part of NBGIC Number 288126, from "RS-2" One- and Two-Family Suburban Residential and "RS-2M" One- and Two-Family and Mobile Home Suburban Residential to "RF" Rural classification, pursuant to Section 39 of the Community Planning Act as recommended by the Planning Advisory Committee, be read a first time. Question being taken, the motion was carried. Read a first time the by-law to amend the Zoning By-Law of the City of Saint John. On motion of Councillor Trites Seconded by Councillor Court RESOLVED that the by-law to amend the Zoning By-Law of the City of Saint John, insofar as it concerns re-zoning a parcel of land located at 304 Lawrence Long Road, having an area of approximately 1.18 hectares (29 acres), also identified as being NBGIC Numbers 288266 and 55095012 and part of NBGIC Number 288126, from "RS-2" One- and Two-Family Suburban Residential and "RS-2M" One- and Two-Family and Mobile Home Suburban Residential to "RF" Rural classification, pursuant to Section 39 of the Community Planning Act as recommended by the Planning Advisory Committee, be read a second time. Question being taken, the motion was carried. Read a second time the by-law to amend the Zoning By-Law of the City of Saint John. On motion of Councillor Trites Seconded by Councillor Fitzpatrick RESOLVED that the correspondence regarding the above-proposed amendment be received and filed. 6(a) Zoning By-Law Amendment To Re-Zone 31 Golden Grove Road The Common Clerk advised that the necessary advertising was completed with regard to the proposed re-zoning of a parcel of land located at 31 Golden Grove Road, having an area of approximately 6313 square metres (67,954 square feet), also identified as being a portion of NBGIC Number 55050322, from "RS-2" One- and Two-Family Suburban Residential to "B-2" General Business classification, to permit the construction of two commercial buildings with a total ground floor area of 1161 square metres (12,500 square feet), as requested by Dante Foriere, and no written objections were received in this regard, with 6{c) a letter having been received from Northrup Bamford, solicitors for the applicant, dated January 15, 1999, requesting that this application be removed from the agenda of Common Council for January 18, 1999. Consideration was also given to a letter from Dante Foriere, dated January 18, 1999 (copies of which were distributed to Council members earlier this date), asking that the letter from Northrup Bamford, his solicitors, be withdrawn and the public hearing for the re-zoning of the subject property be held, as well as to a letter from 87 -338 COMMON COUNCIL JANUARY 18, 1999 Northrup Bamford, dated January 18, 1999 (copies of which were distributed to Council members earlier this date), asking that the letter of January 15, 1999 be disregarded and the application be returned to the agenda of Common Council for January 18, 1999, as they have been advised by Mr. Foriere that, in fact, he wishes to continue his application. 6{b) Consideration was also given to a report from the Planning Advisory Committee submitting a copy of Planning staff's report considered at the Committee's January 12 meeting at which the submitted three letters were received and a petition as signed by a number of area residents was circulated and returned so it could be submitted directly to Common Council, and at which Michael Bamford of Northrup Bamford, on behalf of the applicant, indicated that a revised site design had been submitted prior to the meeting that would avoid the necessity of the consideration of any variance and that the development would be constructed in accordance with the Flood Risk By-Law provisions and the required compensatory area could be provided by two residential properties owned by the proponent on Simpson Drive, and six area residents spoke against the proposal, their primary concern related to existing flooding for the area and how the proposed development would adversely affect this situation, with other concerns being increased traffic, noise, lighting and close proximity to long-existing residential properties. The report advises of the Committee's adoption of the staff recommendation, as well as of the Committee's suggestion that the subject property be acquired by the City and used as a holding area for storm water; and recommends that (1) the re-zoning application be denied; and (2) Common Council consider acquiring the subject property located at 31 Golden Grove Road, as identified as a portion of NBGIC Number 55050322. The Mayor expressed concern that the public might not be aware that the public hearing would be held at this meeting in that the letters from the applicant and his solicitors advising the applicant's wish to continue with the application were received subsequent to the receipt of the letter from the applicant's solicitors under item 6(c) on the agenda of this meeting; and advised that, in speaking with the City Solicitor before this meeting, Council could reschedule the public hearing for a later date so as to ensure that the public was aware of when the public hearing would be held. On motion of Councillor Trites Seconded by Councillor Fitzpatrick RESOLVED that the public hearing for the proposed re-zoning of property at 31 Golden Grove Road be rescheduled to Monday, March 1. 1999, at 7:00 o'clock p.m., and the necessary advertising be authorized in this regard. (Councillor Titus withdrew from the meeting). During discussion Mr. Cullinan commented on the matter of persons who may have wished to have come forward to oppose the proposed re-zoning not having come to this meeting, acting on representation on behalf of the applicant that the application was to be withdrawn which was communicated to the public through the Council agenda and probably through private conversation, unless somehow they found out that there had been correspondence received on this date; and expressed the view that, in the question of fairness and procedure, the public hearing should be rescheduled. The Mayor made the observation that the application would not have been withdrawn without a Council resolution to do so, and Mr. Cullinan concurred that Council itself would have to make the decision on a request to withdraw an application. Question being taken, the motion was carried. 7. Municipal Plan Amendment Re Peninsula NeiQhbourhood Plan Public presentation was made of a proposed Municipal Plan amendment to adopt the Peninsula Neighbourhood Plan as Part 10, which sets out additional policies to guide the development of the peninsular area surrounding the Uptown, and to amend Schedule 2-C, the Central Peninsula Land Use Plan, to adopt a neighbourhood plan as an amendment to the Municipal Plan. 87 -339 COMMON COUNCIL JANUARY 18, 1999 8. Mavor's Remarks Mayor McAlary, in referring to the discussion about meeting only in Committee of the Whole on Monday, January 25 to consider the 1999 Capital Budget and some planning issues, advised that she would need a motion to not have a public meeting on that date if Council wished to proceed in this manner. On motion of Councillor Ball Seconded by Councillor Fitzpatrick RESOLVED that no public session of Common Council be held on Monday, January 25, 1999. Question being taken, the motion was carried. Mayor McAlary expressed condolences to the family of the late John Winchester, who passed away on January 17, 1999. The Mayor advised that the Selection Committee for the Saint John Sports Hall of Fame was accepting nominations at this time; and congratulated Terry Mcinerney and Beverley Henneberry on their recent appointments as Directors to School Districts 6 and 8. Mayor McAlary encouraged attendance at the Year 2000 Committee meeting in the Council Chamber on January 19, and she and Councillor Ball commented, in turn, on the premiering in Saint John on January 24 of the movie - In Her Defence, which was filmed in Saint John in the spring of 1998. (Councillor Titus re-entered the meeting.) 9. Watershed Protection ProQram - Phase II Consideration was given to a report from the City Manager submitting a (1) Discussion Paper of the Watershed Protection Program Phase II, released by the Minister of the Environment on November 16, 1998 and referred by Council to staff on November 23, 1998 for a report and a draft brief; (2) a copy of the Executive Summary and Designation Document of the Loch Lomond Watershed Designation Study prepared by Jacques, Whitford & Associates in June 1989; and (3) a copy of the report on the Designation and Protection of the East and West Musquash and Spruce Lake Watersheds, prepared by Fundy Engineering & Consulting Ltd. in 1993. The report also submits a proposed brief in response to the Department's request for comments on the Discussion Paper, as well as a recommendation for Council's consideration. On motion of Councillor Trites Seconded by Deputy Mayor Chase RESOLVED that as recommended by the City Manager, Common Council (1) endorse the submitted brief and authorize that it be forwarded to the Department of the Environment as the response of the City of Saint John to the Discussion Paper on the Watershed Protection Program - Phase II; and (2) strongly recommend that the Watershed Protection Program adopts regulations as identified in the 1989 Loch Lomond Watershed Study and the 1993 East and West Musquash and Spruce Lake Watersheds Study, to be applied to those watersheds, and that similar studies be carried out for each of the other watersheds in the Province, and that the findings of such studies become the basis for regulations in each of the respective watersheds: AND FURTHER that the Provincial Minister of the Environment be contacted for a meeting in this regard as soon as possible. The Mayor suggested that Council should do more than what was recommended by meeting with the Minister of the Environment in an attempt to get the above-mentioned reports and the recommendation acted upon, and during discussion Deputy Mayor Chase and Councillor Court proposed to amend the motion to the effect that Council contact the Provincial Minister for a meeting on this issue as soon as possible, and the mover and seconder of the above motion agreed to add to the motion accordingly. (Councillors Fitzpatrick and Vincent withdrew from the meeting during the above discussion.) 87 -340 COMMON COUNCIL JANUARY 18, 1999 Question being taken, the motion was carried. 10. 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 Monday, January 11, 1999, when there were present Mayor McAlary, Deputy Mayor Chase and Councillors Ball, Chase, Court, Desmond, Fitzpatrick, Titus, Trites, Vincent and White, and your Committee submits the following recommendations, namely: 1. That Councillor Bernard Desmond and Stephen Savoie be appointed and Norman Hamburg and Vijay Kawatra be reappointed to the Saint John Parking Commission for terms of three years. 2. That Joan Pearce be appointed and Harold Wright be reappointed to the Preservation Review Board for terms of three years. 3. That Leo Maloney be reappointed to the Aquatic Centre Commission for a three-year term. 4. That Elizabeth Boyle be appointed and Malcolm M. Somerville be reappointed to the Board of Commissioners of the Saint John Free Public Library for terms of three years. 5. That Holly Haines be appointed and Dorothy Dawson, Douglas Trentkowsky, Chris Smith and Deborah MacDonald be reappointed to the Rockwood Park Advisory Board for terms of one year. January 18, 1999, Saint John, N.B. Respectfully submitted, (sgd.) Shirley McAlary, C h air man. 10.1. ParkinQ Commission Appointments On motion of Deputy Mayor Chase Seconded by Councillor Court RESOLVED that section 1 of the above report be adopted. Question being taken, the motion was carried. 10.2. Preservation Review Board Appointments On motion of Deputy Mayor Chase Seconded by Councillor Court RESOLVED that section 2 of the above report be adopted. Question being taken, the motion was carried. 10.3. Aquatic Centre Commission Appointment On motion of Councillor Court Seconded by Councillor Ball RESOLVED that section 3 of the above report be adopted. 87-341 COMMON COUNCIL JANUARY 18, 1999 (Councillor Fitzpatrick re-entered the meeting.) Question being taken, the motion was carried. 10.4. Librarv Board Appointments On motion of Councillor Ball Seconded by Councillor Court RESOLVED that section 4 of the above report be adopted. Question being taken, the motion was carried. 10.5. Rockwood Park Advisorv Board Appointments On motion of Deputy Mayor Chase Seconded by Councillor Court RESOLVED that section 5 of the above report be adopted. Question being taken, the motion was carried. (Councillor Vincent re-entered the meeting.) 11. Greater Saint John Economic Development Commission (Enterprise Saint John) Re Tourism On motion of Councillor Vincent Seconded by Councillor Court RESOLVED that the letter from Greater Saint John Economic Development Commission Inc. (Enterprise Saint John) submitting a copy of a report - A Tourism Organization For Greater Saint John, for Council's review, and requesting an opportunity to discuss it with Council in the near future -- be received and filed. The Mayor, in noting the Commission's request to make a presentation in the above regard for which Council has yet to advise the Commission of a date, advised that the reason the Commission sent the report ahead of time is that, when the report was taken to the Rothesay Council last week, it became a public agenda item. In response to Deputy Mayor Chase's concern that a receive and file motion might result in no action being taken in response to the Commission's request to make a presentation on tourism, the Mayor suggested that, if the above motion were adopted, Council could still make another motion to have the Commission make its presentation, whereupon Councillor Fitzpatrick suggested that the motion could be amended to receive and file the above correspondence and extend an invitation to the Commission to make a presentation. On motion of Councillor Trites Seconded by Councillor Ball RESOLVED that the above matter be referred to the City Manager for comments prior to Council's meeting with Greater Saint John Economic Development Commission Inc. (Enterprise Saint John). Councillor Chase expressed the view that, in light of discussion which has already taken place, the referral motion was redundant, and that Council should just invite the Commission to make a presentation. Question being taken, the referral motion was carried with Councillors Chase and Titus voting "nay". 87-342 COMMON COUNCIL JANUARY 18, 1999 12. River Valley Ground Search & Rescue Team Inc. - Lack Of Financial Support On motion of Councillor Vincent Seconded by Councillor Trites RESOLVED that the letter from River Valley Ground Search & Rescue Team Inc. advising of its regret in receiving the letter stating that the City of Saint John would once again not support it and that, as the largest of the municipalities the Team covers, it finds it very strange that it cannot expect the support of Saint John while the other towns recognize its contribution; and offering to provide a briefing on who the Team is and what it does -- be referred to the City's Emergency Measures Committee for review and a report to Council. Question being taken, the motion was carried. 13. Saint John & District Labour Council - City's 1999 BudQet On motion of Councillor Vincent Seconded by Councillor Ball RESOLVED that the letter from the Saint John & District Labour Council referring to the City's 1999 budget; and advising that, although it was hard to find an affiliated member who was in support of another tax increase, everyone at its January 7 monthly meeting agreed that, in order for the City to maintain services it currently has, this was a necessary step for the elected civic government to take -- be received and filed with thanks. Question being taken, the motion was carried. 14. Saint John Horticultural Association Re Stanlev Park. Vancouver. B.C. On motion of Councillor Fitzpatrick Seconded by Councillor Court RESOLVED that the letter from the Saint John Horticultural Association advising that it has come to its attention that Vancouver advertises and promotes Stanley Park, which has 1,000 acres, as the largest urban park in North America which the Association feels is erroneous as Rockwood Park has over 2,400 acres and it is understood it is the largest; suggesting that the City write to the City of Vancouver and also to the news media in that City pointing out that their promotion is not accurate when it states Stanley Park is the largest; and urging Council to have the staff responsible for the City's tourism promotion ensure that, in any City promotion, there is mention of Rockwood Park being the largest urban park in North America and the Park be fully promoted -- be referred to the Rockwood Park Advisory Board. The Mayor, Chairman of the Rockwood Park Advisory Board, advised of the Board's action in sending a letter, thus the matter had been looked after and a motion of referral to the Board would be in order. Question being taken, the motion was carried. (Councillor Titus withdrew from the meeting.) 15. Saint John Chapter Of Canadian Citizenship Federation - International Year Of Older Persons On motion of Deputy Mayor Chase Seconded by Councillor Fitzpatrick RESOLVED that the letter from the Saint John Chapter of the Canadian Citizenship Federation suggesting that, as 1999 is being observed as the International Year of Older Persons, the municipality endeavour to develop a recognition program for senior citizens; and also suggesting that, as the 87 -343 COMMON COUNCIL JANUARY 18, 1999 week of February 8 to 15 is being observed as Citizenship and Heritage Week, persons who first came here as immigrants and subsequently became citizens could be recognized -- be referred to the Mayor. Question being taken, the motion was carried. 16. Roger E. Kennie Re Snow PlowinQ Of Ferris Lane On motion of Councillor Trites Seconded by Deputy Mayor Chase RESOLVED that the letter from Roger E. Kennie asking Council to address the fact that Ferris Lane off Churchland Road is not on the list of roads to be plowed by the City -- be received and filed and Mr. Kennie be advised that Ferris Lane is designated as Private 2, being entirely on private land and the City does not service any of the roadways on private land. The initial motion proposed by Deputy Mayor Chase and seconded by Councillor Fitzpatrick was to refer the above letter to the City Manager, whereupon Mr. Totten suggested that, rather than coming back to Council with a report, Mr. Groody could comment on the status of this matter at this time. Mr. Groody advised that the street in question is one of over a hundred streets that are designated Private 2 and, having checked out the lots in particular, Ferris Lane is essentially a long driveway included entirely on private property owned by Thomas Ferris, and the other three properties, one of which is owned by Mr. Kennie, appear to have been subdivided off the larger property, thus Ferris Lane is entirely on private land and the City does not service any of the roadways on private land. In response to the Mayor, Mr. Groody advised that there is a Private 1 category, being streets on which the City provides a minimum amount of service. The Mayor noted the referral motion, and Councillor Trites proposed that the letter be received and filed and responded to with Mr. Groody's comments, and the Mayor called for a seconder to this motion and the question. Question being taken, the motion was carried. Adjournment On motion of Councillor Trites Seconded by Councillor Fitzpatrick RESOLVED that this meeting be adjourned and a Committee of the Whole meeting of Council be held. Question being taken, the motion was carried. Common Clerk