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HomeMy Public PortalAbout2017-05-25_Council_Public_Agenda PackagePage 1 of 2 MUNICIPAL COUNCIL AGENDA Thursday,May 25, 2017 Chester Municipal Council Chambers at 8:45 a.m. 151 King Street, Chester, NS 1.MEETING CALLED TO ORDER. 2.APPROVAL OF AGENDA/ORDER OF BUSINESS. 3.PUBLIC INPUT SESSION 4.AWARDS PRESENTATION: 4.1 Presentation -Best of Chester Municipality Awards (appointment at 9:00 a.m.) (For those winners who were not present at the celebration event held on April 27, 2017 at Atlantica Oak Island in Western Shore) 5.MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING: 5.1 Council –May 18, 2017 (tbc) 6.COMMITTEE REPORTS: 6.1 Recreation and Parks Committee –April 4, 2017 –Councillor Church (receive minutes only) 6.2 Any other Committees. 7.MATTERS ARISING: 7.1 Letter from New Ross Regional Development Society dated April 12, 2017 regarding Property Valuation Services presentation and letters to Council (deferred from the April 27, 2017 Council Meeting until UNSM Rural Caucus Meeting held). 8.CORRESPONDENCE: 8.1 Presentation by Carroll Randall regarding 55+ Games (appointment at 9:15 a.m.) 8.2 Correspondence from Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) dated May 9, 2017 regarding Spring Flooding Appeal. Page 2 of 2 8.3 Correspondence from Royal Canadian Legion Branch #144 dated April 29, 2017 regarding the 2017 Remembrance Day Flyby and request for letter of support granting permission. 8.4 Email from Jim Pattillo dated May 13, 2017 regarding Shipping Containers in the Chester Area. 9.NEW BUSINESS: 9.1 Request for Decision prepared by Tammy Wilson, CAO dated May 16, 2017 regarding NOW Lunenburg County Ambassador Program. 10.IN CAMERA: 10.1 Personnel Matter -Section 22 (2)(c). 11.ADJOURNMENT. ARRANGED APPOINTMENTS 9:00 a.m.Presentations -Best of Chester Municipality Awards (see item 4.1) 9:15 a.m.Presentation by Carroll Randall regarding 55+ Games (see item 8.1) DATE: April 27, 2017 SUBJECT: Best of Chester Municipality Awards WINNERS Winners of the second annual “Best of Chester Municipality Awards” were announced at a celebration event held on April 27, 2017 at Atlantica Oak Island Resort in Western Shore. The initiative is to celebrate local businesses and give the public a chance to express their appreciation by choosing their favorites. Online voters could nominate one business in each of 26 categories once per day. A total of 1329 entries were recorded with a total of 3979 votes and 222 businesses nominated. Congratulations to the winners in each category:  Best Artisanal Retailer – Scotian Ironworks (runner up: Mel-Lo Treasures)  Best Building Services - Toadz Odd Jobs (runner up: ABLE Engineering)  Best Building Supplies Store – New Ross Home Hardware (runner up: Castle Building Supplies)  Best Community Space – Forties Community Centre (joint runners up: Our Health Centre & Lordly Park)  Best Farm/Forestry Business – Spruce Top Farm (runner up: Higbee’s  Berry Farm & Nursery  Best Garden Services – Oceanview Garden Centre (runner up: Elaine Collicutt & Sons)  Best Gas Station – Russell’s Service Station (runner up: Petro- Canada)  Best Grocery/Convenience Store – Foodland (runner up: Spidle's Your Independent Grocer)  Best Health/Beauty Services – Between Friends Hair Studio (runner up: Luna Salon & Spa)  Best Health Care Provider – Edwina’s Foot Care Services (runner up: Posture Perfect Massage Therapy)  Best Manufacturing Business – GN Thermoforming Equipment (runner up: Hawboldt Industries (1989) Ltd.)  Best Marine Services – Gold River Marina Ltd. (runner up: South Shore Marine)  Best Mechanic/Auto Shop - Jeff's Old Volks Home (runner up: Stone Crest Automotive)  Best Non-Profit Group – Integrity’s Haven Equine (Animal) Rescue Centre (runner up: New Ross Regional Development Society)  Best Pet Services – Your Friend and Mine Pet Supplies (runner up: Oceanmark K9 Resort)  Best Place to have Breakfast – Vittles Café (runner up: Kiwi Café)  Best Place to have Coffee – Vittles Café (runner up: Kiwi Café)  Best Place to have Supper - Peasant's Pantry (runner up: The Fo’c’sle)  Best Place to Stay – Mecklenburgh Inn (runner up: Atlantica Oak Island)  Best Professional Services – New Ross Credit Union Ltd. (runner up: Scotiabank)  Best Real Estate Company – Tradewinds Realty (runner up: Duckworth Real Estate)  Best Restaurant/Pub – The Fo’c’sle (runner up: Kiwi Café)  Best Spa/Fitness Facility – Aqua Spa (runner up: Luna Salon & Spa)  Best Specialist/(Food) Retailer – Peasant’s Pantry (runner up: Julien’s Bakery)  Best Take-Out – Peasant’s Pantry (runner up: 4 Way Stop Restaurant)  Best Vendor at a Farmer's Market – Joint winners: Higbee’s Berry Farm & Nursery and Mel-Lo Treasures Farm & Forest Assessment Rural Caucus of UNSM meeting May 10, 2017 Carlos Resendes, VP Business & Innovation Services, PVSC Lloyd MacLeod, Sr. Manager, Commercial Valuation, PVSC Paul Beazley, Regional Manager, PVSC Assessment Act: Classifications •26 (1) All assessments shall be designated as being residential property, commercial property or resource property, or partly one and partly another. •Interpretation: (s) “resource property” means –(i) farm property –(ii) forest property 2 Farm and Forest Land Defined: •2 (1) g “Farm property” means the land and complementary buildings used for agricultural purposes, but does not include any residential property and the land used in connection with it •2 (1) h “Forest property” means any lot of land, excluding any buildings or structures, not used or intended to be used for residential or commercial or industrial purposes, or in any combination Resource Property Exempt from Taxation •Resource properties that are determined to be farm or bona fide forest according the Act, are exempt from taxation. –47 (1) All forest property bona fide used or intended to be used for forestry purposes shall be exempt from taxation under this Act or any other public or private Act of the Legislature authorizing a tax on the assessed value of property, except as provided in the Municipal Government Act. –46 (1) All land, excluding any buildings or structures thereon, classified as farm property shall be exempt from taxation under this Act or any other public or private Act of the Legislature authorizing a tax on the assessed value of property 4 Municipal Government Act – Taxation •77 (1) The Minister shall in each year pay to the municipality in which farm property exempt from taxation is situate a grant equal to $2.10 per acre in respect of the land. (2) For the fiscal year ending March 31, 2001, and for each subsequent fiscal year, the Minister shall pay to the municipality in which the land is situate a grant per acre equal to the grant paid for the immediately preceding fiscal year varied by the same percentage as the variation in the cost of living….. •78 (1) In lieu of all rates and taxes of the municipality, an owner of forest property bona fide used or intended to be used for forestry purposes shall annually pay a tax, to be known as a forest property tax, equal to (a) twenty-five cents per acre, if the forest property is classified as resource property; and (b) forty cents per acre, if the forest property is classified as commercial property, and, where an area, village or commission rate is levied for fire protection, the owner is liable to pay an additional annual tax not exceeding one cent per acre, as the authority levying the area, village or commission rate determines. 5 Valuation Process – Farm & Forest •PVSC uses mass appraisal, analyzing the market factors that would affect the value in any given area •Values for the 2017 assessment roll reflect a valuation date of January 1, 2016 (called the base date) and the physical state of the property as of December 1, 2016 (called the state date) •Assessment Act: 42 (1) All property shall be assessed at its market value, such value being the amount which in the opinion of the assessor would be paid if it were sold on a date prescribed by the Director in the open market by a willing seller to a willing buyer, but in forming his opinion the assessor shall have regard to the assessment of other properties in the municipality so as to ensure that, subject to Section45A, taxation falls in a uniform manner upon all residential and resource property and in a uniform manner upon all commercial property in the municipality. Resource Property Review Process •There are certain activities than generate a review of a resource property: –Sales –Subdivision of land –Inquiries –Permits •We send a Statement of Property Use form. The assessor uses the information provided to determine: –The property classification –Whether a family exemption is applicable –Whether an exempt use has ceased 7 Snapshot of Current Data Total of 76,814 accounts •Farm 23,721 •Forest 49,195 •Commercial Forest 3897 Total Market Value of $4.8 B •Farm $2.27B •Com Forest $0.511B •Forest $2.01B General Distribution Guidelines – Farm & Forestry Exempt •A forest management agreement is an indication of the practice of forestry, but a management agreement is not essential and forestry management practices can be carried out by an individual owner. •In order for a property to be considered as forestry resource (exempt) there must be a “substantial act” of forestry activity being carried out on the property. This may include: –Timber harvesting and/or tree cutting - Renewal and/or planting –Construction of roads or trails - Blazing, signage and/or making of boundary lines –Wildlife management - Community forest –Regular inspections - Spraying, pruning and/or cutting –Sugar woods harvesting •In order for a property to be considered as farm resource (exempt) we look for a farm registration number or evidence of farming: presence of equipment, animals, etc. 10 What’ext •Engagement with: –Department of Natural Resources –Department of Agriculture –Stakeholders Questions and Contact Information Carlos Resendes, VP Business & Innovation Services 902-471-6482 carlosresendes@pvsc.ca PVSC Service Centre 1-800-380-7775 Facebook: ns 55+ games 2017 55plusgames2017@gmail.com www.2017ns55plusgames.ca Warden Webber and Councillors of the Municipality of the District of Chester The Nova Scotia 55+ Games 2017 Lunenburg County Committee wants to thank you for allowing us to present to the Council today. We would like to give you a brief history, an overview of the games, where we are to date and we would like to ask for your help. In 2003 the Nova Scotia 55+ Games Society was formed. Their mission and now our mission is to “Bring together individuals from across the province, age 55+, to an event featuring games of both physical and mental challenges and at the same time provide a venue emphasizing social interaction”. The first games were held at Cornwallis Park in 2005 and the games have run every two years since that time with the last in 2015 being held in Pictou County with over 750 participants. In the off years, the National Association hosts the Canadian 55+ Games somewhere in Canada. In 2018 our champions will be invited to Saint John, NB. In 2015 Events Lunenburg County was awarded the 2017 games and in turn created our committee. Our games will be held from September 13 –16 and includes 25 different sports and activities throughout Lunenburg County. There will be events in all five municipal units and we hope to attract 1 000 participants and their families to our county.Besides working on the games events we are also partnering with the Boards of Trade, Chamber of Commerce, Business Community Associations, Tourism, the Provincial and Federal governments and many community individuals to put this event together. As you know, bringing that many people to Lunenburg County will have an enormous economic impact on the region and we plan to encourage participants and their families to come early or stay longer to enjoy all of our hidden treasurers and special places. As a spinoff of this event, we want to create an “Active Senior/Healthy Senior”health fair that will attract our Lunenburg County 55+ residents to come and have a look. While there we hope to show them how easy it is to be more active, what resources are out there to help them and give them examples of healthy eating as well. 55+ Games Committee Lunenburg County Lifestyle Centre 135 North Park Street Bridgewater, NS B4V 9B3 Facebook: ns 55+ games 2017 55plusgames2017@gmail.com www.2017ns55plusgames.ca To operate this three-day event it is going to take a lot of resources. Many volunteers are needed and as always, Lunenburg County people are lining up to help. As the calls go out for volunteers people are responding. The other part of the resources needed is financial. At this point our budget is $121,000. We have received commitments from other levels of government for $25 000, Lawtons has committed $5 000 and the Lunenburg County Community Health Board has committed $2 500. We have several other grant applications submitted and more to come but this is all tentative. We are hoping that the five municipal units in Lunenburg County can collectively commit $12 –15 000 to our project.In 2015 the Pictou County Municipalities contributed $12,000 to that event. With that in mind, we would formally ask the Municipality of Chester for a cash commitment of $5,000. The motto of the games is, “Fun, Fitness and Friendship.” We hope that the Municipality of the District of Chester can help us and we look forward to partnering with you in showcasing our beautiful county. Thank you for your time. Carroll Randall Robin Scott Co-Chairs Nova Scotia 55+ Games 2017 Lunenburg County 1 Cindy Hannaford From:FCM Communiqué <communique@fcm.ca>Sent:Tuesday, May 9, 2017 4:05 PM To:Pam Myra Subject:Spring Flooding Appeal May 9, 2017 Spring Flooding Appeal Dear members, Over the past few days, we’ve watched our colleagues in communities in Quebec, Eastern Ontario, New Brunswick and British Columbia deal with relentless spring flooding. We’ve seen rising waters damage homes, overwhelm neighbourhoods and upend lives. FCM and Canada’s municipal sector want to express support for our colleagues in the flood- affected areas. Municipalities are on the front lines of extreme weather. When the worst hits, we need to be there for one another —just like we have in the past. The Canadian Red Cross is already at work in impacted communities, and has set up a fund to help. We’re asking municipalities to consider making a donation to support these critical efforts. In moments like these, we’re reminded of why it’s so important for all orders of government to work together. FCM will continue to work with our federal partners to ensure municipalities have sufficient financial support in a disaster. And we continue to stand in solidarity with municipal leaders, local first responders and residents working tirelessly to protect our communities. Sincerely, Clark Somerville FCM President 2 Find us: This is a publication of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities ©2016.24 Clarence Street,Ottawa, Ontario K1N 5P3 | T. 613-241-5221 | F. 613-241-7440 This newsletter was sent to barmstrong@chester.ca.To opt-out, follow this link:Unsubscribe |Privacy PolicyChange your language |View email in your browser 1 Cindy Hannaford Subject:FW: Containers Begin forwarded message: From:James Pattillo <jpattillo@pattillogrp.com> Date:May 13, 2017 at 8:30:04 PM ADT To:Allan Webber <awebber@chester.ca> Subject:Containers Chester Municipal council C/O Mr Allan Webber Warden, Re Containers in Chester area Dear Warden, Chester and 'containers' do not fit. Chester, with all its planning and priorities to develop & improve itself, has no room to accommodate a look of 'light industrial' containers in yards & corners. An eye sore. We have spent time & $ for planning & developing the future of our Village and area as a whole. Designed regs & priorities such as setbacks etc are lost when 'light industrial' impairs the view. The plans of Chester do not include 'containers'. There are far more pressing issues that Chester needs to consider. The ongoing development of the community includes infrastructure regulated to improve the standards of this Village and immediate area, not diminish it by allowing 'containers' to be allowed with all their looks of 'industrial storage'. Allowing such flys in the face of the building by laws. Suggest that the Council please get on with more pressing issues? Regards, Jim Pattillo REQUEST FOR DECISION Prepared By:Jennifer Veinotte, Comm Officer Date May 16, 2017 Reviewed By:Tammy Wilson, CAO Date May 16, 2017 Authorized By:Tammy Wilson, CAO Date May 16, 2017 CURRENT SITUATION At the February 2, 2017 meeting,Committee of the Whole directed staff to determine criteria and costs for the selection of an MODC resident to act as ambassador in the NOW Lunenburg County Cross- Country Tour 2017. As a result, three options for selection process were developed. RECOMMENDATION Option 2: Application-based process:Opportunity is advertised publicly and applications submitted by interested candidates by a deadline. Council will select from submissions. Demonstrates transparency and fair play Opens selection process to wider community, presenting multiple candidates from which Council can choose Will receive applications from willing candidates who are fully aware of the costs, their role, and the commitment involved. BACKGROUND After extensive community engagement,NOW Lunenburg County has developed an initiative to attract new residents to the area. Their strategy is to travel across Canada and stop in specific cities to set up a temporary kiosk (a redesigned camper trailer) that will have information about everything anyone would need to know about relocating to Lunenburg County. In addition to a letter of support, they were also looking for ambassadors to represent the five municipal units in the County. The idea is that travel costs for ambassadors will be covered by respective units. We have the option to send one or more ambassadors to one or more travel stops along the tour. DISCUSSION After speaking with Tina Hennigar, representing NOW Lunenburg County, the dates available on the tour are: Medicine Hat, AB: August 1-2 Moose Jaw, SK:August 3-4 Regina, SK: August 4-5 Brandon, MB: August 7 Winnipeg, MB: August 8-10 REPORT TO:Municipal Council SUBMITTED BY:Tammy Wilson, CAO DATE:May 18, 2017 SUBJECT:NOW Lunenburg County Ambassador Program ORIGIN:Motion 2017-067 2 Request For Decision/Direction Thunder Bay, ON: August 11 Sault Ste Marie, ON: August 13 Her recommendation is that we select a candidate who represents the sector we are trying to attract to the area (eg, young families, entrepreneurs, people who’ve recently moved here, etc.). IMPLICATIONS Policy-N/A Financial/Budgetary NOW Lunenburg County is suggesting a travel bursary of $1,500-$2,500 per participant to cover flight, hotel and meals reimbursed to the participant. Environmental N/A Strategic Plan Strengthen and support environmental, cultural, and social resources; Continually reinforce the positive image of the Municipality through leadership in public engagement and communication; Promote conditions conducive to fostering economic prosperity. Work Program Implications N/A OPTIONS Option 1: Invitation-based process:Council invites candidates who they feel to be a good fit for this project. Provides control over selection Circumvents public process If invitee agrees to represent MODC, this process minimizes staff resources Option 2: Application-based process:Opportunity is advertised publicly and applications submitted by interested candidates by a deadline. Council will select from submissions. Demonstrates transparency and fair play Opens selection process to wider community, presenting multiple candidates from which Council can choose Will receive applications from willing candidates who are fully aware of the costs, their role, and the commitment involved. 3 Request For Decision/Direction Option 3: Nomination-based process:Candidates are nominated by those in the community who they feel would best represent MODC. Demonstrates transparency and fair play Provides endorsement from more than the candidate themselves If one option is unsuccessful, an alternate option can be identified by Council as a “back-up.” Some attributes of candidates considered for ambassador: a resident of the Municipality of Chester legal age of majority able to travel in Canada with no restrictions experienced dealing with the public be comfortable engaging with the public possess sufficient local knowledge and overall knowledge of the Municipality able to express what they would say or do to best represent and promote the Municipality able to answer a series of “test” questions around local landmarks, activities, opportunities, business climate, etc. able to provide two letters of support from non-relative members of the community that include why they think they would make an ideal candidate be available for travel during one or more of the destination dates ATTACHMENTS Full travel itinerary for information COMMUNICATIONS (INTERNAL/EXTERNAL) We will promote the selection process Council chooses through the website, social media,and media release to local outlets.