Loading...
2002-03-11_Minutes 88-911 COMMON COUNCIL MARCH 11, 2002 At a meeting of the Common Council, held at the City Hall in the City of Saint John, on Monday, the eleventh day of March, AD. 2002, at 7:00 o'clock p.m. present Shirley McAlary, Mayor Deputy Mayor White and Councillors Ball, Court, Desmond, Fitzgerald, Fitzpatrick, Teed, Titus and Trites - and - Messrs. 1. Totten, City Manager; J. Nugent, City Solicitor; A Beckett, Commissioner of Finance and Commissioner of Corporate Services; P. Woods, Deputy City Manager; P. Groody, Commissioner of Municipal Operations; W. Butler, Commissioner of Community Services; J. Baird, Commissioner of Planning and Development; W. Edwards, Commissioner of Buildings and Inspection Services; S. Galbraith, Director of Works; D. Logan, Purchasing Agent; G. Tait, Fire Chief; A Bodechon, Deputy 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 Desmond Seconded by Deputy Mayor White RESOLVED that minutes of the meeting of Common Council, held on March 4, 2002, be approved. Question being taken, the motion was carried. The Mayor noted the commencement of St. Patrick's week in the City during which time a number of activities would be held. 4. Habitat For Humanity - Permit Costs On motion of Councillor Trites Seconded by Councillor Fitzpatrick RESOLVED that the letter from Mayor McAlary submitting a letter from Habitat for Humanity Saint John Region Inc. requesting a donation of the City's services again this year, the City last year having generously donated all permits at an approximate cost of $3,000 to $4,000, required to build its fifth affordable home in Saint John at Mount Pleasant Avenue East, be received and filed and a grant in lieu of the permit costs be approved. The Mayor noted that the house would be built at 264 Mount Pleasant Avenue East, and Mr. Edwards pointed out that, in the permits listed, the electrical permit would be issued by the Province of New Brunswick, not the City. Question being taken, the motion was carried. 5. China Tour April 2002 Read a letter from Councillor Ball asking that his submitted letter on the China Tour April 2002, which was considered at the February 18, 2002 Committee of the Whole meeting, be advanced to the open session agenda of this meeting, such submission comprised of eight pages, including a letter of invitation, a travel agenda and a price quotation. 88-912 COMMON COUNCIL MARCH 11, 2002 Councillor Ball expressed the understanding that the proposed tour has been postponed for later in the year, thus it would be rather premature for him to discuss it at this time. On motion of Councillor Ball Seconded by Councillor Titus RESOLVED that the above letter from Councillor Ball be received and filed. Question being taken, the motion was carried. 6. Matters Referred Bv Council Consideration was given to a letter from Councillor Teed regarding the following matters referred by Council to several organizations to which no response appears to have been reported: (1) Board of Trade - June 4,2001 - economic value of education system, August 20, 2001 - decreasing population of the City; (2) Uptown Saint John Inc. - July 9, 2001 - old advertising signs on buildings in City's heritage area, September 4, 2001 - appearance of vacant buildings in the Uptown area; (3) Rockwood Park Advisory Board - viewing tower south of Lily Lake; and (4) Parkin!:) Commission - July 9, 2001 - rental income from parking lots on south side of Magazine Street on Fort Howe. On motion of Councillor Teed Seconded by Councillor Fitzgerald RESOLVED that the organizations named in the above letter be requested to inform Council when Council might expect some information as to what action has been or is being taken. Question being taken, the motion was carried. 7. Luxurv Rail Vacation On motion of Councillor Teed Seconded by Councillor Trites RESOLVED that the letter from Councillor Teed submitting a copy of a newspaper article regarding a new luxury cruise line on rails, which is scheduled to commence with the first arrival in the City on July 12 and could result in a major addition of some 3400 visitors to the City this year, and proposing that the Tourist Department or other appropriate City staff be requested to inform Council of plans and ramifications of this new adventure for the City, be referred to the City Manager. Question being taken, the motion was carried. 8. Recreation Facilitv And Activities On motion of Councillor Teed Seconded by Deputy Mayor White RESOLVED that the letter from Councillor Teed submitting a copy of a newspaper article concerning Fredericton's recreation facilities and activities; suggesting that it could be useful to the public and the Council members to be informed of how many of the items listed herein are maintained by Saint John so citizens might better appreciate the work of the Recreation and Parks Department, and proposing that the Commissioner be requested to furnish such information, be referred to the City Manager for a report. Question being taken, the motion was carried. 9. Closed Committee Of The Whole Read a letter from Councillor Teed referring to the March 4, 2002 presentation made by the Saint John YM- YWCA in closed session of the Committee of 88-913 COMMON COUNCIL MARCH 11, 2002 the Whole respecting the acquisition of the Aquatic Centre and additional lands from the City, his understanding of the unwritten rule being that discussions in closed session are intended to be private; and also referring to a story or news release in the March 5, 2002 newspaper based on an interview with the YM- YWCA officer who attended the closed meeting which purported to set out some of the discussions, this clearly being a complete breach and violation of the concept of private confidential discussions which were requested by the YM-YWCA and were the subject of the meeting. On motion of Councillor Teed Seconded by Councillor Court RESOLVED that Council accept as its policy that, when a party seeks a meeting in closed session of the Committee of the Whole of Council, if any information disclosing the content of the discussions is given to the public through the news media or otherwise by the party who requested the closed session, Council members will thereafter be completely free to give their understanding and views of the discussions at the meeting. The Mayor advised that she could not support the motion because Councillors should not break the rules just because others do, and Councillor Titus concurred with the Mayor in this regard, expressing the understanding that, although there was nothing to prevent Council members from speaking publicly about what took place in private session, there was a bit of an understanding or moral obligation not to do so; and advised that he would not support a group's second request to appear again in private session if it had done so and subsequently talked about it in the press. On motion of Councillor Trites Seconded by Councillor Teed RESOLVED that the above matter be referred to the Council committee reviewing the Council Procedural By-law. Question being taken, the referral motion was carried. 10. Tenants And Landlords Read a letter from Councillor Teed referring to the concern about protection of tenants from uncaring or slum landlords in that the prevailing philosophy has been to wait until the government does something; suggesting, as an alternative, that a special committee be established to review what presently exists and determine if any changes within the power of the City can be made which might improve the situation; and proposing that the City establish a special by-law review committee to be composed of the following (a) members of Council with legal training, (b) one lawyer nominated by the Saint John Law Society, (c) one lawyer nominated by the Municipal Law Section of the Canadian Bar Association, (d) the City Solicitor or his designate, (e) one person nominated by the N.B. Anti-Poverty Association, and (f) one person nominated by the Saint John Real Estate Board, with the committee to (1) select its own chairperson, (2) undertake a review of the law and City by-laws respecting control of adequate accommodations and the procedures for enforcing minimum standards and present recommendations it may feel could improve the current situation, and (3) forward a report to Council monthly on its work until it completes its deliberations, and further that the above-named organizations be requested to nominate a person within the next two weeks. Councillor Teed proposed a motion, which was not seconded, to establish the committee as proposed in his above letter, whereupon the Mayor asked if Councilllor Teed would agree, because the City Solicitor was working on a by-law committee with the Province and was the one who reviewed City by-laws along with the City Manager, to refer this matter to the City Manager and the City Solicitor for a report to Council. Mr. Nugent assured Council that, while the issue of sub-standard accommodation in the community has been highly profiled in the media for the past two months, this very subject has been, and continues to be, the subject of very considerable commitment of time and effort by City staff that long predated the attention it has received in the press, and he would think it would be valuable for Council to receive a report which would (a) describe the nature and extent of the sub-standard housing problem in the community to profile, in a sense, the owners of housing of this sort, particularly identifying the number of owners who may have more than one property which is significantly in violation of the 88-914 COMMON COUNCIL MARCH 11, 2002 codes that apply, and (b) review the by-laws that a municipality is empowered to adopt dealing with the subject, the by-laws that Council has adopted, the investigation, inspection and enforcement regime that has been in place for some time and continues to be in place, and the progress that is being made on the initiative of getting the Province to obtain improvements to the existing legislation, and he would think it would be helpful for Council to initially have that information before it with respect to this subject. On motion of Councillor Trites Seconded by Councillor Titus RESOLVED that the above matter be referred to the City Manager and the City Solicitor for a report to Council. Question being taken, the motion was carried. 3. NB Power - Coleson Cove Refurbishment Consideration was given to the November 7,2001 letter from Jim Brogan, Vice President, Generation (Conventional), NB Power, advising that the objective of the Coleson Cove Generating Station refurbishment was to meet new and emerging environmental standards for sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxide and particulate emissions, as well as to provide reliable electric power with stable rates; and indicating the intent to provide a briefing on the project, its current status and the upcoming phases (having been invited to do so by Council resolution of June 4,2001); and also to the March 7, 2002 letter from Pamela McKay, Manager, Public Relations, NB Power, advising the intention for Jim Brogan to present on the Coleson Cove refurbishment project and for John Sturgeon, Plant Operations Engineer, to present on behalf of BITOR America Corporation, the fuel supplier, and submitting a package of general information on the project and copies of the presentations. Accompanying Messrs. Brogan and Sturgeon at the meeting were Charles Hickman who was responsible for all of the work being undertaken as part of the environmental impact assessment, and Project Director Gaetan Thomas. Jim Brogan and John Sturgeon addressed Council in turn, through a computer-aided presentation, and Mr. Brogan reviewed the need for the refurbishment, the project particulars and benefits and the time lines, the preferred option, to ensure a thousand megawatts of reliable energy from the facility and to meet all environmental regulations, as well as being the most economic way to meet the fundamental requirements of reliability and the environmental regulations, being to convert all three units at the plant from heavy fuel oil to orimulsion, to be supplied by tanker at Can aport from Venezuela; and advised that the total project costs would be $750 million, with the plant scheduled to be in service on orimulsion by the fall of 2004 and the plant life extended from 2017 to 2030. Mr. Brogan commented on NB Power's experience with orimulsion, having converted its Dalhousie plant to orimulsion in 1994, as well as on the upgrades to be undertaken at Coleson Cove, involving the installation of a scrubber system - a sulphur removal unit to reduce sulphur dioxide (S02) emissions, a wet electrostatic precipator to reduce the fine particulate emissions, and boiler modifications and combustion equipment to enable fuel switching from heavy oil to orimulsion and reduction of nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions; and advised that, although the project was targeted to clean up the plume now seen coming from the Coleson Cove plant, which was contributed primarily to by nitrogen oxide and particulate, the plume, because of the moisture used in the scrubbing process, will be a white, or a steam, plume instead of the brownish plume presently seen, and referenced a graph on emissions improvements in terms of targeted reductions of 77%, 70% and 55% or better, in S02, NOx and particulate emissions, respectively. Mr. Brogan also commented on the labour requirements for the project, involving the creation of an estimated 2,150 person-year jobs for engineering and project management and construction trades, and on the intent for the fuel to be off- loaded at Can aport, as well as on the project benefits anticipated in terms of reliability, environmental standards and stable rates. Mr. Brogan also advised that the next public hearing to be undertaken with the Public Utilities Board would be on the pipeline needed to deliver fuel from Canaport to the Coleson Cove plant, the intention being to use the existing pipeline with a short run of new additional piping in order to get from Canaport over to the Refinery, and to have the shipping contingency plan, which is a Federal requirement, completed by this summer, and summarized the work that needed to be undertaken as part of the environmental impact assessment, involving a comparison of the existing operation to the proposed operation on orimulsion and a comparison of the 88-915 COMMON COUNCIL MARCH 11, 2002 existing operation and natural gas to determine the environmental benefits of natural gas versus the existing operation and in comparison to orimulsion. John Sturgeon, speaking on behalf of Nelson Garcia of BITOR America Corporation which sells NB Power the orimulsion fuel - a subsidiary of Petroleos de Venezuela, apprised Council of the manufacture of orimulsion fuel from a bitumen extracted from the Orinoco Belt in Venezuela - one of the world's largest reserves of petroleum, as well as on BITOR's shipping record of orimulsion since 1991, including its orimulsion spill prevention policy, there having been an ongoing international research, development, testing and evaluation program on orimulsion spill control equipment and procedures. On the issue of environmental and ecological effects in the event of a spill, Mr. Sturgeon referred to a slide depicting a life-chain of various plants, animals, fish, humans, birds and so on, as well as work done by various international research institutions, including a fate and effect study on the ecological effects of a spill in the Bay of Fundy, the results of the latter test having indicated that there would be no greater impact of orimulsion fuel than a spill of #6 fuel oil which was currently being shipped and used at Coleson Cove; and referred to a graph comparing the physical properties and chemical composition of orimulsion and fuel oil #6, as well as the effect on a bird feather of orimulsion and fuel oil, noting that the end result from all the testing was that orimulsion was less toxic than #6 fuel oil. Mr. Sturgeon reviewed the conclusions of an extensive study on orimulsion completed in 2001 by the Environmental Protection Agency of the United States, and summarized his comments in terms of the plentiful and reliable supply of orimulsion, the safe transportation of the fuel and BITOR's commitments to it, the proven recovery techniques in the unlikely event of a spill, and the low environmental risks of orimulsion, adding that Nelson Garcia would be happy to address Council if, at some future time, Council wanted a more elaborate presentation on orimulsion fuel. Messrs. Brogan and Sturgeon responded to questions on the project, and the Mayor thanked them for their presentation. 11. Tender For Rental Equipment On motion of Councillor Titus Seconded by Councillor Trites RESOLVED that as recommended by the City Manager, the tender for the establishment of supply agreements for the provision of rental equipment, for the period of one year from the date of award by Common Council, be awarded to the lowest bidder(s) in each case, as indicated in the submitted summary. Question being taken, the motion was carried. 12. Fees For Sportsfields - 2002, 2003, 2004 Consideration was given to a report from the City Manager advising that the fees to reserve the City's 30 baseball/softball fields, 34 tennis courts and 3 football/soccer fields have not been adjusted for several years and staff is recommending an increase in the user fees for the facilities for the years 2002, 2003 and 2004 with the charge for usage by youth groups to remain at the present rate, staff's intention being to notify user groups of the sportsfields the user fees for 2002 during the month of March; also advising that the proposed increase of between 15% and 20% per year for adults, with some increases above 20% such as adult football which will see the fee increase in 2002 by 33% as the current fee is very low when compared to other groups and users, are projected to provide increased revenue to the City of $7,000 in 2002, $15,000 in 2003 and $22,000 in 2004 over the 2001 revenue; also advising the issues considered in developing the submitted proposed fee schedule which was presented by staff to a meeting of the Recreation and Parks Advisory Board which supported the proposed fees; and recommending adoption of the fees as submitted. On motion of Councillor Titus Seconded by Councillor Trites RESOLVED that as recommended by the City Manager, Common Council adopt the proposed fees for sportsfields for 2002, 2003 and 2004, as submitted. 88-916 COMMON COUNCIL MARCH 11, 2002 During discussion Councillor Fitzgerald expressed the view that it was not a fair arrangement for the fee for baseball to be almost double that for softball, and advised that, if the motion were defeated, he would move a motion that the senior and intermediate and junior rates be similar to the softball rates Question being taken, the motion was carried with Councillor Fitzgerald voting "nay'. 13. Operational Review Of Crane Mountain Landfill Consideration was given to a report from the City Manager further to Council's February 18, 2002 referral of an item suggesting an operational review at the Crane Mountain landfill; advising that a so-called operational review is not contemplated in the Clean Environment Act, although the legislation does provide for Cabinet to appoint a trustee to replace the Commission to oversee operations at the landfill if any one of three conditions exist; and recommending that the Mayor be authorized to forward the submitted letter to the Minister of Local Government and Environment in an attempt to position Council as responding to community concerns and bringing them to the Minister's attention, with the request that she have her staff provide advice as to whether any of the three conditions exists. On motion of Councillor Titus Seconded by Councillor Fitzpatrick RESOLVED that as recommended by the City Manager, Her Worship Mayor McAlary be authorized to forward the submitted letter to the Minister of Local Government and Environment, The Honourable Kim Jardine. Question being taken, the motion was carried. (Councillors Ball and Fitzpatrick withdrew from the meeting as they were not present for the March 4, 2002 public hearings for the proposed Municipal Plan amendment and re-zoning of 77 Golden Grove Road, the proposed Zoning By-law text amendment with regard to the "B-3" Central Business zone, and the proposed re-zoning of 87 Canterbury Street.) 14(a) Letters, (b) Municipal Plan Amendment, (c) Re-Zoning & ImposinQ Of Section 39 Conditions - 77 Golden Grove Road 14{a) On motion of Councillor Trites Seconded by Councillor Titus RESOLVED that the letters from Mrs. Coby Goguen, Dana and Sandra MacDougall and Edgar Malley, which were presented to Council by Gerald Goguen at the March 4, 2002 public hearing for a proposed Municipal Plan amendment and the re-zoning of property located at 77 Golden Grove Road, expressing opposition to the proposed re-zoning, be received and filed. Question being taken, the motion was carried. 14{b) On motion of Councillor Trites Seconded by Councillor Titus 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, a parcel of land with an area of approximately 1.4 hectares (3.5 acres), located at 77 Golden Grove Road (NBGIC Number 300111), from Low Density Residential to Service Corridor classification, be read. Question being taken, the motion was carried. 88-917 COMMON COUNCIL MARCH 11, 2002 The by-law entitled, "A Law To Amend The Municipal Plan By-law", was read in its entirety. On motion of Councillor Trites Seconded by Councillor Titus 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, a parcel of land with an area of approximately 1.4 hectares (3.5 acres), located at 77 Golden Grove Road (NBGIC Number 300111), from Low Density Residential to Service Corridor classification, be read a third time and enacted and the Corporate Common Seal be affixed thereto. Question being taken, the motion was carried. Read a third time the by-law entitled, "A Law To Amend The Municipal Plan By-law". 14{ c ) On motion of Councillor Trites Seconded by Councillor Titus RESOLVED that the by-law entitled, "By-law Number C.P. 100-587 A Law To Amend The Zoning By-law Of The City Of Saint John", by (1) adding the following to the list of zones in Section 30(1): "special zones SZ#8", and adding the following as Section 740(8): "(8) Special Zone #8 (SZ#8) (a) Uses Any land, building or structure may be used for the purposes of, and for no other purpose than, (i) the following uses: a self-storage warehouse facility; a retail store; a business office; a personal service shop; a repair service shop; a restaurant;(ii) subject to Section 830, an accessory building, structure or use, incidental to a use, building or structure permitted in this zone.; (b) Zone Standards -Standards for development in Special Zone #8 shall be as set out in Section 620(3), and Sections 810 to 910 where this zone shall be considered an "1-1" zone or an "I" zone, as the case may be. "; and (2) re-zoning a parcel of land with an area of approximately 1.4 hectares (3.5 acres), located at 77 Golden Grove Road (NBGIC Number 300111), from "RS-2" One and Two Family Suburban Residential to "SZ#8" Special Zone #8, be read. Question being taken, the motion was carried. The by-law entitled, "By-law Number C.P. 100-587 A Law To Amend The Zoning By-law Of The City Of Saint John", was read in its entirety. On motion of Councillor Trites Seconded by Councillor Titus RESOLVED that the by-law entitled, "By-law Number C.P. 100-587 A Law To Amend The Zoning By-law Of The City Of Saint John", by adding "special zones SZ#8", its uses and standards, and re-zoning a parcel of land with an area of approximately 1.4 hectares (3.5 acres), located at 77 Golden Grove Road (NBGIC Number 300111), from "RS-2" One and Two Family Suburban Residential to "SZ#8" Special Zone #8, be read a third time and enacted and the Corporate Common Seal be affixed thereto: AND FURTHER that pursuant to Section 39 of the Community Planning Act, the said re-zoning be subject to the following conditions: (a) the use of the subject site is restricted to the applicant's proposal to develop a combination of retail/commercial buildings and self-storage warehousing, (b) the retail/commercial use of the site is limited to a maximum of approximately 930 square meters (10,000 square feet) of commercial space, (c) the site must be developed and maintained in accordance with an approved detailed site plan, which would be prepared by the proponent and submitted to the Development Officer for approval, illustrating the location of buildings, driveway access, parking area, exterior lighting, and landscaping, and that this approved site plan be attached to the application for the required building permit, (d) the driveway and parking area(s) for the commercial component of the development, located at the front of the property, must be paved with asphalt and enclosed with continuous concrete curbing, and site drainage must be in accordance with a detailed plan approved by the 88-918 COMMON COUNCIL MARCH 11, 2002 Chief City Engineer, (e) landscaping must be extended onto the street right-of-way to the existing curb, and (f) all public utilities must be provided by underground conduits from existing facilities to any building. Question being taken, the motion was carried. Read a third time the by-law entitled, "By-law Number C.P. 100-587 A Law To Amend The Zoning By-law Of The City Of Saint John". 15. Zoning By-law Text Amendment Re "B-3" Central Business Zone On motion of Councillor Titus Seconded by Deputy Mayor White RESOLVED that the by-law entitled, "By- law Number C.P. 100-588 A Law To Amend The Zoning By-law Of The City Of Saint John", by (1) adding the words "subject to subsection (3)(e), a" immediately before the words "beverage room, club or lounge" in Section 540(1)(a), (2) adding the following as Section 540(3)(c)(ii): "(ii) notwithstanding (c) above, a dwelling unit may be located below the second storey and the main access to any dwelling unit may be from outside the building at ground level, where such building is located on a lot that is less than 30 metres from an 'R' zone.", and (3) adding the following as Section 540(3)(e): "(e) a beverage room, club or lounge may not be located within 30 metres of an 'R' zone.", be read. Question being taken, the motion was carried. The by-law entitled, "By-law Number C.P. 100-588 A Law To Amend The Zoning By-law Of The City Of Saint John", was read in its entirety. On motion of Councillor Trites Seconded by Councillor Titus RESOLVED that the by-law entitled, "By-law Number C.P. 100-588 A Law To Amend The Zoning By-law Of The City Of Saint John", be read a third time and enacted and the Corporate Common Seal be affixed thereto. Question being taken, the motion was carried. Read a third time the by-law entitled, "By-law Number C.P. 100-588 A Law To Amend The Zoning By-law Of The City Of Saint John". 16. ZoninQ Bv-Iaw Amendment - 87 Canterbury Street The Mayor called for a motion to receive and file the proposed Zoning By- law amendment to re-zone 87 Canterbury Street in that, third reading having been given to the By-law amendment under agenda item 15, it was no longer necessary to re-zone the Canterbury Street property in question. On motion of Councillor Titus Seconded by Councillor Trites RESOLVED that the above matter be received and filed. Question being taken, the motion was carried. 17. Business Improvement Levv Bv-Iaw Amendment On motion of Councillor Titus Seconded by Deputy Mayor White RESOLVED that the by-law entitled, "By-law Number B-114-13 A Law To Amend The Business Improvement Levy By-law", be read. 88-919 COMMON COUNCIL MARCH 11, 2002 Question being taken, the motion was carried. The by-law entitled, "By-law Number B-114-13 A Law To Amend The Business Improvement Levy By-law", was read in its entirety. On motion of Councillor Trites Seconded by Councillor Desmond RESOLVED that the by-law entitled, "By-law Number B-114-13 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. Question being taken, the motion was carried. Read a third time the by-law entitled, "By-law Number B-114-13 A Law To Amend The Business Improvement Levy By-law". (Councillors Ball and Fitzpatrick 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, March 4, 2002, when there were present Mayor McAlary, Deputy Mayor White and Councillors Chase, Court, Desmond, Fitzgerald, Teed, Titus and Trites, and your Committee submits the following recommendation, namely: 1. That as recommended by the City Manager, the City of Saint John (1) acquire the fee simple interest in PID Number 351981 from Roland and Elaine McFate, for $27,875, plus HST (if applicable), on or before May 31,2002, and the fee simple interest in PID Number 447144 from Cyril and Jacqueline McFate, for $26,760, plus HST (if applicable), on or before May 31, 2002, such property located in the Loch Lomond watershed; and (2) pay the cost the cost to convert PID Numbers 351981 and 447144 to land titles, and further that the Mayor and Common Clerk be authorized to execute the submitted Offers of Purchase and Sale. March 11,2002, Saint John, N.B. Respectfully submitted, (sgd.) Shirley McAlary, C h air man. 18.1. Acquisition Of Land In Loch Lomond Watershed On motion of Councillor Desmond Seconded by Deputy Mayor White RESOLVED that the above report be received and filed and the recommendation therein be adopted. Question being taken, the motion was carried. 19. Saint John Art Advisory Board - Gift Of OriQinal Print To City In Appreciation On motion of Councillor Trites Seconded by Councillor Titus RESOLVED that the letter from Wm. R. Fitzpatrick, Chair of the Saint John Art Advisory Board, expressing appreciation on behalf of deep see Festival 2001 by this note, together with an original print - the creation of Herzl Kashetsky, whose work was commissioned by deep see specifically for 88-920 COMMON COUNCIL MARCH 11, 2002 presentation to Council and a number of other supporters of the 2001 Festival, be received and filed and a letter of appreciation be forwarded to the Board for the gift of the print to the City. Question being taken, the motion was carried. 20. Axel & Margarete Begner - Amendment To Section 39 Conditions Of Re-ZoninQ Of 357 Dufferin Row On motion of Councillor Titus Seconded by Deputy Mayor White RESOLVED that the application of Axel and Margarete Begner for an amendment to the Section 39 conditions of 357 Dufferin Row be referred to the Planning Advisory Committee for a report and recommendation and the necessary advertising be authorized in this regard, with the public hearing to be held on Monday, April 15, 2002 at 7:00 o'clock p.m. Question being taken, the motion was carried. 21. John P. Barry - Follow-up To Previous Request For Ad-Hoc Committee On Watershed Exceptions The Mayor suggested that John Barry's letter with regard to his previous suggestion of the creation of an ad hoc committee on watershed exceptions could be forwarded to the Nominating Committee as the Committee has not dealt with this matter to date. On motion of Councillor Trites Seconded by Councillor Court RESOLVED that the letter from John P. Barry asking the status of the referral to the Nominating Committee of his previous letter to Council on November 5, 2001, suggesting that there be an ad-hoc citizens' committee to investigate and develop scientific positions necessary to convince the Provincial Government of the fallacy of granting recreational exceptions for watersheds in southern New Brunswick, including Loch Lomond and Musquash, be received and Mr. Barry be advised that the Nominating Committee will have this matter on the agenda of its next meeting. Question being taken, the motion was carried. 22. Communities In Bloom - DisbandinQ Of Committee On motion of Councillor Desmond Seconded by Councillor Titus RESOLVED that the letter from Jude Carson, Chairperson of the Greater Saint John Communities in Bloom committee, advising of the committee's decision to disband, having achieved the highest success possible within the national Communities in Blooms program, and thanking Council for its support and goodwill towards the committee's efforts, be received and Ms. Carson and her committee be thanked for a job well done. Question being taken, the motion was carried. 23. Local 771, IAFF, Saint John Fire Fighters' Association - Participation In Task Force On motion of Councillor Trites Seconded by Deputy Mayor White RESOLVED that the letter from Local 771, IAFF, Saint John Fire Fighters' Association, advising that the members of Local 771 were under the impression that the objective of the recent Task Force appointed to examine ways to alleviate the City's financial pressures was to lobby the Provincial Government to find ways to help the City of Saint John fulfill its budget demands; 88-921 COMMON COUNCIL MARCH 11, 2002 however, as this does not appear to be the case as the focus of the February 12 meeting seemed to centre around how the City's various departments would find ways to budget with the current sources of revenue or create new sources of revenue rather than discuss how to lobby the Provincial Government to increase funding, the members of Local 771 will not be participating in the Task Force until the intended objective is being followed, namely that of a lobby group, be received and filed. Question being taken, the motion was carried. 24. Fundy Bay Sand & Gravel Inc. - Re- ZoninQ Of Property On Latimore Lake Road On motion of Councillor Trites Seconded by Deputy Mayor White RESOLVED that the application of Fundy Bay Sand & Gravel Inc. for the re-zoning of property on Latimore Lake Road be referred to the Planning Advisory Committee for a report and recommendation and the necessary advertising be authorized in this regard, with the public hearing to be held on Monday, April 15, 2002, at 7:00 o'clock p.m. Question being taken, the motion was carried. 25. The Saint John Women's Conference - Support On motion of Councillor Trites Seconded by Councillor Fitzpatrick RESOLVED that with regard to the letter from The Saint John Women's Conference requesting a financial contribution for its 7th annual conference to be held on April 20, 2002 or for a product or service to be utilized for a silent auction if a financial commitment could not be made at this time, a grant of $500 be approved. Question being taken, the motion was carried. 26. The Outdoor Adventure Company - Amphibious Bus On motion of Deputy Mayor White Seconded by Councillor Trites RESOLVED that the letter from The Outdoor Adventure Company requesting permission to operate a 43-passenger amphibious bus in the Saint John area, and submitting a copy of the proposed route as well as a picture of one of the craft operating in Halifax, be referred to the City Manager for a report on how this Company could operate as requested. Question being taken, the motion was carried. 27. Arthur Melanson - ChanQes In South End ParkinQ On motion of Councillor Fitzpatrick Seconded by Councillor Trites RESOLVED that the letter from Arthur Melanson submitting a situation analysis and summary with respect to the Saint John Parking Commission's proposal for off-street parking during snow removal in the City's south central peninsula; advising that, although the Commission posted public notices and announcements in this regard, he has met many people who do not know about the changes and he feels the public process is flawed in this effort in that it is not informing the direct population who would be affected by them; and requesting that, due to the serious nature of the process and recommendations of the Commission's report to Council on January 21, 2002, this be done by direct mail as is the normal and appropriate method used by the Commission when a parking permit program is requested for a City street, be referred to the Saint John Parking Commission. Question being taken, the motion was carried. 88-922 COMMON COUNCIL MARCH 11, 2002 28. Maritime International Distribution Inc. Re-ZoninQ Of 340 Rothesav Avenue On motion of Councillor Desmond Seconded by Councillor Titus RESOLVED that the application of Maritime International Distribution Inc. for the re-zoning of property located at 340 Rothesay Avenue be referred to the Planning Advisory Committee for a report and recommendation and the necessary advertising be authorized in this regard, with the public hearing to be held on Monday, April 15, 2002, at 7:00 o'clock p.m. Question being taken, the motion was carried. 29. Saint John Board Of Trade - Nominee To Board Of Directors - Enterprise Saint John On motion of Councillor Titus Seconded by Councillor Fitzpatrick RESOLVED that the letter from the Saint John Board of Trade putting forward the name of Stephen D. MacMackin as its nominee to serve as one of the City of Saint John's appointees to the Board of Directors of the Greater Saint John Community Economic Development Agency (Enterprise Saint John), and asking Council to look favourably on this nomination, be referred to the Nominating Committee. Question being taken, the motion was carried. Adjournment The Mayor declared the meeting adjourned. Common Clerk