PRESENT:
Councillor Ron Cooper, Chair
Councillor Condo Sarto
Councillor Bruce Hetherington
Councillor Jack Greenough
Councillor Harry McInroy
ABSENT:
Councillor John Cunningham (regrets)
Councillor Clint Schofield
STAFF:
Ms. Lynne LeBoutillier, Assistant Municipal Clerk
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
3. APPROVAL OF THE ORDER OF BUSINESS AND APPROVAL OF ADDITIONS AND DELETIONS
4. BUSINESS ARISING OUT OF THE MINUTES - NONE
5. MOTIONS OF RECONSIDERATION - NONE
6. MOTIONS OF RESCISSION - NONE
7. CONSIDERATION OF DEFERRED BUSINESS
9. CORRESPONDENCE, PETITIONS AND DELEGATIONS
12. ADDED ITEMS
14. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
15. ITEMS FOR NEXT AGENDA - NONE
16. NEXT MEETING
1. INVOCATION
The meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m. with an invocation.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOVED by Councillors Greenough and Hetherington that the Minutes of June 4, 1998 be approved as circulated. MOTION PUT AND PASSED.
3. APPROVAL OF THE ORDER OF BUSINESS AND APPROVAL OF ADDITIONS AND DELETIONS
Reference was made to an added item - Correspondence: Letter from Cynthia and Jeff Sawler re Taxation. The Chair suggested items 9.1 and 10.1 be combined as 9.1 and the aforementioned correspondence be added under the item 9.1.1.
Councillor Hetherington requested that Highway 111 Lighting System be added under New Business.
MOVED by Councillors Hetherington and Greenough that the Order of Business, as amended, be approved. MOTION PUT AND PASSED.
4. BUSINESS ARISING OUT OF THE MINUTES - NONE
5. MOTIONS OF RECONSIDERATION - NONE
6. MOTIONS OF RESCISSION - NONE
7. CONSIDERATION OF DEFERRED BUSINESS
7.1 FENCE PERMIT APPLICATION - KIWANIS CLUB OF COLE HARBOUR
The Chair noted that a presentation was made at the last meeting regarding a Fence Permit Application by the Kiwanis Club of Cole Harbour. Public in put on the application was heard at this meeting, but a decision was deferred to allow time for the Kiwanis representatives and the area residents to meet to further discuss the concerns. Apparently no agreement has been reached in the interim.
Councillor Hetherington expressed confidence that a resolution to this matter can be achieved between the two parties. Whether a motion was to approve the application is passed or defeated, he felt the situation will not be resolved and proposed that a decision be deferred until the September meeting, to permit further discussion. He hoped the residents and Kiwanis would notify him of their meeting(s).
MOVED by Councillors Greenough and Sarto that the Community Council defer decision to the next meeting to allow time for the Kiwanis to meet further with the residents. MOTION PUT AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
9. CORRESPONDENCE, PETITIONS AND DELEGATIONS
9.1 CORRESPONDENCE
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
Councillor Greenough declared a conflict as he has a relative through marriage who owns a property in the area to be discussed and he removed himself from discussions.
9.1.1 LETTERS FROM D. G. UHRICK, CYNTHIA AND JEFF SAWLER RE MUNICIPAL TAXATION - MONTAGUE ROAD SUBURBAN AREA
Mr. Uhrick and Mr. Percy addressed Community Council on behalf of residents of the Montague Road area which includes Burnhope Drive, Montague Gold Mines and Gold Lane.
Mr. Percy gave a history of how the tax structure evolved following amalgamation, noting that the area in question currently pays an urban tax rate when it does not benefit from either sidewalks or transit or have quick access to the latter.
Reference was made to the fact that when the first tax bill was issued, detailing charges, 105 property owners from this area registered their objections. The majority of the objections related to the fact that the area is being charged for the above noted services.
Reference was made to a petition regarding this matter which was provided to Councillor Cooper. It was stressed that 100% of the residents signed this petition.
Concern was expressed by Mr. Uhrick that there appears to be a reluctance on staff's part to admit there was a mistake and correct the situation by recommending an adjustment to the boundary.
Following the presentations and questions posed by Councillors, the Chair asked Councillor Hetherington to assume the Chair.
Councillor Cooper noted that this is not a new item. He stressed that the concept of fair and equal treatment is an idea the Halifax Regional Municipality should strive for. He did not feel the arguments presented by the Chief Administrative Officer to support maintaining the status quo were sufficient reason not to make changes to the boundary. He stressed that the Suburban Boundaries were set up to provide equal treatment, but these residents don't have sidewalks or the benefit of transit.
MOVED by Councillors Cooper and McInroy that the Harbour East Community Council indicate support to Halifax Regional Council for the inclusion of the area of Montague Road, including Gold Lane, Montague Gold Mines and Burnhope Drive into the Suburban Area Boundary and they transmit such support to the Halifax Regional Municipality with the request that they be included in the Suburban Boundary. MOTION PUT AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
During debate of the above motion, Councillor Sarto requested that he be provided with a copy of the staff report outlining the criteria used to determine what properties fall within the suburban area. Staff was requested to supply Councillor Sarto with a copy of this report.
Councillor Cooper returned to his seat for the vote.
Following the vote, Councillor Greenough resumed his place.
10.1 MONTAGUE ROAD SUBURBAN AREA - COUNCILLOR COOPER
10.2 APPOINTMENTS TO HALIFAX COUNTY WATERSHED ADVISORY BOARD
A report from the Community Council Membership Selection Committee, dated June 24, 1998 regarding ratification of appointments to the Halifax County Watershed Advisory Board was before Council.
MOVED by Councillors Sarto and Greenough that the HECC adopt the recommendations for appointment to the Halifax County Watershed Advisory Board as proposed in the Community Council Membership Selection Committee's report of June 24, 1998.
12.1 LIGHTS CIRCUMFERENTIAL HIGHWAY, GASTON ROAD EXTENSION TO PLEASANT STREET
Councillor Hetherington referred to an earlier request for lights on the Circumferential Highway from the Gaston Road Extension to Pleasant Street. The Department of Transportation declined the request indicating their survey determined these lights were not required. A letter was subsequently sent requesting a copy of the survey and to date no response has been received. Councillor Hetherington requested that a follow-up letter be sent to the Minister of Transportation and the original recipient requesting a copy of the survey and justification for the lights not being installed.
14. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Mr. Dale Pool, facility member of Dalhousie's School of Public Administration advised that a grant has been received to study the consequences of amalgamationn. Work will be done over the course of the next two years. He introduced Shane Robertson, his Research Assistant, who is studying the work of community councils. In addition to reviewing minutes and agendas, Mr. Robertson will conduct interviews with Councillors.
15. ITEMS FOR NEXT AGENDA - NONE
16. NEXT MEETING
The next meeting will be held the second Thursday of September - September 10th. If a new venue is chosen for this meeting, it will be publicized.
17. ADJOURNMENT
MOVED by Councillors Sarto and Greenough that the meeting be adjourned at 8:05 p.m.
Lynne LeBoutillier
ASSISTANT MUNICIPAL CLERK
