2004-11-15_Minutes--Procès-verbal
November 15,2004
Minutes of the Portion of the Committee of the Whole Meeting Open to the Public
Monday, November 15,2004,5:00 o'clock p.m.
Council Chamber, City Hall
Present:
Mayor McFarlane,
Deputy Mayor Hooton and Councillors Chang, Chase, Court, Ferguson, McGuire,
Tait, Titus and White
- and -
1. Totten, City Manager; J. Nugent, City Solicitor; A. Beckett, Commissioner of
Finance and Corporate Services; P. Woods, Common Clerk and Deputy City
Manager and E. Gormley, Assistant Common Clerk.
1. MeetinQ Called To Order
The Mayor called the Committee of the Whole meeting to order.
2. Discussion of Confidential Matters
On motion of Deputy Mayor Hooton
Seconded by Councillor McGuire
RESOLVED that the public be excluded from the meeting for the
duration of the discussion on the following matter(s): Legal Proceedings 10.2(4)(g), and
Nominating Committee 10.2(4)(b) and Report from City Solicitor - Nominating 10.2(4)0).
Question being taken, the motion was carried.
Common Clerk
Record Pursuant to Section 10.2(4)
The meeting of the Committee of the Whole of Common Council held on Monday,
November 15, 2004 was closed to the public pursuant to Section 10.2(4) of the
Municipalities Act during the Committee's discussion of the following matter(s): Legal
Proceedings 10.2(4)(g), and Nominating Committee 10.2(4)(b) and Report from City
Solicitor - Nominating 10.2(4)0).
The Committee of the Whole meeting re-convened at 5:30 p.m. in open session.
4. Request to Present - Recreational Facilities Committee
Consideration was given to a request of the Saint John Recreational Facilities
Committee (2004) to present to Council seeking approval to install outdoor recreational
ice skating rinks in Loyalist Plaza and on the volleyball court area at Market Slip.
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Public Committee of the Whole
November 15,2004
Council directed the Common Clerk to place the Recreational Facilities Committee's
request to present on the agenda of the next open session of Council.
5. 2005 Operating Budget
The City Manager introduced the Building and Inspection Services, Tourism and Leisure
Services Budgets to be presented by Mr. Edwards, Ms. Totten and B. Morrison. He
commented on the increase in the unconditional grant announcement as positive news
for the City and noted that we are still waiting for the tax base numbers.
Building and Inspection Services
Referring to a submitted slide presentation, Mr. Edwards advised Council that there are
two divisions under Buildings and Inspection Services, Facility Management and
Building inspections and By-law Enforcement. He noted that these two divisions are
distinct yet related. He proceeded to outline the plan of establishment and functions
performed for the two operations, noting the number of employee changes over the last
few years.
Mr. Edwards updated Council on the number of buildings that the City owns and the
costs associated with the maintenance and repair of approximately 90 buildings. He
added that the City has recently built an equipment building at Lancaster Memorial Field,
a new building on the West Side for salt storage, and has acquired the Lantic Sugar
property.
Mr. Edwards listed Human Resources, age of buildings, future of City Hall, operating
costs from Operating Budget and Fire Training Facility as challenges for the future of the
Facility division, and Human Resources, age of Buildings, ability to respond in a timely
fashion to citizens' requests, ability to meet the challenges of the new Building By-law
and gravel pits as some challenges for the Buildings division.
The total 2005 budget figure for Buildings and Inspection Services was presented as
$3,764,178.
The Mayor asked about grants for repairs of the Carnegie Building which will be an item
addressed in the City Manager's report to Council in the near future. Councillors
questioned whether the operator of Rockwood Park Golf Course contributed to the cost
of repairs and maintenance to the building. The City Manager advised that it is not part
of the present contract, but added that there is a willingness on the operator's part to
collaborate with the City on this issue.
Mr. Edwards concluded by advising Council that if he had more human resources,
particularly in the area of plumbing inspection services, he would be able to increase
compliance with respect to by-law enforcement. He added that changes to the
legislation would enable more tools to perform required tasks.
Council directed the City Manager to report to Council on the staffing needs in all
Departments with costs associated with those needs.
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Public Committee of the Whole
November 15,2004
Tourism
Ms. Totten, referring to a submitted slide presentation, outlined the Tourism operation of
the City of Saint John with the goal of growing this community, and a primary
responsibility to sell the City. She advised Council that tourism contributes
approximately $200 million annually to the Saint John region and that the City's Tourism
Department provides leadership and advice to the industry in such areas as the
proposed hotel levy, Bangor/Saint John Tourism and Culture Conference, Gray Line
Trolley Tours, 2006 Canadian Country Music Bid, Tourism Awareness Week and
Awards and Tall Ships Festival.
Ms. Totten emphasized the partnerships that exist with the tourism industry enabling
leveraging abilities, including advertising with the Province in external markets. She
noted some challenges as geography/transportation, expectations in the community,
increased competition, and the location of the Tourism office, and advised Council that a
deficiency exists in the area of Festivals.
The 2005 budget for Tourism was presented as $962,185.
On motion of Councillor Tait
Seconded by Councillor McGuire
RESOLVED that the City Manager be directed, in cooperation
with the hospitality industry, to petition the Province for the necessary changes to enable
this municipality to initiate a hotel levy.
Question being taken, the motion was carried.
Leisure Services
Mr. Morrison, referring to a slide presentation updated Council on the services provided
by Leisure Services, personnel engaged in these services, challenges and funding
required. He listed challenges under the categories of demographics, calling attention to
the declining number of youth as well as a steady decline in the population in Saint John;
well ness, noting the obesity problem in the City; inclusion citing poverty as a serious
issue, and the lack of resources.
Listing areas such as facilities maintenance, landscaping, the City Market, and P.R.O.
Kids which require funding for the provision of services, Mr. Morrison presented a
proposed 2005 budget of $5,708,028.
Council deferred discussion of the Leisure Services presentation until the next budget
meeting to be held on Tuesday, November 16,2004 at 7:00 a.m.
The meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m.
Common Clerk