Loading...
1999-12-20_Minutes 87-804 COMMON COUNCIL DECEMBER 20, 1999 At a meeting of the Common Council, held at the City Hall in the City of Saint John, on Monday, the twentieth day of December, AD., 1999, at 7:10 o'clock p.m. present Shirley McAlary, Mayor Deputy Mayor Chase and Councillors Ball, Chase, Court, Desmond, Fitzpatrick, Titus, 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 Property Management; P. Hanlon, Manager of Water and Sewerage Services; B. Belyea, Budget Officer; 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 Rev. James Fudge of the First Pentecostal Church and Chaplain of the Saint John Police Force offered the opening prayer. 2. Approval of Minutes On motion of Councillor Titus Seconded by Councillor Vincent RESOLVED that minutes of the meeting of Common Council, held on December 13, 1999, be approved. Question being taken, the motion was carried. (Councillor Trites entered the meeting.) 3. Mavor's Remarks The Mayor updated Council on the Bridging the Centuries project on the Harbour Bridge, scheduled for New Year's Eve, December 31, commencing at 6:30 o'clock p.m., to be followed by a fireworks display, the lighting of a Saint John 2000 sign, and entertainment and refreshments at Market Square; and expressed appreciation to the sponsors of this event, noting that they were listed on the poster. 4. Qualitv Of Life Infrastructure Proposal Consideration was given to a letter from Mayor McAlary submitting a copy of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities' Quality of Life Infrastructure Program Proposal for a ten-year term involving cost sharing from the three levels of government, which has been discussed and supported by the Executive Committee of the Cities of New Brunswick Association, under the Chairmanship of Councillor Trites; and recommending that a letter be sent to The Honourable Paul Martin, The Honourable Claudette Bradshaw, Mrs. Elsie Wayne, MP, Premier Bernard Lord, The Honourable Norman Betts and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities to advise that Council strongly supports a Quality of Life Infrastructure Program that is equally cost-shared by all three levels of government: Federal, Provincial and Municipal, and that all three levels have equal input in what projects are undertaken with full consideration given to priorities identified by each municipality. 87-805 COMMON COUNCIL DECEMBER 20, 1999 On motion of Councillor Desmond Seconded by Councillor Ball RESOLVED that a letter be sent to The Honourable Paul Martin, The Honourable Claudette Bradshaw, Mrs. Elsie Wayne, MP, Premier Bernard Lord, The Honourable Norman Betts, The Honourable Joan MacAlpine, the local MLAs, and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities to advise that Council strongly supports a Quality of Life Infrastructure Program that is equally cost-shared by all three levels of government: Federal, Provincial and Municipal, and that all three levels have equal input in what projects are undertaken with full consideration given to priorities identified by each municipality. The Mayor asked that the local MLAs be included in the above motion, and Councillor Trites, a member of the FCM National Board of Directors representing the Cities of New Brunswick Association, spoke on the of FCM proposal submitted with the above letter, and asked that The Honourable Joan MacAlpine, Minister of Municipalities, also be included in the motion. Question being taken, the motion was carried. 4A. Representation - Public Utilities Board Read a letter from Deputy Mayor Chase referring to a newspaper article on Wednesday of the past week indicating that Saint John had been left out of the selections of representatives for the Public Utilities Board, and soliciting the views of the Mayor and Council on this matter which he believes Council should pursue. On motion of Deputy Mayor Chase Seconded by Councillor Titus RESOLVED that Common Council demand that the all party committee establish a membership from Saint John on the Public Utilities Board and solicit a commitment from the Premier's Office on that as soon as possible; and further that Common Council advise that it is strongly in favour of the Public Utilities Board continuing to meet in Saint John. The initial motion proposed was that that the all party committee be required to establish a membership on the Public Utilities Board from Saint John and Council solicit a commitment from the Premier's Office on that as soon as possible. Councillor Titus expressed concern that, with the setting up of one and possibly two gas companies in Fredericton where presumably all the action will be in the next three to five years, the Public Utilities Board which currently sits in Saint John might be moved to Fredericton; and suggested that Council, in forwarding a letter, should attempt to solicit a commitment from the Provincial Government that this Board stays in Saint John at 110 Charlotte Street. Councillor Vincent suggested that Council, in its motion, should insist that Saint John have a representative on the Board, and Deputy Mayor Chase agreed to change the motion to demand a representative and add that Council was strongly in favour of the Public Utilities Board continuing to meet in Saint John, and the motion was changed accordingly. Question being taken, the motion was carried. 5. Benches In Boardwalk Area And UnderQround ParkinQ On motion of Councillor Titus Seconded by Deputy Mayor Chase RESOLVED that the letter from Councillor Titus advising of his recent opportunity to meet with a number of citizens from the Smythe Street area who requested that these matters be brought to Council's attention: (1) benches in the Boardwalk area, and (2) parking (underground), the costs and designation of spots for residents; and requesting that these matters be referred to staff to contact this group, discuss these issues, and report back to Council, be referred to the City Manager. 87 -806 COMMON COUNCIL DECEMBER 20, 1999 Councillor Titus advised his intent to provide the City Manager with the names of the people with whom he could follow through in the above regard. Question being taken, the motion was carried. 6. Filling Of Vacancies On Preservation Review Board Read a letter from Councillor Titus referring to the requirement under Section 8(2)(A) in the Municipal Heritage Preservation Act for one member of the Municipal Council to be a member of the Preservation Review Board, and the requirement under Section 8(9) for a vacancy to be filled within thirty days of notification; and requesting, as Council has received said notification, that Council consider an appointment immediately as there may be some concern over the proper constitution of the Board without a member referred to in Section 8(2)(A), In response to Councillor Titus' reference to an item on the agenda where the Deputy Mayor would sit as Council's representative on the Board, the Mayor noted that this was a Committee of the Whole item and had not been moved to open session as yet. Councillor Titus spoke on the basis of his concern that, as Council received notification months ago, there may be a question of whether that Board is properly constituted unless there is a member of Council on it. On motion of Councillor Titus Seconded by Councillor Trites RESOLVED that the above letter be received and filed. Question being taken, the motion was carried. 7.2000 OperatinQ BudQet: General Fund Consideration was given to a report from the City Manager describing the submitted 2000 Operating Budget - General Fund as one of staying the course which, in simple terms based on Council's direction to staff, means that service levels are to remain constant unless improvements could be made within existing budget envelopes, the City's contractual commitments to the bargaining units and others are to be met, and there was not to be a net increase in the compliment of departmental employees funded by the taxpayers of the community; and advising that departmental submissions adhered to this policy and, while municipal commissions were not necessarily provided this same directive, staff is of the opinion that every possible effort was made by commissions to adhere to the general intent of the directive. With respect to the revenue side, the report advises that total revenues, based on the recommended tax rate of $1.725 are estimated to be $89,014,435, an increase of $2,200,735 from 1999 to come directly from commercial and residential taxpayers as a result of a 2.5% increase in the City's tax base; and, on the expenditure side, advises that total outlays in 2000 are projected to increase 2.54% to $89,014,435, most significantly represented by the following increased expenditures: (1) an obligation to meet the City's contractual commitments to its labour force, the vast majority of which is directly related to Police and Fire (in both 1999 and 2000) - $1,200,000; (2) an obligation to increase funding to the regional facilities, as approved by the Regional Facilities Commission - $139,000; (3) additional funding to the Transit Commission to ensure existing service levels are maintained - $140,000; (4) a recognition that the cost of fuel, asphalt, salt, and all other goods and services are subject to inflation - $300,000; and (5) an effort to finance more capital work from operations, depending on the outcome of a number of unknowns - $500,000. The report includes diagrams comparing the composition of the revenue sources in 1990 and 2000, as well as a table comparing expenditures by major category in 1990 and 2000, and concludes that, as over the next few years it is anticipated that growth in expenditures will outstrip the growth in revenues available without gradual increases in the tax rate, Council must set its mind to the issue of finding a balance between the community desire for a constant tax rate and the competing community desire to maintain the enhanced level of service currently being provided. 87 -807 COMMON COUNCIL DECEMBER 20, 1999 On motion of Councillor Trites Seconded by Councillor Fitzpatrick RESOLVED that the 2000 Municipal Tax Rate be set at $1.725 per $100 of assessment: AND FURTHER that the amount of $89,014,435 be adopted as the estimate required for the operation of the City of Saint John for 2000 as follows: General Government Services Protective Services Transportation Services Environmental Health Services Environmental Development Services Recreation and Cultural Services Fiscal Charges $ 7,554,645 $34,217,768 $18,428,521 $ 2,559,984 $ 6,857,636 $ 6,299,330 $13,096,551 AND FURTHER that the amount of $6,346,903 be adopted as the estimate for non-tax revenue for the year 2000: AND FURTHER that the Provincial Unconditional Grant of $21,245,578 be incorporated in the 2000 Budget: AND FURTHER that the estimate required to be raised by levy on real property assessment liable to taxation under the Assessment Act within the City for the year 2000 be adopted in the amount of $61 ,421 ,954: AND FURTHER that the Commissioner of Finance be given authority to disburse funds, the time of which is to be at his discretion, to the organizations mentioned on Schedule 4. Mr. Totten highlighted the above report, and during discussion the Mayor commended the City Manager and staff for their continued dedication and commitment to the citizens of the City of Saint John. Question being taken, the motion was carried. 8. Provision Of Compensatory Storage Westmorland Road Development On motion of Councillor Desmond Seconded by Councillor White RESOLVED that the report from the City Manager submitting a copy of correspondence from ADI Limited seeking approval on behalf of First Westmorland Shopping Centres Ltd. to begin construction of Phase II of the Westmorland Road commercial development and to pursue cash-in-lieu of on-site flood storage with the City; and recommending that First Westmorland Shopping Centres Ltd. be advised that Common Council will sell compensatory storage, calculated at the rate of $5.41 per cubic metre, for each cubic metre of flood storage displaced by the development, up to $8,0000 cubic metres, at Westmorland Road, be received and filed and the recommendation adopted. Question being taken, the motion was carried. 9. Feasibility Study & Conceptual Design Increased StoraQe Capacity. Mvsterv Lake On motion of Councillor Titus Seconded by Councillor Fitzpatrick RESOLVED that the report from the City Manager advising the response to the call for proposals for consulting services for a study to investigate and provide a conceptual design for increased storage capacity at Mystery Lake, for which an allocation of funds was provided in the 1999 Capital Program, and that ADI Limited's technical submission, which had the lowest bid, was 87 -808 COMMON COUNCIL DECEMBER 20, 1999 unanimously selected by the Review Committee, and that a purchase order has been issued to ADI Limited under the approval authority of the City Manager as per the Procurement Policy of the City of Saint John, be received and filed. Question being taken, the motion was carried. 10. Applications For Zoning By-law Amendments City-Owned Land At 171 and 257 Mark Drive Consideration was given to a report from the City Manager referring to the applications of Moose Mountain Farms Ltd. and Silver Falls Park Development Company Limited, under items 22 and 23 on the agenda of this meeting, for re-zoning of various lands in the Mark Drive area to the "BP" Business Park zone, both of which include portions of properties currently owned by the City at 171 and 257 Mark Drive, as illustrated on the submitted Map 1; and advising that a portion of the 171 Mark Drive property is included in the Moose Mountain Farms application and a portion of the 257 Mark Drive property is included in the Silver Falls Park Development Company Limited application and, as an application for re-zoning must include authorization of the owner, it is recommended that Common Council give its authorization concerning the two parcels at this time and also initiate re-zoning of the remainder of the Land for Public Purposes parcel at 171 Mark Drive, plus a small adjacent portion of the Moose Mountain Farms property as illustrated on the submitted Map 2. On motion of Councillor Trites Seconded by Councillor Fitzpatrick RESOLVED that as recommended by the City Manager, Common Council (1) authorize Moose Mountain Farms Ltd. to make an application to re-zone an approximately 6850-square-metre portion of 171 Mark Drive (a portion of NBGIC Number 424432) from "I-R" Restricted Industrial to "BP" Business Park classification; (2) authorize Silver Falls Park Development Company Limited to make an application to re-zone an approximately 3120-square-metre portion of 257 Mark Drive (a portion of NBGIC Number 424440) from "R-2" One- and Two Family Residential to "BP" Business Park classification; and (3) refer the proposed re-zoning of the balance of the property located at 171 Mark Drive (a portion of NBGIC Number 424432), as well as an adjacent portion of the Moose Mountain Farms Ltd. property (a portion of NBGIC Number 436659), from "I-R" Restricted Industrial to "R-2" One- and Two Family Residential classification, to the Planning Advisory Committee for a report and recommendation, and authorize advertising for a public hearing to be held on Monday, January 24,2000 at 7:00 o'clock p.m. Question being taken, the motion was carried. 11. Licensed Restaurants In "B-1". RM-2" & "RM-3" Zones Read a report from the City Manager referring to Common Council's consideration on December 6, 1999 of an application to amend the Section 39 conditions attached to the "B-1" Local Business zoning of the Friendly Convenience Store at 241 Millidge Avenue, the major issue with respect to the proposal being whether or not the operation should include a Dining Room Liquor license and a further issue being the ability of the applicant to install video lottery terminals (VL Ts) as a result of holding a liquor license; also referring to a suggestion at that meeting that a licensed restaurant is not a desirable use in the "B-1" Local Business zone; and, as the concern appears to be with respect to licensed restaurants in residential and local business areas, submitting an amendment to the Zoning By-law to amend the "B-1", "RM-2" and "RM-3" zone provisions so that only restaurants without a liquor license would be permitted in these three zones; suggesting that it would also be appropriate for Council to consider adoption of a resolution pursuant to Section 71 of the Community Planning Act which would have the effect of prohibiting any new development affected by the proposed by-law until such time that the by-law becomes valid or fails to become valid. On motion of Councillor Court Seconded by Councillor Trites RESOLVED that as recommended by the City Manager, (1) Common Council refer the proposed Zoning By-law amendment 87 -809 COMMON COUNCIL DECEMBER 20, 1999 submitted in Schedule A to the Planning Advisory Committee for recommendation, authorize advertisement and set a public hearing date of Monday, January 24, 2000 at 7:00 o'clock p.m., for consideration of the amendment; and (2) Common Council resolve that, pursuant to Section 71 of the Community Planning Act, developments which are affected by the proposed Zoning By-law amendment submitted in Schedule A are prohibited until final determination of the proposed by-law. Question being taken, the motion was carried. 12. Re 1999-2003 Collective Agreement With Outside Workers (CUPE Local 18) On motion of Councillor Trites Seconded by Councillor White RESOLVED that the report from the City Manager commenting on the following issues with regard to the1999-2003 collective agreement with the City's Outside Workers, CUPE Local 18, which not only provides terms and conditions to the end of the year 2003 but helped formalize a new course for employer-employee relations that had started some two years earlier: (1) services delivered by the Outside Workers; (2) organization of the Outside workforce; (3) major change provisions of the collective agreement; and (4) projected costing estimates; and submitting a copy of the annual shift cycle for Municipal Operations, be received and filed. Mr. Totten noted that the above report was in response to a November 8, 1999 Council resolution on the matter of the relationship and the changes in the work place that have flowed from a number of changes, particularly shift work; and Mr. Groody reviewed the above report. (Councillor Fitzpatrick withdrew from the meeting during the above comments.) Question being taken, the motion was carried. 13. Re William Brienza's Request For GarbaQe Collection. 36 Richmond Street On motion of Councillor White Seconded by Councillor Trites RESOLVED that the report from the City Manager following up on William Brienza's request for the City to resume garbage collection from his property at 36 Richmond Street, which was considered by Council on November 22, 1999; advising that Mr. Brienza's property is taxed as commercial and, as such, is not eligible for municipal collection under current By-law provisions; and recommending that this report be received and filed and Mr. Brienza be advised that City garbage collection will not be reinstated but that his concerns will be considered in drafting updated provisions for the Solid Waste By-law, be received and filed and the recommendation adopted. Question being taken, the motion was carried. 14. City Market By-law Amendment Re December 27.1999 Closure Read a letter from the City Solicitor submitting for Council's consideration of third reading a proposed City Market By-law amendment that would permit the City Market to close on December 27, 1999. On motion of Councillor Desmond Seconded by Councillor White RESOLVED that the by-law entitled, "By-law Number C-115-20 A By-law To Amend A By-law Relating To The Market In The City Of Saint John", with regard to a December 27, 1999 closure, be read a third time and enacted and the Corporate Common Seal be affixed thereto. 87-810 COMMON COUNCIL DECEMBER 20, 1999 The by-law entitled, "By-law Number C-115-20 A By-law To Amend A By- law Relating To The Market In The City Of Saint John", was read in its entirety. Question being taken, the motion was carried. 15. RemovinQ Property From A Preservation Area Consideration was given to a report from the City Solicitor further to Council's consideration on December 9, 1999 of the Preservation Review Board's report dealing with a request of the owner of 40 Orange Street to have his property excluded from the application of the Preservation Areas By-law, the Board's recommendation being to deny the request, and the subsequent referral for a report identifying the procedure required to remove a property from the ambit of this By-law; and setting out a resolution, if Council wished to proceed with consideration of an amendment of the Preservation Areas By-law to remove the property at 40 Orange Street from the By-law's ambit, that would authorize the Common Clerk to undertake the appropriate publication of the required notice, and schedule a public hearing for the purpose of Council's consideration of an amendment to the Saint John Preservation Areas By-law which would remove the property at 40 Orange Street from the By-law's application. On motion of Councillor Titus Seconded by Councillor Trites RESOLVED that the above report from the City Solicitor be received and filed. Question being taken, the motion was carried. 16. Bv-Iaw RelatinQ To Halloween Read a report from the City Solicitor regarding the proposed by-law relating to Halloween, which was tabled at the December 13, 1999 Council meeting having been given first and second readings on December 6, 1999; explaining why, in his opinion, a Halloween by-law would be beyond the City's authority, as would a by-law designating the date upon which Mother's Day or Valentine's Day must be celebrated; and concluding that, if Council wished to have the municipal corporation celebrate Halloween on October 31, for example, at its community centres, that can be achieved by resolution and, similarly, Council by resolution may encourage the inhabitants of the municipality to do likewise, the latter in his understanding being the approach adopted in Moncton and Fredericton. On motion of Councillor Trites Seconded by Councillor Court RESOLVED that the above report from the City Solicitor be received and filed. Councillor Titus advised that he would not support the above motion as there should be a formal Council resolution to state the obvious, that being that Halloween is the 31st day of October. (Councillor Ball withdrew from and Councillor Fitzpatrick re-entered the meeting.) Question being taken, the motion was carried with Deputy Mayor Chase and Councillor Titus voting "nay". 17. Business Improvement Levv Bv-Iaw Amendment On motion of Councillor Trites Seconded by Councillor Fitzpatrick RESOLVED that the by-law entitled, "By-law Number B-114-11 A Law To Amend The Business Improvement Levy By-law", be read a third time and enacted and the Corporate Common Seal be affixed thereto. 87-811 COMMON COUNCIL DECEMBER 20, 1999 The by-law entitled, "By-law Number B-114-11 A Law To Amend The Business Improvement Levy By-law", was read in its entirety. (Councillor Fitzpatrick withdrew from the meeting.) Question being taken, the motion was carried. (Councillor Ball re-entered the meeting.) 18. 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, December 13,1999, when there were present Mayor McAlary, Deputy Mayor Chase and Councillors Chase, Court, Desmond, Fitzpatrick, Titus, Trites, Vincent and White, and your Committee submits the following recommendations, namely: 1. That as recommended by the City Manager, Common Council subdivide an 8.5:t acre portion of NBGIC Number 411884 along Churchill Boulevard, as generally shown on the submitted plan, and sell the subdivided land to Spectrum Enterprises Ltd. for the purchase price of $37,400 (plus HST, if applicable), with a closing date of on or before March 31,2000, and the Mayor and Common Clerk be authorized to execute the deed. 2. That as recommended by the City Manager, (1) pursuant to the July 20, 1999 Option Agreement for the sale and development of Red Rose Tea (Parcel 1 ) and Drury Lane parking lot (Parcel 2) sites, Common Council approve the Development Plan submitted by Red Rose Tea Financial Inc.; and (2) Common Council amend its resolution of July 12, 1999, pertaining to the sale and development of the Red Rose Tea and Drury Lane parking lot sites by deleting from paragraph 1 of the submitted Option Agreement the date December 31, 1999 and substituting therefor the date January 31, 2000, and all other aspects of the resolution remain the same. December 20, 1999, Saint John, N.B. Respectfully submitted, (sgd.) Shirley McAlary, C h air man. 18.1. Subdivision & Sale Of Property AlonQ Churchill Boulevard Property On motion of Councillor Desmond Seconded by Councillor White RESOLVED that section 1 of the above report be adopted. (Councillor Trites withdrew from the meeting.) Question being taken, the motion was carried. 18.2. Development Plan For Red Rose Tea & Drury Lane Parking Lot Sites, Amendment To July 12,1999 Council Resolution Re Sale & Development Of Sites On motion of Councillor Desmond Seconded by Councillor Court RESOLVED that section 2 of the above report be adopted. 87-812 COMMON COUNCIL DECEMBER 20, 1999 Question being taken, the motion was carried. The Mayor called for a motion to add to the agenda of this meeting a recommendation from Committee of the Whole earlier this date on appointments to the Planning Advisory Committee; and Councillor Titus asked that, as he made reference earlier in this meeting to an appointment to the Preservation Review Board which was also considered in Committee of the Whole earlier this date, this also be added to the agenda of this meeting. * Added Item On motion of Councillor Court Seconded by Councillor White RESOLVED that the above-mentioned recommendations from Committee of the Whole earlier this date be added to the agenda of this meeting for consideration at this time as items 18(3) and 18(4), respectively. (Councillor Fitzpatrick re-entered the meeting.) Question being taken, the motion was carried with Councillor Desmond voting "nay". *18(3) Appointments To PlanninQ Advisorv Committee On motion of Deputy Mayor Chase Seconded by Councillor White RESOLVED that as recommended by the Nominating Committee, Brian D. Moore be re-appointed and Donald A Bonnell and Cyril J. Smith be appointed to the Planning Advisory Committee for a term of three years effective January 1, 2000. Question being taken, the motion was carried with Councillors Titus and Vincent voting "nay". *18(4) Appointment To Preservation Review Board On motion of Councillor Ball Seconded by Councillor White RESOLVED that Deputy Mayor Chase be appointed to the Preservation Review Board. Question being taken, the motion was carried. 18A. Power Commission of the City Of Saint John (Saint John EnerQV) Christmas LiQhtinQ ProQram On motion of Councillor Vincent Seconded by Deputy Mayor Chase RESOLVED that the letter from Richard A Burpee, General Manager of The Power Commission of the City of Saint John (Saint John Energy) advising that, in response to Terry Totten's letter of November 15, 1999, he requested the Board of Commissioners to offer a decision on the future of shared costing with regard to Christmas lighting; providing a brief history of this venture from the late 1950s to 1998 during which time the City for a couple of years assumed the full cost of installation and in 1998 the Board of Commissioners decided to fund 100% of the costs and to review this annually in the future to determine funding levels; advising of the Board's approval in 1999 to fund, in its entirety, the cost of construction and maintenance of a millennium sign in celebration of the new century, at a cost estimated at between $55,000 to $60,000; and concluding that the Commission would like to participate in civic projects annually but would like to reserve decisions on funding levels until all projects scheduled for each year are known, be received and filed. 87-813 COMMON COUNCIL DECEMBER 20, 1999 Question being taken, the motion was carried. The Mayor noted that no approval had been given for the City to cost share in the Christmas Decorative Lighting Program as the matter was referred to the City Manager at the November 8, 1999 Council meeting. On motion of Councillor Desmond Seconded by Councillor Fitzpatrick RESOLVED that as recommended by the City Manager, Common Council authorize Saint John Energy to proceed with the Christmas Decorative Lighting Program on the basis of a 50/50 cost sharing with the Municipality. (Councillor Trites re-entered the meeting.) Councillor Titus, a member of the Power Commission of the City of Saint John, spoke on the basis of the cost to the taxpayers, referencing the indication in the above letter that, in 1998, it was the Board of Commissioners' decision to fund 100% of the costs of Christmas lighting for that particular year in that, as Council's representative on the Board at that time, he pushed the issue and persuaded the Board to pay the full amount; however, when this issue came up, the person concerned went over his head. Councillor Titus suggested that, although the above letter indicates that during 1999 the City approached the Power Commission for funding of a millennium sign, it was his understanding that the Chairman of that committee, not the City, approached the Power Commission; and advised that he opposed it at the Commission because of the cost to the taxpayers. The Mayor confirmed that the City did not approach the Commission on the millennium sign but rather that the committee, which was in place for that project, approached the Saint John Energy Board and it had nothing to do with Council. Question being taken, the motion was carried. 19. Multicultural Association Of Saint John. Inc. Re Millennium Memorial On motion of Councillor Desmond Seconded by Councillor Titus RESOLVED that the letter from Multicultural Association of Saint John, Inc., advising that it has accepted a suggestion that it sponsor a special grove of trees to be located in Queen Square West with each tree to represent an ethnic group or country from which a resident of the City originated, such project to be called the Millennium Heritage Memoria/ Tree Grove and that, with the City's approval of this concept, the Association would then commence seeking the necessary information and funds with a view to having a major tree planting during the year 2000, be referred to the City Manager. Question being taken, the motion was carried. 20. Request For Financial Support Convention 2002, Canadian National Square & Round Dance Convention On motion of Councillor Vincent Seconded by Councillor Trites RESOLVED that the letter from Convention 2002 requesting financial support in defraying its expenses in its promotion of the 13th Canadian National Square & Round Dance Convention being held in Saint John on July 18-20, 2002, be referred to the City Manager. Question being taken, the motion was carried. 87-814 COMMON COUNCIL DECEMBER 20, 1999 21. Horst SauerteiQ - CompostinQ ProQram On motion of Councillor Fitzpatrick Seconded by Councillor Trites RESOLVED that the letter from Horst Sauerteig submitting copies of his letters to the Fundy Region Solid Waste Commission and to Councillor Chase, the City's representative on the Commission; and offering his remarks on the Commission's proposed composting program, be referred to the Fundy Region Solid Waste Commission and the Commission be requested to forward a copy of its response to Council. (Councillor Titus withdrew from the meeting.) Question being taken, the motion was carried. 22. Moose Mountain Farms Ltd. - Re-Zoning Loch Lomond Road / Mark Drive Property On motion of Councillor Trites Seconded by Councillor Fitzpatrick RESOLVED that the application of Moose Mountain Farms Ltd. for the re-zoning of property on Loch Lomond Road and Mark Drive be referred to the Planning Advisory Committee for a report and recommendation and that the necessary advertising be authorized in this regard, with the public hearing to be held on Monday, January 24,2000, at 7:00 o'clock p.m. Question being taken, the motion was carried. 23. Silver Falls Park Development Company Limited - Re-ZoninQ Of Property On Mark Drive On motion of Councillor Fitzpatrick Seconded by Councillor Desmond RESOLVED that the application of Silver Falls Park Development Company Limited for the re-zoning of property on Mark Drive be referred to the Planning Advisory Committee for a report and recommendation and that the necessary advertising be authorized in this regard, with the public hearing to be held on Monday, January 24,2000, at 7:00 o'clock p.m. Question being taken, the motion was carried. 24. International Longshoremen's Association ForQiveness Of Debt - Belledune Port Consideration was given to a letter from the International Longshoremen's Association, Local 273, requesting support of its position with respect to the recent debate on the forgiveness of all of the Port of Belledune's debts, as set out in the submitted copy of its letter to the Editor of the Telegraph Journal and, if possible, to convey it to the Federal and Provincial Governments. The Mayor suggested that a draft letter could be prepared for Council's consideration at the next meeting, whereupon a motion was proposed to refer the above matter to the City Manager for a report. Deputy Mayor Chase referred to a letter to Premier Bernard Lord from the Saint John Port Authority in this regard (copies of which were forwarded to Council members as an information item), in that it reflected what the ILA would like Council to support. In response to Councillor Vincent's concern about a time factor, the Mayor suggested that, as the Ports Canada Corporation was to be disbanded the end of this year and most likely could be making a recommendation on whether or not the debt should be written off, Council should have its letters in before December 31 and, in recommending that the information should be gathered and the letter on behalf of Council be sent this week, commented on what the contents of this letter would be. The referral motion was withdrawn. 87-815 COMMON COUNCIL DECEMBER 20, 1999 On motion of Councillor Vincent Seconded by Councillor Trites RESOLVED that the Common Council of the City of Saint John go on record advising the Province and the Federal Government that it believes there should be only one port in New Brunswick with full port status, that being the Port of the City of Saint John. The Mayor suggested that a copy of the letter in this regard would be provided to Council members as an information item. Question being taken, the motion was carried. Adjournment The Mayor noted that Council's next meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, January 4,2000, at 7:00 o'clock p.m., and the meeting adjourned. Common Clerk