2005-10-11_Minutes--Procès-verbal
October 11, 2005
140- 2005
Minutes of the Portion of the Committee of the Whole Meeting Open to the Public
Tuesday, October 11,2005,5:15 p.m.
8th Floor Boardroom, City Hall
Present:
Deputy Mayor Hooton,
and Councillors Chang, Chase, Court, Farren, Ferguson, McGuire, Tait, Titus
and White
- and -
1. Totten, City Manager; J. Nugent, City Solicitor; A. Beckett, Commissioner of
Finance and Corporate Services; P. Groody, Commissioner of Municipal
Operations; J. Baird, Commissioner of Planning and Development; E. Gormley,
Assistant Common Clerk and J. Ferrar, Administrative Assistant
1. MeetinQ Called To Order
The Deputy Mayor called the Committee of the Whole meeting to order.
On motion of Councillor Chase
Seconded by Councillor McGuire
RESOLVED that Common Council convene in closed Committee
of the Whole to discuss Property Matter 10.2(4)(d) and Vision 2015 Committee
Appointments 10.2(4)(b).
Question being taken, the motion was carried.
The Council discussed whether the property matter to be discussed was required to be
held in a closed meeting, and subsequently decided that the discussions were
appropriate for an open Committee of the Whole meeting.
On motion of Councillor Tait
Seconded by Councillor McGuire
RESOLVED that Council convene in open Committee of the
Whole to discuss Property Matter - Presentation by Maritime and Northeast Pipelines on
Proposed Corridor for Natural Gas Pipeline from Canaport.
Question being taken, the motion was carried.
2. Property Matter 10.2(4)(d)
Stephanie Moore and Steve Rankin of Maritime & Northeast Pipelines, and Chris Blair of
Jacques Whitford entered the meeting. Ms. Moore provided Council with an overview of
the Canaport LNG terminal project and advised that Repsol signed a contract with
Maritimes & Northeast in July 2005 for transportation of natural gas from the LNG
terminal development. She explained that they are presently working on an application
to the National Energy Board to request approval for the project and for a 100m wide
corridor in which a 30m wide right-of-way will eventually be selected for the construction
October 11, 2005
141- 2005
of a 30" natural gas pipeline from Canaport, tying into the existing Maritimes & Northeast
pipeline mainline at an existing compressor station in Maine.
Ms. Moore advised that the target for filing the application is the end of 2005 and
explained that the regulatory process will consume most of 2006. She added that this
will probably involve a public hearing that could be held in Saint John. She further
explained that the decision is expected from the National Energy Board early in 2007 at
which time a preferred detailed route would be submitted, and if there are objections,
there would be further hearings with the Board to resolve any issues. Ms. Moore stated
that construction of the pipeline would not begin until the winter of 2007 - 2008.
Ms. Moore explained that the major challenge of the project is extending the pipeline
from the east to the west side of the City, and raised the following points regarding three
possible routes:
1. Going north of the City would require the creation of a new utility corridor and
crossing the Saint John River would be pushing current technology.
2. A Harbour crossing would not be feasible due to the tides and current in the Bay
of Fundy. The best landing option would be in the area of Saints Rest Marsh.
3. The possibility of running the pipeline parallel to the existing 16" lateral that
comes into the City of Saint John was examined and it was determined that the
lateral is located in some very congested areas which would result in substantial
disturbance during construction as well as insufficient room for the 30" pipeline.
Ms. Moore stated that they have examined existing utility corridors that could be
paralleled in addition to the feasibility of crossing the Saint John River. Referring to a
map which detailed the preferred corridor and alternate routes, she reviewed the
preferred route noting it would parallel the power line through Rockwood Park and cross
the Saint John River at Shamrock Park to Pleasant Point. Ms. Moore concluded the
presentation noting that they would establish a reinstatement plan for the Rockwood
Park area.
Discussion followed with Ms. Moore responding to questions and advising that if there is
opposition to the corridor going through Rockwood Park, the City can intervene and
raise its concerns when Maritimes & Northeast presents its proposed routing to the
National Energy Board. It was pointed out by Ms. Moore that if the National Energy
Board approves the proposed routing under the National Energy Board Act there is an
opportunity for right of entry if an agreement cannot be reach with the City. Responding
to a question regarding crossing Highway Route 1, Ms. Moore stated that the
Department of Transportation has advised that it would not allow a pipeline under the
traveled portion of the highway, but would allow it within its right-of-way. Discussion
continued with concerns being raised by some Council members regarding the route on
the west side of the City and the impact it will have on the water line located on the
Pipeline Road. Responding, Ms. Moore stated that they are responsible for selecting the
route; advised that there are no customer stations planned from the pipeline within Saint
John; and confirmed they have a contract with Repsol. Monitoring of the pipeline was
reviewed with Ms. Moore stating that they have technicians located in Saint John that
will respond to an incident.
October 11, 2005
142- 2005
(Councillor Chang entered the meeting during the above discussion.)
Ms. Moore and Messrs. Rankin and Blair withdrew from the meeting.
3. Legal Session - Legal Proceedings
On motion of Councillor White
Seconded by Councillor Tait
RESOLVED that the public be excluded from the meeting for the
duration of the discussion on the following matter(s): Legal Session - Legal Proceedings
10.2(4)(g).
Question being taken, the motion was carried.
Assistant Common Clerk
Record Pursuant to Section 10.2(4)
The meeting of the Committee of the Whole of Common Council held on October 11,
2005 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): Property Matter 10.2(4)(d)
and Vision 2015 Committee Appointments 10.2(4)(b). The following items were not
dealt with: Meetings with Province of New Brunswick 10.2(4)(c); Regional Transit
Negotiations 10.2(4)(c), and Travel Policy 10.2(4)(b)
Assistant Common Clerk