Council Minutes for May 12, 2003
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MINUTES OF THE 2003-MAY-12 MEETING OF THE TWENTY-SECOND COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NANAIMO HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER, CITY HALL, COMMENCING AT 7:00 P.M. PRESENT: Acting Mayor R. A. Cantelon, Chair Members: Councillor M. D. Brennan Councillor W. J. Holdom Councillor T. K. Krall Councillor L. D. McNabb Councillor C. S. Manhas Councillor L. J. Sherry Councillor D. Tyndall Absent: Mayor G. R. Korpan Others: Ms. Lorana LaPorte, Church Pickard & Co. Staff: G. D. Berry E. C. Swabey A. C. Kenning T. P. Seward A. W. Laidlaw L. Coates B. N. Mehaffey J. T. Bowden B. E. Clemens K. L. Burley T. M. Hickey L. Mitchell K. M. MacKenzie 1. ADOPTION OF MINUTES: (a) Minutes of the 2003-APR-14 Meeting of the Twenty-Second Council of the City of Nanaimo held in the Council Chamber, City Hall at 7:00 p.m. Moved by Councillor Krall, seconded by Councillor Tyndall that the Minutes be adopted as circulated. The motion carried. (b) Minutes of the 2003-APR-28 Meeting of the Twenty-Second Council of the City of Nanaimo held in the Council Chamber, City Hall at 7:00 p.m. Moved by Councillor Krall, seconded by Councillor Manhas that the Minutes be adopted as circulated. The motion carried. COUNCIL 2003-MAY-12 PAGE 2 2. INTRODUCTION OF LATE ITEMS: (a) Mr. J. T. Bowden, Senior Manager of Corporate Administration advised that the following items had been distributed prior to the meeting: · two City Manager's supplemental reports · a list of supplemental delegations · supplemental correspondence · a supplemental Information Only report (b) Councillor Sherry advised that he would be giving a verbal update regarding the Toyota Greenhouse Seminar in Regina. (c) Councillor Brennan advised that Ms. Amy Abbott was in attendance and wished to address Council as a late delegation regarding the Street Entertainers Bylaw. Moved by Councillor Brennan, seconded by Councillor Holdom that Ms. Abbott be permitted to address Council as a late delegation with a five-minute time limitation. The motion carried. 3. RECEIVING OF DELEGATIONS: Moved by Councillor Krall, seconded by Councillor McNabb that the Delegations be permitted to address Council. The motion carried. (a) Delegations pertaining to the 2003 - 2007 Financial Plan. No one in attendance wished to address Council regarding the Financial Plan. (b) Ms. Tina Schoen and Ms. Brenda Stebner, Nanaimo Gay Pride Planning Committee, 911 Chelsea Street, Nanaimo, B.C., regarding “GAY PRIDE WEEK” in the City of Nanaimo. Ms. Schoen and Ms. Stebner were previously authorized to address Council. Ms. Schoen stated that: - she chooses to be involved in gay pride because it is important to her to work pro-actively for positive social change at the grass-roots community level. - gay pride is celebrated globally, nationally and locally in almost every city ni the world. - they are in their sixth year of celebrating in Nanaimo, and have events planned for 2003-JUN-28 and 29, including a marketplace, a community picnic at Bowen Park, a car, truck and bike “Show ‘n Shine”, a baking contest, and a dance. - on the Sunday there is the popular “Drag Ball Game”, which is a lot of fun. - the events are open to everyone; they are not just for gay, lesbian, transgender or bisexual people. - they have gay pride because homophobia is rampant; we have come a long way in efforts to eradicate it, but it’s still very much present and affects a lot of people. COUNCIL 2003-MAY-12 PAGE 3 - people who live their lives in the closet or who are targetted for their sexual orientation are more prone to depression, addictions and suicide. - this is especially true for gay youth, as recent stories in the news have shown. - pride is a celebration of diversity, of connectedness and caring, and its activities provide support for those struggling, and visibility for the community as a whole. - it is also about celebrating who they are and being proud of that. - the economic benefits of gay pride are huge; it was the fourth largest event in Vancouver in 1999. - Tourism Montreal estimates that this summer’s Pride Festival will bring in over 250,000 people, and will generate economic spin-offs of over $17 Million for the City. - one million people lined Yonge Street in downtown Toronto to watch last year’s Pride parade, and an estimated $76 Million was spent there during Pride Week. - there is a lot of support in this community for gay pride and they hope that Council will support their bid for a proclamation. - the Rainbow Flag was designed in 1978 to represent the diversity of the gay community; it is recognized by the International Congress of Flag Makers and is flown in lesbian and gay pride marches worldwide and signifies safety, inclusion and recognition. - when they can choose, and openly be with the partner of their choice, enjoy the same benefits and responsibilities as heterosexual people, and live free from harassment, violence and discrimination towards them because of their sexual orientation, they may not need gay pride. - they are asking for Council’s recognition and support by proclaiming June 23 - 29 as Gay Pride Week in Nanaimo, and further that our City consider joining others in flying the Rainbow Flag over City Hall during Pride Week. - she extended an invitation to everyone to come to Bowen Park on June 28 and 29 and join them for some great community fun. Moved by Councillor Sherry, seconded by Councillor Brennan that the presentation be received. The motion carried. (c) Mr. Leroy Wood, 808 Royal Canadian Air Force Association, Nanaimo, regarding their request for a Permissive Tax Exemption Cash Grant. Mr. Wood was previously authorized to address Council. Mr. Wood stated that: - he lives at 5530 Hammond Bay Road and is speaking as a member of 808 Thunderbird RCAF Wing, which is a charter member of the Air Force Association of Canada. - 808 Wing received its charter in 1966 and is a registered in B.C. not-for-profit society. - their Wing is made up of about 130 ageing members, mostly veterans, 80 percent of whom live in Nanaimo. - the Association stands for loyalty to the reigning sovereign and principles of democratic ordered government. - they participate in local and community programs, especially those designed to develop the physical, mental and moral well-being of our nation’s youth, particularly Air Cadets. COUNCIL 2003-MAY-12 PAGE 4 - in 1966 they took over the sponsorship of the 205 Squadron Air Cadets from the Nanaimo Rotary Club and have provided that sponsorship since then, with no assistance from the City. - without charge, they provide the Cadets with facilities, utilities, equipment and support for their activities in numerous ways. - they have some income from bingo and all of it is used for the Air Cadets activities; they do not retain any administration fees. - they are also the franchise holder in Nanaimo for the Ident-a-Kid Program; they pay all the costs, their members operate the program as volunteers, and they do not charge anyone for this public service. - in addition, they provide an annual bursary to a graduating community high school student. - in 1983 they leased about one acre of Federal land at the Army Camp on Fifth Street where they built a facility to accommodate the 205 Squadron. - in early January they were surprised to receive a belated 2002 Property Tax Notice from the City, as well as an Assessment Notice. - the property had never been assessed or taxed previously, nor had they been given any indication that this was about to happen. - they have not paid the 2002 taxes, nor the 10 percent penalty that was to become due on 2003-FEB-08. - they were successful in appealing their assessment and hope that an adjustment will be made to their 2002 taxes and penalties. - their financial situation has declined for the past several years and they have had to use their contingency funds which were earmarked for building completion and maintenance. - they re-designated the funds for building relocation or replacement because of the pending First Nation land claim settlement. - it now appears that they will have to install fencing, re-direct their utility service connections and their access road to Nanaimo Lakes Road. - the roof on their building needs replacing and they have received quotes in the vicinity of $10,000. - a 1986 van that they use to transport Air Cadets to their activities is in need of replacement at a cost in excess of $20,000. - these anticipated costs will more than deplete their contingency fund. - the additional burden of the property taxes means that they are overwhelmed and cannot survive this crisis. - 205 Air Cadet Squadron was formed in 1942 during World War II. - during the Squadron’s 60th Anniversary it was found that more than 5,000 Nanaimo teenagers had been members of this Squadron. - approximately 120 teenagers join Cadets each year, free of charge; their uniforms are provided and most of their activities are free as well. - these teenagers do not have time to loiter in the malls, 7-Eleven’s, or other hangouts, or enter into other disruptive activities. - in other words, they take about 120 teenagers off the streets of Nanaimo and train them in life skills and good citizenship. - 205 Squadron Air Cadets are in award-winning bands, drill teams, biathlon events, exchange trips, the Duke of Edinburgh program, and community parades and events. - during the Summer Games last year the Cadets volunteered as workers, and they also promote the City when travelling to the camps and foreign countries.