Loading...
1999-11-15_Minutes 87 -755 COMMON COUNCIL NOVEMBER 15,1999 At a meeting of the Common Council, held at the City Hall in the City of Saint John, on Monday, the fifteenth day of November, AD., 1999, at 7:00 o'clock p.m. present Shirley McAlary, Mayor Deputy Mayor Chase and Councillors Ball, Chase, Court, Desmond, Trites, Vincent and White - and - Messrs. 1. Totten, City Manager; J. Nugent, City 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; S. Lodhi, Manager of Real Estate and Facility Management; D. Logan, Purchasing Agent; G. Tait, Fire Chief; 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 offered the opening prayer. 2. Approval of Minutes On motion of Councillor Trites Seconded by Councillor Desmond RESOLVED that minutes of the meeting of Common Council, held on November 8, 1999, be approved. Question being taken, the motion was carried. (Deputy Mayor Chase entered the meeting.) 3(a) Municipal Plan Amendment (b) Re-ZoninQ 439 Prince Street West The Common Clerk advised that the necessary advertising was completed with regard to (a) a proposed Municipal Plan amendment to redesignate on Schedule 2-A, the Future Land Use Plan, a parcel of land with an area of approximately 1.8 hectares (4.7 acres) located at 439 Prince Street West (former OVA Hospital site) (NBGIC Numbers 00394924, 55143606, 551436214 and 55143622), from Major Institutional to Low Density Residential classification, and (b) the proposed re-zoning of the same parcel of land from "IL-2" Major Institutional to "TH" Townhouse classification, to permit a development consisting of approximately 85 townhouse units, as requested by Home Harbour Estates, and no written objections were received in this regard. 3{c) Consideration was given to a report from the Planning Advisory Committee submitting a copy of Planning staff's report and letters received from area residents considered at the Committee's November 9, 1999 meeting at which the landowner, Chuck Crawford, expressed support for the staff recommendation, and presentations were made by two area residents in concern with regard to the proposed number of townhouse units and certain aspects of the preliminary design, and the applicant expressed a willingness to continue to work with City staff in order to address these concerns; and recommending that Common Council (1) amend the Municipal Development Plan by redesigning on Schedule 2-A an area of approximately 1.8 hectares (4.7 acres) located at 439 Prince Street West (NBGIC Numbers 00394924, 87 -756 COMMON COUNCIL NOVEMBER 15,1999 55143606,55143614 and 55143622), from Major Institutional to Low Density Residential classification; and (2) re-zoning the same area of land from "IL-2" Major Institutional to "TH" Townhouse classification. Chuck Crawford of 360 Maple Row, President of Home Harbour Estates, appeared in support of his application and, having noted that Darling Construction - the general contractors in the joint venture with him to develop the site, was represented at the meeting, advised that they were in the process of working with Planning staff to provide a development plan and the information on the detailed specifications of where the homes are to be located, lot sizes and any particular things needed with regard to the development. Mr. Crawford, referring to the letters submitted with the above report from the Planning Advisory Committee, advised the intent to provide 2.25 parking spaces per lot rather than the 1.25 originally indicated and that Prince Street West would be the main access off the site, and there would be no homes on Lancaster Avenue accessing that street as far as driveways are concerned; and, with regard to the concern about water pressure and sewerage, advised that this was not an issue as the site is on a high-pressure line and will not be drawing off the gravity-fed line off the tower and should have no effect on water pressure anywhere on the West Side, and the sewerage was no problem as there was lots of elevation and access to the sewerage lines to be able to take the sewerage away and, with respect to the mixture on the site, advised that it was anticipated that there would probably be more garden homes than townhouses on the site. On motion of Councillor Trites Seconded by Councillor White RESOLVED that the by-law entitled, "A Law To Amend The Municipal Plan By-law" by redesignating on Schedule 2-A, the Future Land Use Plan, an area of approximately 1.8 hectares (4.7 acres) located at 439 Prince Street West (NBGIC Numbers 00394924, 55143606, 55143614 and 55143622), from Major Institutional to Low Density Residential classification, be read a first time. In response to a question on the number of units, Mr. Baird commented on the subdivision process in that, once plans were finalized on details with respect to green space, access, height of units, a recommendation for subdivision plan approval would be forthcoming to Council from the Planning Advisory Committee subsequent to third reading of the subject By-law amendments, at which time any concern with respect to the number of units could be addressed. Question being taken, the motion was carried. Read a first time the by-law entitled, "A Law To Amend The Municipal Plan By-law". On motion of Councillor Desmond Seconded by Councillor Vincent RESOLVED that the by-law entitled, "A Law To Amend The Municipal Plan By-law" by redesignating on Schedule 2-A, the Future Land Use Plan, an area of approximately 1.8 hectares (4.7 acres) located at 439 Prince Street West (NBGIC Numbers 00394924,55143606,55143614 and 55143622), from Major Institutional to Low Density Residential classification, be read a second time. Question being taken, the motion was carried. Read a second time the by-law entitled, "A Law To Amend The Municipal Plan By-law". On motion of Councillor Trites Seconded by Councillor Vincent RESOLVED that the by-law to amend the Zoning By-law of the City of Saint John, insofar as it concerns re-zoning an area of approximately 1.8 hectares (4.7 acres) located at 439 Prince Street West (NBGIC Numbers 00394924,55143606,55143614 and 55143622), from "IL-2" Major Institutional to "TH" Townhouse classification, be read a first time. 87 -757 COMMON COUNCIL NOVEMBER 15,1999 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 Court Seconded by Councillor White RESOLVED that the by-law to amend the Zoning By-law of the City of Saint John, insofar as it concerns re-zoning an area of approximately 1.8 hectares (4.7 acres) located at 439 Prince Street West (NBGIC Numbers 00394924,55143606,55143614 and 55143622), from "IL-2" Major Institutional to "TH" Townhouse 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 Ball Seconded by Councillor White RESOLVED that the correspondence regarding the above-proposed amendments be received and filed. Question being taken, the motion was carried. 4(a) Zoning By-law Amendment To Re-Zone 481 MillidQe Avenue The Common Clerk advised that the necessary advertising was completed with regard to the proposed re-zoning of a parcel of land located at 481 Millidge Avenue (NBGIC Number 55115034), from "R-1 B" One Family Residential to "US" Utility and Service classification, to place the property in a zone category that reflects the present use of the site as an electrical substation and to facilitate any future expansion to the existing facility, as requested by the City of Saint John, and no written objections were received in this regard. 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 November 9, 1999 meeting at which Rick Turner, on behalf of the property owner, stated his agreement with the recommendation to re-zone the property to "US" Utility and Service; and recommending that Common Council re-zone a parcel of land located at 481 Millidge Avenue (NBGIC Number 55115034), having an area of approximately 1.9 acres, from "R-1 B" One Family Residential to "US" Utility and Service classification. Rick Turner of Hughes Surveys & Consultants Ltd. was present in support of the application, accompanied by Eric Marr of Saint John Energy, and advised of their agreement with Planning staff's recommendation, as well as staff's initiative in this re- zoning, and offered to address any concerns in this regard. On motion of Councillor Desmond 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 a parcel of land located at 481 Millidge Avenue (NBGIC Number 55115034), having an area of approximately 1.9 acres, from "R-1 B" One Family Residential to "US" Utility and Service 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. 87 -758 COMMON COUNCIL NOVEMBER 15,1999 On motion of Councillor Court Seconded by Councillor Desmond 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 481 Millidge Avenue (NBGIC Number 55115034), having an area of approximately 1.9 acres, from "R-1 B" One Family Residential to "US" Utility and Service 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 Ball Seconded by Councillor White 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 1030 Dever 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 1030 Dever Road (a portion of NBGIC Number 398693), from "1-1" Light Industrial to "R-1A" One Family Residential classification, to permit the construction of a one-family dwelling, as requested by Doug Simpson, 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 letters in favour of the proposal considered at the Committee's November 9, 1999 meeting at which no persons were present to speak in favour of or against the proposal; and recommending that Common Council re-zone a parcel of land located at 1030 Dever Road, having an area of approximately 2.5 acres, also identified as being a portion of NBGIC Number 398693, from "1-1" Light Industrial to "R-1A" One Family Residential classification. On motion of Councillor Trites Seconded by Councillor White 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 1030 Dever Road (a portion of NBGIC Number 398693), having an area of approximately 2.5 acres, from "1-1" Light Industrial to "R-1A" One Family Residential 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 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 1030 Dever Road (a portion of NBGIC Number 398693), having an area of approximately 2.5 acres, from "1-1" Light Industrial to "R-1A" One Family Residential classification, be read a second time. Question being taken, the motion was carried. 87 -759 COMMON COUNCIL NOVEMBER 15,1999 Read a second time the by-law to amend the Zoning By-law of the City of Saint John. On motion of Councillor Desmond Seconded by Councillor Court RESOLVED that the correspondence regarding the above-proposed amendment be received and filed. Question being taken, the motion was carried. 7. Mavor's Remarks Mayor McAlary proclaimed November 14, 1999 as World Diabetes Day and November 1999 as Diabetes Month in the City of Saint John, and requested the citizens of Saint John to join Council in recognizing children and their potential role in the community by the observance of National Child Day on Saturday, November 20, 1999; and expressed appreciation to the Saint John Fire Department and Saint John Police Force for their involvement in the Santa Claus Parade on November 13. 8. Tender For New Traffic Truck On motion of Councillor Trites Seconded by Councillor Vincent RESOLVED that as recommended by the City Manager, the tender of Temcon Division of John White Ltd., in the amount of $82,899, plus tax, be accepted for the supply of one new 17,000-lb cab and chassis c/w aerial lift device and bucket. Question being taken, the motion was carried. 9. Tender For Contract 99-25 On motion of Councillor Trites Seconded by Councillor Desmond RESOLVED that as recommended by the City Manager, Contract 99-25, Saint John Throughway - Sheriff Street sewer pipe lining, be awarded to the low tenderer, Insituform Technologies Limited, at the tendered price of $387,330, as calculated based upon estimated quantities, and the Mayor and Common Clerk be authorized to execute the necessary contract documents. Question being taken, the motion was carried. 10. Traffic By-law Amendment Re ParkinQ On Harmonv Drive Read a report from the City Solicitor submitting, for Council's consideration of third reading, a proposed Traffic By-law amendment which would eliminate parking on the west side of Harmony Drive, along its entire length, which was given first and second readings on November 8, 1999. On motion of Councillor Desmond Seconded by Councillor White RESOLVED that the by-law entitled, "A By- law To Amend A By-law Respecting Traffic On Streets In The City Of Saint John Made Under The Authority Of The Motor Vehicle Act, 1973, And Amendments Thereto", with regard to parking on Harmony Drive, be read a third time and enacted and the Corporate Common Seal be affixed thereto. The by-law entitled, "A By-law To Amend A By-law Respecting Traffic On Streets In The City Of Saint John Made Under The Authority Of The Motor Vehicle Act, 1973, And Amendments Thereto", was read in its entirety. Question being taken, the motion was carried. 87 -760 COMMON COUNCIL NOVEMBER 15,1999 11. Traffic By-law Amendment Re Leinster/Carmarthen Streets Read a report from the City Solicitor submitting, for Council's consideration of third reading, a proposed Traffic By-law amendment consistent with signage changes made when the traffic pattern on Leinster Street was changed and to delete the one-hour parking restriction on the south side of Leinster Street to accommodate the school bus loading zone and reflect the appropriate signage changes, which was given first and second readings on November 8, 1999. On motion of Councillor White Seconded by Councillor Desmond RESOLVED that the by-law entitled, "A By-law To Amend A By-law Respecting Traffic On Streets In The City Of Saint John Made Under The Authority Of The Motor Vehicle Act, 1973, And Amendments Thereto", with regard to Leinster and Carmarthen Streets, be read a third time and enacted and the Corporate Common Seal be affixed thereto. The by-law entitled, "A By-law To Amend A By-law Respecting Traffic On Streets In The City Of Saint John Made Under The Authority Of The Motor Vehicle Act, 1973, And Amendments Thereto", was read in its entirety. Question being taken, the motion was carried. 12. 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, November 8, 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 recommendation, namely: 1. That as recommended by the City Manager, the City of Saint John sell (1) 641 :t m2 of land formerly part of Osborne Avenue stopped up and closed September 7, 1999; (2) 480 :t m2 of land formerly part of Moore Street stopped and closed September 7, 1999; and (3) 2,400:t m2 of land being part of NBGIC Number 28258 in three parcels (as generally shown on the submitted drawing), to L.S.O. Enterprises Ltd. for the purchase price of $13.03 per square metre, with a closing date of on or before June 30, 2000, upon the following terms and conditions: (1) L.S.O. Enterprises Ltd., prior to closing, shall have prepared and pay for all subdivision plans required to facilitate the conveyances proposed herein, including such subdivision plan as is required to vest as public street the land as shown on the submitted plan for Harbour Lights Terrace; and (2) L.S.O. Enterprises Ltd., prior to closing, shall have, in writing, approval from the Development Officer of its development plan and approval from the Chief City Engineer of its engineering design of the public street currently called Moore Street; and the Mayor and Common Clerk be authorized to execute the deed; and further that L.S.O. Enterprises Ltd. be advised that, as per the submitted plan for Harbour Lights Terrace, the subject land will require re-zoning, and that Common Council is not explicitly or implicitly obligated to approve any such re-zoning application arising herefrom. November 15, 1999 Saint John, NB Respectfully submitted, (sgd.) Shirley McAlary C h air man. 87 -761 COMMON COUNCIL NOVEMBER 15,1999 12.1. Sale Of Land AlonQ Moore & Osborne Streets On motion of Councillor White Seconded by Deputy Mayor Chase RESOLVED that the above report be received and filed and the recommendation therein be adopted. Question being taken, the motion was carried with Councillor Desmond voting "nay" . 13. Planning Advisory Committee Subdivision 29 Somerset Street On motion of Councillor Court Seconded by Councillor Ball RESOLVED that as recommended by the Planning Advisory Committee, Common Council assent to the submitted tentative plan of 29 Somerset Street that would vest the front portion of the subject property, being comprised of an area of approximately 51 square metres (549 square feet), as part of the Somerset Street public right-of-way. Question being taken, the motion was carried. 14. Saint John Industrial Parks Ltd. Closure Of Surplus Portion Of Street RiQht-Of-Wav. McAllister Drive On motion of Councillor Trites Seconded by Councillor Vincent RESOLVED that the letter from Saint John Industrial Parks Ltd. advising of its interest, as well as the interest of 038301 N.B. Ltd. (Atlantic Controls), in acquiring the surplus right-of-way in front of their respective properties, being Lot 97-1 and Lot 86-1 on Mcilveen Drive, respectively, in McAllister Industrial Park, which resulted from the realignment of Mcilveen Drive; and requesting that this request be referred to the City Manager for input and a recommendation to Council, be referred to the City Manager. Question being taken, the motion was carried. 15. Monument For Shantou, China (a) Bertha Wood-Holt;{b) Eric L. Teed On motion of Councillor Desmond Seconded by Councillor Trites RESOLVED that the letter from Bertha Wood-Holt further to her previous letter on the issue of the tree and stone placed by the Mayor in King's Square for the Shantou, China twinning, be received and filed: AND FURTHER that the letter from Eric L. Teed suggesting locations for the monument for Shantou, China, be referred to the City Manager for consideration. Question being taken, the motion was carried. 16. Multicultural Association Of Saint John. Inc. Re Fort Howe Blockhouse On motion of Councillor Vincent Seconded by Councillor White RESOLVED that the letter from Multicultural Association of Saint John, Inc., reporting a successful year of operating the Fort Howe Blockhouse through a special committee of volunteers under Chairman Norman Tuplin; and advising of the need for a second floodlight, the provision of the historic Union Flag, 87 -762 COMMON COUNCIL NOVEMBER 15,1999 protective stones or log fencing around the southern side, some preservation placed on the Blockhouse woodwork, and caulking of the Blockhouse, be referred to the City Manager for the budget process. At Councillor Trites' request, referral to the budget process was included in the above motion. Question being taken, the motion was carried. The Mayor declared a recess until 8:00 o'clock p.m. at which time representatives of the Fundy Region Solid Waste Commission would be present, under item 6 on the agenda of this meeting, further to the correspondence submitted to Council on November 1, 1999. The Common Council meeting reconvened at 8:05 o'clock p.m. 6. Fundy Region Solid Waste Commission Previous Correspondence To Council John King, Chairman, and Jens Jensen, General Manager of the Fundy Region Solid Waste Commission, and Sue West of the Fundy Future Environments and Benefits Council, were present at the meeting further to the Commission's submission to Council at its November 1, 1999 Council meeting of (a) a Notice of Intention to vote on a borrowing resolution; (b) the Commission's proposed Capital and Operating Budgets for the fiscal year 2000; and (c) proposed regulatory changes, Province of New Brunswick, on provisions for reserve funds for solid waste commissions. Mr. King, in suggesting that the cost to the City would be over $100 per tonne should it be still exporting its solid waste to the Westmorland-Albert landfill as was the case two years ago prior to the opening of the Crane Mountain landfill site, described the Commission, with its twenty-two full-time employees and a state-of-the-art facility, as the local solution to the local problem. Mr. Jensen noted that the Commission, for the most part, with fourteen months of experience behind it as far as direct operation was concerned, has stabilized or contained its operating costs, and installation would be complete by Christmas of a fully functioning recycling drop-off system in the Region; and, with respect to the budget for operations, advised that, in dollar terms, operating costs for 2000 would be about what they were for 1999, with the expectation being that the drop-off depot system would remove about 6,000 tonnes of recyclable materials from the waste stream and a resultant increase in the tipping fee for the ordinary run of waste, because of those non-accessible tonnes, from $67 per tonne in 1999 to $69.50 per tonne in 2000. Mr. Jensen also advised the intent in the Year 2000 to construct the composting plant and to bring it into service in the Year 2001 at which time the Commission would go to a differential tipping fee system similar to that in other areas where this type of scheme has been set up, noting the long-term projections submitted with the budget documents; and, referencing Saint John, Rothesay and Hampton as the three municipalities in the Fundy Region that provide municipal collection as a service to their residents, advised that, in the Year 2000 because the composting plant was not on stream, the City of Saint John would actually see its bottom-line cost for disposal of its materials to the Crane Mountain landfill go down by $130,000 compared to the 1999 estimate and, in the Year 2001 with bringing the composting plant on stream on April 1 , it was estimated that the City's bottom-line figures would return very close to the 1999 figures and, in 2001 with a full year of that plant on stream, the City would be looking at something in the order of $100,000 over the 1999 figures, going from $1.2 to $1.3 million for the City's account for those years, respectively. Messrs. Jensen and King responded to questions and concerns with respect to issues, including projections on the tipping fee; the use of Zenon water purification technology; proposed cell construction in 2001; regulations for the use of reserve funds; the monitoring of groundwater; the disposal of construction and demolition waste at a special rate, and the proposed purchase of a grinding machine to grind up construction and demolition waste; and on the composting program in terms of the cost, the use and size of carts and carts versus bags, scheduling for waste pick-up, the cost of carts and of modifying trucks to accommodate cart pick-up, the need for education on composting, and the calculation of the projections of the tonnes to be taken out of the system for composting and the tonnes for the landfill for Saint John, Rothesay and Hampton; and Mr. Jensen advised that he could provide the Commission's organization chart of employees and information on the Commission's total payroll in 87 -763 COMMON COUNCIL NOVEMBER 15,1999 that, in the budget document, it was divided over the various items that relate to what the employees do. Councillor Chase, the City's representative on the Fundy Region Solid Waste Commission, asked for the Commissioner of Finance's comments on the Commission's proposed budget, and Mr. Beckett expressed the view, having had the opportunity during a staff briefing at the landfill site to go over the numbers presented to Council in more detail and look at the nature of the operation, that the information provided to staff and to Council is complete enough on which to make a recommendation and, at the heart of whether Council chooses to approve the budget at this point in time, is the commitment to the composting program, which is the significant element projected in terms of capital expenditures for next year and then impact on operating costs in the years that follow; and that discussion could be taken a number of different ways depending on what Council feels will be the success of that program and what it thinks the private enterprise's reaction and response might be to the tipping fees that would approach $100 per tonne. Mr. Beckett made the observation that, as solid waste is a volume-based business with certain costs associated with the landfill site and the programs and the tipping fee could be worked out at $90 a tonne or $70 a tonne or $54 a tonne for compost, it was more simple to look at it on an overall sense and say that x million dollars a year is needed and come up with different kinds of combinations and permutations on fees by which to raise the amount needed but, as the volume of waste goes down as waste is being directed to other streams, the tipping fee has to rise in order to ensure that the revenue stream is there; thus, by doing the right thing environmentally, there is a cost associated to it. Mr. Beckett concurred that the landfill is a first-class operation which is reflected in the cost being borne, with close to $30 million spent in terms of developing the solid waste operation. On motion of Councillor Desmond Seconded by Councillor Trites RESOLVED that the above matter be referred to the City Manager for a report to Council. Question being taken, the motion was carried. Adjournment The Mayor declared the meeting adjourned. Common Clerk