Town of Wolfville Town Council Tuesday, July 23, 2013 ATTENDING Mayor Jeff Cantwell, Councillor Dan Sparkman, Councillor Mercedes Brian, Councillor Wendy Donovan, Interim Chief Administrative Officer Brian Smith, Town Clerk Michael MacLean and Recording Secretary Lorraine Jones LATE ARRIVAL Councillor Hugh Simpson ABSENT WITH REGRET Deputy Mayor David Mangle and Councillor Carl Oldham ALSO ATTENDING Inspector Chris MacNaughton, Officer in Charge, Kings District RCMP, Sgt. Stephen Power, Director of Public Works Kevin Kerr, John MacKay, Chair of Audit Committee, Heather Hill, Vice Chair of Audit Committee, Honourable Ramona Jennex, MLA, Nancy Stewart, Population Health Promoter, Public Health and other interested persons 1. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. 2. AGENDA APPROVAL 01-07B-13: IT WAS REGULARLY MOVED AND SECONDED THAT THE AGENDA BE APPROVED AS CIRCULATED. CARRIED. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF JULY 9, 2013 02-07B-13: IT WAS REGULARLY MOVED AND SECONDED THAT THE MINUTES OF THE JULY 9, 2013 MEETING BE APPROVED AS AMENDED. CARRIED. 4. INTRODUCTION OF INSPECTOR CHRIS MACNAUGHTON, OFFICER IN CHARGE, KINGS DISTRICT RCMP Inspector MacNaughton introduced herself and provided her background information, noting that she has chosen to live in Wolfville and may even retire here. 5. PRESENTATION BY HONOURABLE RAMONA JENNEX, KINGS SOUTH MLA Ms. Jennex provided her MLA Update with emphasis on two issues – the Wolfville school renovation and the paving and maintenance of highways. The school renovation proposal is in the process of being analyzed by a professional consultant following which it will be presented to the five person Treasury Board who will make the decision on projects to be undertaken. She is a member of the Treasury Board and is committed to seeing the renovations take place. With regards to paving she noted that all roads in Nova Scotia had been scanned and a Five Year Improvement Plan put forward for highways. Now that the Province has its own paving plant they are able to do more paving with the same budget. Page 1 of 7 Town of Wolfville Town Council Tuesday, July 23, 2013 Other Wolfville related items brought forward included Magic Winery bus Rebranding New website The Bloom Celebration Wolfville’s Farmers Market Select NS; buy local Sports and cultural events such as Deep Roots Inclusion of everyone in the community L’Arche community The list of Wolfville firsts - Banning of uranium - Banning smoking in cars with children present - Banning use of cosmetic pesticides Student Employee Program and Graduate Employment Program - John Read development of Colibri Software Refitting of the Acadia University Physical Plant to enable use of natural gas General discussion took place. 6. PRESENTATION BY ANNAPOLIS VALLEY POVERTY COALITION – NANCY STEWART Ms. Stewart presented on behalf of the Annapolis Valley Poverty Coalition. It is hoped that a resolution could be presented to the Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities at its fall conference. MOTION OF SUPPORT 03-07B-13: IT WAS REGULARLY MOVED AND SECONDED THAT COUNCIL SUPPORT THE ANNAPOLIS VALLEY POVERTY COALITION OF KINGS AND ANNAPOLIS COUNTIES BY PARTNERING WITH OTHER UNITS TO HAVE A RESOLUTION PRESENTED TO THE UNION OF NOVA SCOTIA MUNICIPALITIES ENTITLED PROMOTING A PROVINCIAL DIALOGUE ON POVERTY IN RURAL SETTINGS. CARRIED. 7. DECISIONS a. AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – REQUEST FOR DECISION NO. 036-2013 John MacKay, Chair of the Audit Committee, provided background on the newly formed committee which is made up of Council members and members of the public. A meeting had been held with the auditors last Thursday out of which had come a couple recommendations. Heather Hill, Vice Chair of the Audit Committee, noted that this is the first time non Council members have been appointed to the Audit Committee. Wolfville is the first municipal unit to have such a committee. Mr. MacKay reported that the Committee had gone in camera with the auditors and Chief Administrative Officer. There were two motions out of the July 18 meeting; recommendations will come back to the September meeting. Page 2 of 7 Town of Wolfville Town Council Tuesday, July 23, 2013 04-07B-13: IT WAS REGULARLY MOVED AND SECONDED THAT COUNCIL APPROVE THE MARCH 31, 2013 TOWN OF WOLFVILLE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. CARRIED. b. FIRE PROTECTION AREA RATE – REQUEST FOR DECISION NO. 033-2013 The Director of Financial Services presented the request which is something that the Town deals with annually in July. 05-07B-13: IT WAS REGULARLY MOVED AND SECONDED THAT PURSUANT TO SECTION 80 OF THE MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT ACT AND TOWN POLICY NUMBER 1222-26, THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF WOLFVILLE APPROVES THE LEVYING AND COLLECTION OF A FIRE PROTECTION RATE OF 6.3 CENTS ON EACH $100.00 OF RESIDENTIAL, RESOURCE, COMMERCIAL, RESIDENTIAL EXEMPT, RESOURCE EXEMPT AND COMMERCIAL EXEMPT ASSESSMENT ASSESSED IN THE ASSESSMENT ROLL; FURTHER, THAT THE LEVY BE APPLIED TO FIRE PROTECTION (HYDRANT AREA) CHARGES OF $378,170 FOR FISCAL YEAR 2013-14; FURTHER, THAT TAX BILLS BE ISSUED AUGUST 31, 2013 LESS ANY AND ALL AMOUNTS BILLED BY INSTALLMENTS (INTERIM TAX BILLING); FURTHER, THAT A DUE DATE BE ESTABLISHED AT SEPTEMBER 30, 2013 AFTER WHICH INTEREST SHALL BE CHARGED ACCORDING TO THE RATE ESTABLISHED FOR PROPERTY TAX BILLS. CARRIED. 8. INFORMATION a. CLOSURE OF UPPER UNIVERSITY AVENUE – INFORMATION REPORT The Director of Public Works presented an Information Report on the subject and noted that if Council decides to go ahead with the proposed closure, a public hearing would be necessary. Councillors’ comments/questions/concerns included A traffic study should be conducted and it should be paid for by the University This would increase the traffic on Gaspereau Avenue where there are already problems with speed coming down the street as well as the rolling stop at the 3-way light The Town would close part of the street but the Town would still be responsible for maintenance The University should be paying all costs for the entire street Parking is a problem It was noted that at one time the University had been interested in taking over the entire street. Public input will be required and this item should be referred to the Community Development Committee for their input. b. FIRST QUARTERLY UPDATE ON KEY INITIATIVES AND FINANCIAL VARIANCE REPORT The Director of Financial Services presented these items and it was suggested that if Council had questions, they should contact either the Interim Chief Administrative Officer or the Director of Financial Services. He provided brief information on the Variance Report. He noted the use of a month- by- month budget will enforce more discipline on Directors with the end result of better cost control. Page 3 of 7 Town of Wolfville Town Council Tuesday, July 23, 2013 c. UNSM CAUCUS STRUCTURE REVIEW – INFORMATION REPORT The Interim Chief Administrative Officer presented an Information Report on this item and needed Council’s feedback on the comments enclosed. 06-07B-13: IT WAS REGULARLY MOVED AND SECONDED THAT COUNCIL RECOMMEND TO THE UNION OF NOVA SCOTIA MUNICIPALITIES THAT THE EXISTING STRUCTURE OF THE TOWNS CAUCUS REMAIN AS IS. CARRIED. 9. REPORTS a. MAYOR The Mayor reported that He had missed the July 9 meeting Last week Minister Jennex had attended the raising of the Pride Flag for Pride Week, July 20-27 Mud Creek Days events are scheduled for this weekend He will be leading a bike ride from Wolfville to Grand Pre and back on Friday, July 26 On August 9 the Wolfville Team will take part in a golf tournament at the Berwick Heights; entry fee is $110 with a $60 tax receipt; proceeds for the Rehabilitation Centre The Paul Harris Fellowship Award had been made to a group for the first time, Men Will Be Boys, who have raised over $250,000 for charities; this marked the first time that a group rather than an individual had received the award A couple from British Columbia, Ginny and Kerry Dennehy, will be bike riding to Cape Spear, Newfoundland to raise awareness and funding to assist with reducing the stigma attached to youth mental health issues; they are trying to raise $1 million; this event will be posted on the Town’s website b. CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER The Chief Administrative Officer noted that the Mud Creek Days programs were a success and also noted that Mayor Cantwell and his team mates had won their category race from Marblehead to Halifax. 10. CORRESPONDENCE a. DENISE PETERSON-RAFUSE RE REPLACEMENT APPOINTMENT ON WESTERN REGIONAL HOUSING AUTHORITY It was agreed that further research be done on what the appointment entails. As well, Councillor Donovan will make some contacts and report to the Chief Administrative Officer. 07-07B-13: IT WAS REGULARLY MOVED AND SECONDED THAT THIS CORRESPONDENCE BE RECEIVED AND ACKNOWLEDGED. CARRIED. b. ELAINE CAMPBELL RE ADRIAN CAMPBELL VALLEY CLASSIC & SCHOLARSHIP FUND During discussion it was noted that this item should be referred to staff for research as to whether funding could be provided. It was also suggested that the policy be reviewed. 08-07B-13: IT WAS REGULARLY MOVED AND SECONDED THAT THIS CORRESPONDENCE BE ACKNOWLEDGED AND REFERRED TO STAFF. CARRIED. Page 4 of 7 Town of Wolfville Town Council Tuesday, July 23, 2013 c. ROBERT SEALE RE SIDEWALKS ON SUMMER STREET AND LINDEN AVENUE Discussion of proposed single sidewalks for Summer Street and Linden Avenue took place. It was pointed out that the contractor is ready to proceed with work. The contractor probably will not be onsite until the end of August and will work on Linden Avenue first and then move to Summer Street. 09-07B-13: IT WAS REGULARLY MOVED AND SECONDED THAT THIS LETTER BE ACKNOWLEDGED AND REFERRED TO STAFF. CARRIED. 11.