March 9, 2006 Present: Mayor W. Hewitt Deputy Mayor Anthony Alexander Councillor Bruce Pinksen Councillor Calvin Pelley Councillor Melvin Rideout (called to advise would be late and arrived at 8:00 p.m.) Also Present: Town Clerk Manager Cynthia Fry Martin Lowe - Building Committee The meeting was called to order by the Mayor at 7:30 pm. Resolution 06-022 Alexander/Pelley Resolved that the minutes of the Regular Meeting of February 9, 2006 be adopted as presented. 4 for, carried. (Councillor Rideout was not present) DELEGATION Agricultural Resource Development and Heritage Centre Committee Martin Lowe was present to discuss committee matters in particular preparation of the Terms of Reference which are too wide in scope in present form. Mr. Lowe left at 8:10 pm. Resolution 06-023 Alexander/Pinksen The Building Committee shall consist of the following appointed by council: Martin Lowe (Chairperson), Doris Hillier, Joy Bailey, Bonnie Paul, Mayor Warwick Hewitt (council representative) and Councillor Melvin Rideout (council representative). 5 for, carried. Administration 1. ACOA Letter of Offer Confirmed Acceptance by Council Council’s Resolution to accept the ‘Letter of Offer’ from ACOA being brought forward from a Privileged Meeting held on December 8, 2005. Resolution 06-024 Alexander/Rideout Resolved that the Town of Cormack accept the ‘Letter of Offer’ from ACOA to proceed with the Agricultural Resource Development and Heritage Centre. 5 for, carried. 2. 2nd Annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner The clerk advised that Volunteer Week has been declared from April 23rd to April 29th. Conflicting commitments would prevent some councillors from being present. It was decided to go with April 15th. 3. Resolution of Tax Matters Resolution 06-025 Pelley/Pinksen Resolved to write off the balance of 2005 Poll Tax to Tom Pearce who has passed away. 5 for, carried. Resolution 06-026 Pinksen/Alexander Resolved to adjust Business Tax assessed to Cormack North Atlantic for 2006 since it will cease to operate from the location after March 15th. 5 for, carried. 3. Inclusion of Tax Category into 2006 Municipal Tax Schedule. Quarry operations have been taxed under ‘Other’ in the Municipal Tax Schedule. Examples of the new category include quarry activity such as gravel or limestone operations. Resolution 06-027 Pelley/Alexander Resolved that tax category ‘Mineral Workings’ at 10 mills be included in the Town’s Municipal Tax Schedule 2006. 5 for, carried. 4. MAPA’s Share of the Resource Center Funding Discussion on the Province’s share of funding for the Agricultural Resource cetrer under the Capital Works Program. Council directed that we proceed with the setting up of an account with the full funding noted in the Minister’s approval letter. Subdivision and Development A Development Application from Island Aggregates and Ready Mix to operate an asphalt plant from its property at the Viking Trail quarry. Resolution 06-028 Alexander/Rideout Resolved to give approval to Island Aggregates and Ready Mix to operate an asphalt plant at its location pending referral to the environmental department for its review and approval. 5 for, carried. Two (2) Assessment Form for Crown Land Applications from Tony Young for former lease 89207 and former lease 32471 both in the agricultural zone in the vicinity of Alder Avenue extension for development of two mink operations. Resolution 06-029 Alexander/Pinksen Resolved that the town has no objection to the applications from Tony Young for either of the locations indicated. Noting the zoning is agricultural and that the access will not be the responsibility of the town. 5 for, carried Renewal of the town’s quarry lease Council will review the quarry file at a meeting to be held specifically for that purpose in the near future. Fire Department 1. Lettering on the Fire Department Garage Doors The department’s correspondence requesting lettering on its garage doors and highway signage directing to Fire Station which the Department of Transportation may install upon request. The office will contact Transportation about signs. Resolution 06-030 Pinksen/Rideout Resolved that the town install lettering on the fire station’s garage doors as requested by the department. 5 for, carried. 2. Purchase of a Cube Van The department request was considered in length. Council is not prepared at this time to make a decision regarding this matter and it has been deferred. 3. Disciplinary Letter to Fire Fighter Fire Chief’s correspondence regarding disciplinary letter sent to member, a copy of which was attached. A lengthy discussion followed on this matter. Deputy Mayor Alexander explained the circumstances of the event to council. Council consensus was that the department should have policy on incidents and apply them consistently. 4. Inappropriate Language at Meetings There was a discussion on the conduct of some firefighters at the department’s meetings, in particular, the language which appears to be inflammatory. Council directed that a letter be sent to the fire department that this is not appropriate. Proper language and respect should be shown to fellow members, councillors and the public at all times. Rules of Conduct and maintaining control of meetings by Fire Chief important. 5. Membership Application Fire Chief’s comments regarding an application for membership. Since the department’s own by-laws deals with membership issues it will be returned to the fire chief for their final decision. 6. Other Business Council wants a full financial breakdown on the Firefighter’s Ball held in February. The department provided a current list of its members. Recreation 1. Appointment of Recreation Committee for 2006 Resolution 06-031 Pinksen/Alexander Resolved that the following members are appointed to the Cormack Recreation Committee for the term of January 1st to December 31st 2006: Marie Morris, President; Jennifer Humber, Secretary; Penny Ropson, Treasurer; Edith Baker, Loretta Keefe and Tina Park. 5 for carried. 2. Damage to Play Station at Larch Avenue Playground The Larch Avenue playground was damaged by a youth. Identification of the person has been confirmed and the parent has indicated that the damage will be paid for. Resolution 06-032 Pinksen/Pelley The cost of the labour to install the replacement part must be paid as well as the cost of the slide. 5 for, carried. Forest Management District 16 Guiding Principles of Sustainability and Environmental Protection Guidelines for Ecologically Based Forest Resource Management and accompanying mapping. CORRESPONDENCE Newfoundland and Labrador Municipal Employee Benefits, Inc. Information on health matters for distribution to employees. Municipal Assessment Agency advise the re-election of Mayor Fred Best as Chairperson. Mayor Darryl Kelly was elected to the board as its Western Director. The Honourable Jack Byrne of Municipal Affairs wrote council to ask that they encourage their municipal administrators to attend the “important” events planned for the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Municipal Administrators convention. The Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Municipal Administrators will hold its 2006 Annual Convention in Corner Brook from April 27 to 29th. Towns in the region are asked to contribute to the opening night ceremonies. The association provided a list of the educational topics to be presented in workshops during the convention. Resolution 06-033 Pinksen/Pelley Resolved that the town donate $25.00 to the NLAMA Opening Night ceremonies. 5 for, carried. The Honourable John Ottenheimer, Minister of Health and Community Services regarding upcoming public consultations aimed at developing a Provincial Healthy Aging Framework. The Mayor and Deputy Mayor attended a public meeting with the Office of Primary Health Care in Deer Lake on February 22nd. The Mayor gave a brief report. Elwood Elementary School ask for support of its Breakfast Program. Resolution 06-034 Alexander/Pinksen Resolved to make a donation of $100 to the Elwood Breakfast program. 5 for, carried. Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ invitation to join was declined by council. Arvo McMillan, MCIP Planning Consultant wrote with his comments following the February 23rd Public Information Meeting. Copied to councillors. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE Councillors were given a copy of the financial report prepared for the meeting showing accounts payable totalling $24 592.82, Cheque Register, Bank Account 1020 $45,115.99 and Cash on Hand $ 2,616.13. Resolution 06-035 Rideout/Alexander Resolved that the accounts presented for payment be paid. 5 for, carried. Councillor Pinksen left at 10:30 p.m. Other Business 1. Fee Waived for Fundraising Event Resolution 06-036 Alexander/Rideout Resolved to waive the hall rental fee for a fund raising event held by the Cormack Pentecostal Church for Mrs. Lilian Pearce. 4 for, carried. ADJOURNMENT Resolution 06-037 Rideout/Alexander Resolution to adjourn. 4 for, carried at 10:52 p.m.