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MEETING #440
MINUTES OF MEETING
GRAND FALLS-WINDSOR TOWN COUNCIL
HELD IN THE TOWN HALL
7:00 P.M., TUESDAY, JANUARY 20TH, 2015
PRESENT: Mayor: Allan Hawkins
Deputy Mayor: Barry Manuel
Councillors: Amy Coady-Davis, Darren Finn, Rodney Mercer,
Bruce Moores, Tom Pinsent
Staff: M. Pinsent, Town Manager\Clerk
J. Saunders, Director of Engineering & Works
D. Nichols, Director of Parks & Recreation
B. Griffin, Director of Finance
G. Hennessey, Economic Development Officer
The Mayor called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. and asked for any errors or omissions to the Minutes of Meeting #439 of Tuesday, December 16th, 2014.
Motion
Mercer\Pinsent
Be it resolved that the Minutes of Meeting #439 of Tuesday, December 16th, 2014 would be adopted as circulated. This motion carried by a vote of 7-0.
BUSINESS ARISING OUT OF THE MINUTES
None
DISBURSEMENT REPORT
Councillor Mercer presented the disbursement report in the amount of $459,318.58.
Motion
Mercer\Moores
Be it resolved that the disbursement report in the amount of $459,318.58 would be adopted as presented. This motion carried by a vote of 7-0.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Committee of the Whole
The following report was presented by Deputy Mayor Manuel.
Mill Property
The Committee had a general discussion regarding the mill demolition, future Nalcor occupation of the land along the river and future use of the land once demolition was complete.
It was agreed that Council would develop an action plan to methodically achieve certain goals to ensure the property gets used to the most prudent and responsible manner in the future.
The Committee recommends that Council and Senior Staff meet with a third party facilitator to formally start that process.
I move the recommendations and report of this Committee.
Motion
Manuel\Mercer
Be it resolved that these recommendations and report would be adopted as circulated. This motion carried by a vote of 7-0.
Economic Development and Tourism
The following report was presented by Councillor Coady-Davis.
Brand Items
The Committee discussed the status of our current inventory of brand items. The Economic Development Officer presented a list of items purchased in 2014 and the quantities remaining.
The Committee recommended that the Economic Development Officer identify several new brand promotional items from various sources and report back to the Committee at the next Committee meeting in three (3) weeks .
Mobile Vendor Regulations
The Committee reviewed the existing Mobile Vendor’s Regulations with respect to the selling of fireworks.
The majority of Council recommends this Regulation be reviewed at a future meeting.
Mid Winter Bivver – 2015
The Economic Development Officer gave a short report on a meeting held on January 6th with partners organizing this event. The events will take place from February 20th-21st and work has begun on marketing the event.
The Leisure Services Programmer will give a more detailed report to Council at the Parks & Recreation Committee meeting this week.
Home Based Business Regulations
Discussion on this topic was tabled until the next Economic Development Committee meeting.
Steve O’Brien Foundation Proposal
The Town has been contacted to participate in a community event with this organization in the winter of 2015 as part of his cross country tour.
After reviewing the material supplied, the Committee recommends that we do not participate in this event.
Adventure Tourism – Don Pelley
Mr. Pelley gave a brief presentation to the Committee on his work with the Provincial Government on identifying Beothuk artifacts along the Exploits River. He suggested that once the mill property is demolished, we should proceed cautiously with the development of a tourism strategy that incorporates a Beothuk component to it. He also suggested that the study being done on the Grand Falls House should tie in with any strategy we might develop on the mill site and the Exploits River in the coming years.
Other Business
New Business List 2014 – The Economic Development Officer presented a list of new businesses that opened in 2014. There were a total of 44 new businesses that opened last year, with 24 being commercial and 20 home based (HBB). There were 47 businesses open in 2013 and 27 in 2012.
Cushman and Wakefield Meeting – A representative from that company is meeting with the Town Manager\Clerk, Director of Engineering & Works and Economic Development Office on January 15th to discuss a business opportunity.
Provincial Health & Wellness Grant Program – The Economic Development Officer presented the details of this Provincial Government Grant to the Committee. Activities such as healthy eating and farmer’s markets quality for this funding. The Economic Development Officer will draw up a proposal and submit it by the January 28th deadline.
I move the recommendations and report of this Committee.
Motion
Coady-Davis\Finn
Be it resolved that these recommendations and report would be adopted as circulated. This motion carried by a vote of 7-0.
Deputy Mayor Manuel suggested that the Provincial Health and Wellness Grant Program in corporate a healthy snack and nutrition program in our specials events.
Parks, Recreation and Special Events
The following report was presented by Deputy Mayor Manuel.
Community Enhancement Employment Program Update
The Director informed the Committee that the Town will not receive a Community Enhancement Program Grant to continue work on the Scott Avenue Ski Trails this year.
The Committee recommends that the Director follow up and obtain information on why this Grant Application was unsuccessful.
2015 Canada Summer Grants
The Director informed the Committee that the deadline for the 2015 Canada Summer Grants is January 31st, 2015. The Director will submit the 2015 applications. It was noted that all funding received will be fifty percent (50%) cost shared with the Town.
Canada Day Grant
The Director informed the Committee that the deadline for the 2015 Canada Day Grant Application is January 15th, 2015 The Town’s application has been submitted and the Committee looks forward to receiving another substantial Canada Day Grant this year.
Winterlude 2015
The Committee discussed plans for the 2015 Winterlude which will be held from February 13th-16th, 2015. Any individuals or groups who wish to organize any activity may contact the Parks and Recreation Department Office at 489-0450.
Mid Winter Bivver
The Leisure Services Programmer provided the Committee with the Mid Winter Bivver budget and schedule. The media advertising for the event will commence on January 15th and run up until mid February.
The Committee is excited to be offering the Mid Winter Bivver and encourages participants to contact the Parks and Recreation Department to register for the event.
Correspondence – Sparkling Blades Skating Club
The Committee discussed correspondence presented from the Sparkling Blades Skating Club with respect to a proposed partnership with the Town for a “Gala Event” Skating Show in April 2015. The Show would feature world class skaters and would provide a much more upscale event than has ever been offered before.
The Committee discussed the correspondence and recommends that the Director meet with the Sparkling Blades Skating Club representatives and submit a total budget for the event for consideration at the next Committee meeting.
Town Funded Capital Requests
The Committee discussed the 2015 Town Funded Capital Requests List as presented by the Director. The Director will review the list with Management Committee next week.
The Committee recommends that the Town Funded Capital Requests be further discussed and finalized at the next Committee meeting.
Playground Equipment Update
The Director informed the Committee that the new small equipment playground structures for Sutherland Drive playground have been received and are ready for installation. Staff are meeting next week to finalize the large structures for Sutherland Drive playground and all the structure for the Main Street playground.
The Committee recommended that the three (3) larger structures will be different. Two (2) will go to Sutherland Drive and one (1) to Main Street. It was also recommended that all fitness and small structures be the same in both playgrounds for tendering purposes. All playground equipment will be going to tender on last week of January. The Committee looks forward to the opening of both playgrounds and the splash pad in late May or early June.
Fresh Start Theatre\Northcliffe Drama Club Program Budget
The Leisure Services Programmer presented the budget for the Fresh Start Theatre\Northcliffe Drama Club programs. The Department will sponsor and operate both programs.
The Committee recommends that the presented budget be approved and looks forward to providing both programs to the community.
Sports Recognition\Wall of Fame
The Committee discussed the organization and implementation of a Sports\Recognition Wall of Fame. As discussed at a previous Committee meeting, staff is preparing the possible location, cost and labour required to institute a Wall of Fame.
The Committee will continue discussions on developing a concept, policy and Advisory Committee to begin planning and work on this project in the next few weeks.
Town Athletic Awards Recognition Ceremonies
The Committee discussed the possible organization and operation of an Annual Athletic Awards Recognition Ceremonies. It was noted that the Director has a significant amount of information on other Towns Awards Ceremonies. The Committee discussed having the Athletic Awards as either a stand-alone event or combining the ceremony with other Town sponsored recognition ceremonies. The Director will distribute the information compiled to-date and the Committee will discuss this matter in preparation for implementation in 2016.
Correspondence – Memorial Bench Request
The Committee discussed correspondence received with respect to a request received to have a Memorial Bench placed at the Memorial Grounds.
The Committee recommends that this correspondence be sent to the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch No. 12 for their input and advice on this request.
Correspondence – CNVAS
The Committee discussed correspondence received from Central Visual Arts Society requesting space at the EXCITE Centre to operate the group’s program and events and also room to store their supplies and assets. CNVAS appreciates the current use of the Soccer Clubhouse but there have been some challenges which have prevented some members from access to the clubhouse.
The Committee recommends that staff allocate temporary space at the EXCITE Centre to CNVAS to operate their program, special events and to store their assets.
Parks and Recreation Department Winter Programs
The Leisure Services Programmer informed the Committee that the Parks and Recreation Winter Brochure has been delivered to all households via Canada Post. Registration for the Department’s Winter Programs have commenced this week and there is good registration numbers for the various programs and events offered by the Department.
The Committee looks forward to a successful Winter Program and encourages all residents to participate in the many activities available for all ages.
I move the recommendations and report of this Committee.
Motion
Manuel\Finn
Be it resolved that these recommendations and report would be adopted as circulated. This motion carried by a vote of 7-0.
Public Works and Planning
The following report was presented by Councillor Finn.
Crown Land Request – 104 Grenfell Heights
The Committee reviewed the application for additional Crown Land at the rear of 104 Grenfell Heights. (Councillor Pinsent excused himself from this item because of a family relationship.)
The Committee recommends that the request be approved and land be sold as per policy.
Crown Land Request – 106 Grenfell Heights
The Committee reviewed the application for additional Crown Land at the rear of 106 Grenfell Heights.
The Committee recommends the request be approved and land be sold as per policy.
Crown Land Request – 126 Grenfell Heights
The Committee reviewed the application for additional land at the rear of 126 Grenfell Heights.
The Committee recommends the land be sold as per policy.
Request for Re-zoning to develop a Convenience Store – 324 Grenfell Heights
The Town of Grand Falls-Windsor received a request to amend the Municipal Integrated Community Sustainability Plan 2012-2022 (Plan) and Development Regulations 2012-2022 (DR) in order to re-zone the property at 324 Grenfell Heights from a Low to Medium Density Multi-Unit Residential (RM-1) Zone to a Commercial Neighbourhood (CN) Zone. The purpose of this request is to enable the development of a convenience store. A notice for feedback was mailed to forty-three (43) property owners adjacent to the proposed site. The Town received seven (7) letters from property owners who objected to the proposed re-zoning and three (3) letters from property owners who were in support of the zoning change. The Committee reviewed the proposal and the feedback from adjacent property owners.
The Committee recommends that the request to amend the Plan and DR be denied for the following reasons:-
- There is already an area along Grenfell Heights that is zoned for
convenience store use, but is currently not in operation.
- There are strong concerns regarding increase in traffic, noise and overall
disruption to the residential neighbourhood.
Request for Re-zoning to develop a Single Family Dwelling – Main Street West
The Town of Grand Falls-Windsor received a request to amend the Municipal Integrated Community Sustainability Plan 2012-2022 (Plan) and Development Regulations 2012-2022 (DR) in order to re-zone a 1.898 hectare property (Estate of late James Ireland – Lot “A”) on Main Street West from an Industrial Light (IL) Zone and a Conservation (CON) Zone to a Single Unit Urban Residential (RS-3) Zone. The majority of the property is within the IL Zone and a small portion at the rear of the property, near Little Rushy Pond, is within the CON Zone.
The Committee reviewed the proposal and recommends that the request to amend the Plan and DR be denied for the following reasons:-
- The area zoned Industrial Light is designated specifically for industrial type
development because of its proximity to major roadways, the Trans Canada
Highway and other nearby industrial areas.
- There is no Town water and sewer infrastructure in place for residential
development in the proposed area.
- Residential development is not permitted in the area zoned Conservation.
Classic Theatre – Temporary Sign Application – Scott Avenue
The Town of Grand Falls-Windsor received a sign application to advertise Classic Theatre’s film title(s) on a temporary magnet sign on former Abitibi land, adjacent to Scott Avenue, behind Classic Theatre property at 10 High Street. This sign is attached to a 6 foot high metal pole on a stand. Sign face is 4 feet high and 3 feet wide. The Committee reviewed the application. The location of the temporary magnet sign is within the Commercial Downtown Zone. The Town is in the process of continuing with downtown streetscape improvements by preparing Downtown Signage Strategy and Regulations for the High Street Downtown Area which includes the location of this temporary signage. The current use of the temporary magnet sign along Scott Avenue by Classic Theatre can continue until notification of removal by the Town.