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HomeMy Public PortalAbout2019-02-28_Council_Agenda_ Package Page 1 of 2 of Agenda Cover Page(s) MUNICIPAL COUNCIL AGENDA Thursday, February 28, 2019 Chester Municipal Council Chambers 151 King Street, Chester, NS 1. MEETING CALLED TO ORDER. 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA/ORDER OF BUSINESS. 3. PUBLIC INPUT SESSION (8:45 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.) 4. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING: 4.1 Council – February 14, 2019 5. COMMITTEE REPORTS: 5.1 Committee of the Whole – February 21, 2019 – Warden Webber (approval of motions only) 5.2 Committee of the Whole – February 7, 2019 – Warden Webber (receive minutes only) 5.3 Any other Committees. 6. MATTERS ARISING . 7. CORRESPONDENCE: 7.1 Presentation by Marilyn Keddy and Connie Duchene on behalf of the Campaign to Protect Offshore Nova Scotia (CPONS). (appointment at 9:15 a.m.) a) DRAFT Municipal Council Resolution on Offshore Drilling. b) Additional correspondence received regarding offshore drilling: i. Email from Connie Duchene dated January 23, 2019. ii. Email from Dawn Harwood-Jones dated January 30, 2019. iii. Email from Martha Scott dated January 30, 2019. iv. Letter from Jane Moody dated January 30, 2019. v. Letter from Andrew Breen received February 14, 2019. vi. Letter from Judy Parsons received on February 15, 2019. vii. Letter from Denise Peterson-Rafuse dated February 18, 2019. Page 2 of 2 7.2 Presentation by Yvonne Mosley regarding Lyme Disease (appointment at 9:30 a.m.) 7.3 Letter received on February 21, 2019 from New Ross Regional Development Society regarding interest of the general public to be more able to access Council Meetings, via video and/or audio. 7.4 Letter of response from NS Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal dated February 5, 2019 regarding Rosebank Bridge along Trunk 12 in New Ross, Lunenburg County. 8. NEW BUSINESS: 8.1 Request for Decision prepared by Finance Department dated February 21, 2019 regarding Pre -budget Capital Project Approval. 9. IN CAMERA : 9.1 Section 22(2)(e) of the MGA – Contract Negotiations – Waste Collection. 10. ADJOURNMENT. APPOINTMENT S 9:15 a.m. Marilyn Keddy and Connie Duchene regarding Campaign to Protect Offshore Nova Scotia. 9:30 a.m. Yvonne Mosley regarding Lyme Disease Presentation /Video. MOTIONS FOR COUNCIL APPROVAL FROM COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE – FEBRUARY 21, 2019 2019-062 Approval of Agenda and Order of Business. 2019-063 Approval of February 7, 2019 Committee of the Whole minutes as amended. 2019-064 MAJOR PROJECT GRANT REQUESTS MOVED by Councillor Connors, SECONDED by Councillor Barkhouse that the Committee of the Whole recommend to Council to support the following applications for their financial requests of the Community Development Funds through the Wind Revenue – Community Development as follows: • Church Memorial Park - $35,000 • New Ross Farmers Association - $100,000 • New Ross Trails Society - $35,307 • Shoreham Village Seniors Citizens Association - $98,694. CARRIED. 2019-065 LUNENBURG COUNTY ACCESSIBILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE – PARTICIPATION AND TERM SOF REFERENCE MOVED by Councillor Barkhouse, SECONDED by Councillor Church that the Committee of the Whole recommend to Council that the Municipality of the District of Chester join with the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg, Town of Bridgewater, Town of Lunenburg, and Town of Mahone Bay to establish the Lunenburg County Accessibility Advisory Committee and that the Terms of Reference for the Lunenburg County Accessibility Advisory Committee be approved. CARRIED. 2019-066 A PPOINTMENT TO LUNENBURG COUNTY ACCESSIBILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MOVED by Councillor Hector, SECONDED by Councillor Assaff that the Committee of the Whole recommend to Council that Councillor Barkhouse be appointed to the Lunenburg County Accessibility Advi sory Committee for a two -year term. CARRIED. 2019-067 APPOINTMENT OF ALTERNATE TO LUNENBURG COUNTY ACCESSIBILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MOVED by Councillor Hector, SECONDED by Councillor Connors that the Committee of the Whole recommend to Council that Councillor Assaff be the alternate to Councillor Barkhouse as a member of the Lunenburg County Accessibility Advisory Committee for a two -year term. CARRIED. 2019-068 APPROVAL OF TRAINING FOR COUNCILLOR BARKHOUSE – EXECUTIVE CERTIFICATE IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT (DALHOUSIE) MOVED by Councillor Assaff, SECONDED by Councillor Barkhouse that the Committee of the Whole recommend to Council to app rove the request of Councillor Barkhouse to be pay for enrolment in the Executive Certificate in Local Government at Dalhousie University at a cost of $2,995. CARRIED. 2019-069 In Camera - Section 22(2)(e) of the MGA – Contract Negotiations – Kaizer Meadow and Municipal Physical Activity Leader Program. 2019-070 RENEWAL OF MPAL MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING MOVED by Councillor Connors, SECONDED by Councillor Barkhouse that the Committee of the Whole recommend to Council to renew the Memorandum of Underst anding with the Province for the Municipal Physical Activity Leadership Program (MPAL) for a five -year period. CARRIED. 2019-071 Adjournment. Presentation to the Municipality of the District of Chester February 21, 2019 Campaign to Protect Offshore Nova Scotia (CPONS): southshore.cpons@gmail.com protectoffshorens.wordpress.com Facebook.com/ProtectOffshoreNS/ CPONS MISSION To protect Nova Scotia waters, shorelines and ecosystems from risks associated with offshore exploration and development RECENT ACCIDENTS BY INDUSTRY •2016: Shell drops 2kms of pipe landing 12 metres from a wellhead. •June 2018: BP spills 136, 000 litres of synthetic ‘drilling mud’ •November 2018: Husky Energy spills 250,000 litres of oil into the ocean. It cannot been recovered. Leading Expert on Offshore Risk Assessment Dr. Robert Bea: “I felt déjà vu looking at BP’s proposals to drill offshore Nova Scotia” WHAT’S AT RISK? The export value of Nova Scotia’s seafood products in 2016: $1.8 billion Estimated revenues from tourism in 2016: $2.6 billion Royalty payments from offshore oil production between 2000 and 2016: $1.9 billion Seismic Blasts: The loudest human-produced noise, right after nuclear and chemical explosions WE NEED A PUBLIC INQUIRY •grossly inadequateregulatory system •lack of publicinvolvement •no public educationbased on unbiasedresearch •risk to our way oflife and sustainablefishery and tourism Sable Island National Park Reserve WHY MUNCIPALITIES SHOULD TAKE A STAND •municipalities offer residents the most immediate and accessible form of democracy •this issue fundamentally affects the economic and environmental health of our rural South Shore communities •municipalities heavily influenced the inquiry which resulted in the Georges Bank moratorium •towns and cities in the US were responsible for the moratorium in the US Atlantic •concerned citizens have been ignored in the regulatory approval process. Municipalities need to defend that right. Support the call for a public inquiry! Thank You! Drilling for Oil off Nova Scotia: Why we need a Public Inquiry 1) The people designated to protect and develop Nova Scotia’s ocean wealth should not have a vested interest. But they do. The Canada Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board (CNSOPB) is dominated by oil industry veterans. How can we trust them to protect our resources when they are on the side of development at any price? Now the Federal Government has introduced Bill C -69, which will give the CNSOPB an increased role in environmental assessment. 2) Developing offshore oil at any cost is risking our economic security. Nova Scotia’s sustainable fishery brings in close to 2 BILLION DOLLARS annually. The province’s tourism indus try is worth another 2.5 BILLION annually. Yet the TOTAL royalties from 16 years of oil and gas industry activity don’t even equal last year’s take from the fishery. And FISHERY MONEY STAYS IN NOVA SCOTIA. Most oil profits don’t. 3)What are we risking? Some of the richest fishing grounds and fish nurseries on the planet.After the disaster in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010, the fishing industry there has STILL not recovered. Record amounts of compensation paid by BP went mainly to large industry companies. Small fishermen got next to nothing. BP was drilling off Nova Scotia until recently. Within a couple of months of exploratory activity, they spilled 136,000 litres of synthetic drilling mud. BP capped that well in November. But it still has leases on our offshore. Other accidents have happened: In 2016, Shell dropped 2 kilometres of pipe on the Scotian Shelf –just 12 metres from the wellhead. 12 metres away from a major catastrophe. A few months ago, off Newfoundland, a production vessel of Husky Energy spil led as much as 250,000 litres of oil into the ocean. WE ARE PLAYING RUSSIAN ROULETTE WITH OUR RESOURCES AND OUR FUTURE. A Public Inquiry would force governments and the oil industry to answer the questions Nova Scotians should be asking. What’s at risk? Why aren’t citizens being told about those risks? Why aren’t WE the ones to decide if we want to take those risks? Municipal Council Resolution on Offshore DrillingSummer, 2018 A healthy marine environment is critical to industries, likefishing and tourism,that are the primary lifeblood of NovaScotiacoastalcommunities.It is our responsibility to protect and nurture our localeconomies. It is also our right, and the right of our citizens tobe consulted on all major developments that might impactthose economies.The catastrophic effect of a major oil spill at an offshore drillsite is unthinkable, yet public knowledge of the risk andpotential consequences of such a spill remains inadequate.We hereby call for a full and independent public inquiry intothe pros and cons of oil industry exploration in offshore NovaScotiato provide our communities, who bear the lion’s share ofthe risk of a disaster in the offshore, a full appreciation of theextent of that risk and of the steps we can take to minimize it.We also call for a moratorium on all further oil and gasexploration in the offshore pending the compl etion of thatinquiry. 1 Cindy Hannaford Subject:FW: offshore drilling From:connie duchene < > Sent:Wednesday, January 23, 2019 10:10 AM To:Council <council@chester.ca> Subject:offshore drilling Jan. 23, 2019 Chester, N.S. To the Council of the Municipality of Chester: I am writing to express my grave concerns with the approved drilling of the deep oil and gas exploration wells in the oceans off southeast Nova Scotia by BP (British/Beyond Petroleum). The driving force for this approval is economic returns for the province of Nova Scotia. Historically, Nova Scotians have seen few jobs offshore, and after 17 years of industry activity, royalties have amounted to less than a year’s income from fishery. According to expert Dr. Robert Bea (an engineer that investigated the Space Shuttle Columbia, Exxon Valdez, and Deepwater Horizon disasters), BP “significantly underestimated” the likelihood of an uncontrolled blowout. BP has a spill modelling which predicts a 50% chance of: within 3 days of a blowout-shoreline oiling of Sable Island; within 4 days- spread to marine protected areas, home to North Atlantic right whale and 15 other species; within 6 days -reach key spawning and fishing grounds. Chester Municipality’s economy depends to a large degree on fishing. The direct contribution of the fishery to the province’s GDP in 2017 was close to $2 billion. For every dollar of this direct income, the fishery generates at least another $2-3 of secondary economic activity. Provincially,tourism revenue for 2016 was an estimated $2.6 billion. Again, our local economy very much depends on tourism. I’m sure you’ll agree that our pristine beaches and sailing waters are worthy of protection. And then there is the very real crisis of climate change. 100 fossil fuel companies have been the source of 71% of greenhouse gases. I personally do not have a waterfront property. However there are many landowners and tax payers that will see their investments endangered by rising sea levels. I am encouraged by some local governments, like the town of Shelburne, Municipality of Shelburne, Municipality of Barrington and Municipality of Lunenburg, having already passed motions expressing concerns over the risks of offshore drilling. I strongly believe that a full independent inquiry is required about the benefits and risks of offshore drilling. Please have the foresight to think of our municipality’s long-term future. We can influence these decisions, and we should. 2 Sincerely, Connie Duchene 1 Pam Myra From:Dawn Harwood-Jones Sent:Wednesday, January 30, 2019 3:03 PM To:Council Subject:Letter to the Council regarding BP disastrous record. Attachments:Dear Council.docx Please add my personal letter to the others supporting serious investigation into the risks of drilling off Nova Scotia's shores prior to the Council of Canadians' presentation. I believe this should concern all councillors - not just those on the coastline. Around the Gulf of Mexico the disaster was felt far inshore. The repercussions will be felt for decades if not centuries. My letter is attached but also pasted below so that councillors can click on the link to just one of thousands of stories about the disastrous effects an oil blowout can have on the livelihood of so many people hundreds of miles away from the disaster. Dear Council. There are so many things wrong with allowing oil exploration off Nova Scotia’s shores (let alone full drilling). The first concern is the fact that in the (likely) event of a blowout, it will take two weeks or more to bring a capping stack to our shores. This is unconscionable. The only reason not to have one in the area is money – not money the tax payers are saving, but money BP is saving for its shareholders – shareholders who live all over the world and are not terribly concerned about our tiny province. Make no mistake. BP lies. They said there would be little or no danger to drill in the Gulf of Mexico just weeks before one of the worst environmental disasters ever. They said they had safety backups for any event. They are saying the same thing now and have not made any significant changes to their safety practices. The other big lie is how much money Nova Scotians will reap from this industry. Yes there will be some dollars flowing into the provincial coffers but once the disaster occurs, they are gone as is the fishery and much of our tourism revenue. BP is now saying they have cleaned up the oil spill in the Gulf. They have not. They have used a toxic dispersant so that we cannot see the oil. The sea is poisoned. This is not exaggeration – please read the article published by a very credible source: The Gulf of Mexico is Dying A Special Report on the BP Gulf Oil Spill 2 By Dr. Tom Termotto https://gosrc.wordpress.com/2011/01/10/the-gulf-of-mexico-is-dying/ Yes there may NOT be a disaster. But can we take that chance on a company with such a poor record – a company that tries to tell us that the Gulf of Mexico is fine? Oil drilling off Nova Scotia is not worth the risk. Respectfully, Dawn Harwood-Jones Chester, NS-- ======================= Dawn Harwood-Jones 1 Pam Myra From:MARTHA SCOTT Sent:Wednesday, January 30, 2019 3:27 PM To:Council Subject:Oil and Gas Exploration Dear Members of Chester Council, Like you I have been following the media and discussion about proposed drilling of the deep oil and gas exploration wells in the oceans off Nova Scotia by BP (British Petroleum). I am writing to urge you to join other South Shore Municipalities in banning this high risk activity off shore in the pristine waters of Mahone Bay. Communities like ours are dependent on the tourism and fishery industries and even a minor catastrophe could have far reaching effects on our residents and their families. The risks are unmistakable and the rewards in terms of job creation are minimal. I hope you will join the neighbouring municipalities and the Council of Canadians in protecting out greatest assets - the oceans at our doors. Thank you for your good work on our behalf. Martha Scott Chester Basin 30 January 2019 To the Council of the Municipality of Chester: I have very serious concerns about the off shore exploration and by BP (British Petroleum). As you will know, two of the Chester Municipality’s economic big drivers are fishing and tourism. Both of these sectors would be greatly threatened by an oil spill. In fact, as in the Gulf of Mexico, they would be decimated. They say there are economic returns for the province. But historically, Nova Scotians have seen few jobs offshore, and after 17 years of industry activity, royalties have amounted to less than a year’s income from the fishery. BP has big dollars behind misleading the public. They say it is safe to drill. They said the same ting before the massive blowout in the Gulf of Mexico. In fact, they have already spilled drilling mud. This sounds benign but drilling mud is toxic. I strongly believe that a full independent inquiry is required about the benefits and risks of offshore drilling. Please think of our municipality’s long-term future. We can influence these decisions, and we should. Sincerely, Jane Moody Canaan, NS To the Municipal Council of Chester I am writing to you encouraging the Council to pass a motion expressing concerns over the risks of offshore drilling. I feel that the Municipality should follow the example of other municipalities along the South Shore and officially state its opposition/concerns. I realize that it’s merely a symbolic gesture but will show the progressive stance of the council. This type of exploration threatens our tourist and fishing industries which both, at present, provide direct benefits to our community. As the sign in our yard says, “Its not worth the risk.” Finally, as a parent I’m very concerned about our rapidly changing climate and environment degradation. I cannot foresee that allowing BP or any other oil company access to dr ill for oil will improve this dire situation.Therefore, I urge you to pass a motion stating the concerns of our community surrounding this issue. Thank you for your consideration Yours sincerely, Andrew Breen East Chester To the Council of the Municipality of Chester: I am writing to express my grave concerns with the approved drilling of the deep oil and gas exploration wells in the oceans off Nova Scotia by BP (British Petroleum). The driving force for this approval is economic returns for the province of Nova Scotia.But historically, Nova Scotians have seen few jobs offshore, and after 17 years of industry activity, royalties have amounted to less than a year’s income from fishery. According to expert Dr. Robert Bea (an engineer that investigated the Space Shuttle Columbia, Exxon Valdez, and Deepwater Horizon disasters), BP “significantly underestimated” the likelihood of an uncontrolled blowout. Which underscores the fact that the location of necessary well capping equipment should be readily available. Not several WEEKS away. Chester Municipality’s economy depends to a large degree on fishing and tourism. Both of these sectors would be greatly threatened by an oil spill. I am encouraged by some local governments, like the town of Shelburne, Municipality of Shelburne, Municipality of Barrington and Municipality of Lunenburg,having already passed motions expressing concerns over the risks of offshore drilling. I strongly believe that a full independent inquiry is required about the benefits and risks of offshore drilling. Please have the foresight to think of our municipality’s long-term future. We can influence these decisions, and we should. Sincerely, .Judy Parsons, Chester Additional information to support our concerns: In the Hearings of 1986,a Texaco official acknowledged the fact of a well blowout in waters off Sable Island. (I was working as a Weather Observer on that rig when it happened)but he stated clearly that that could not happen again. Since that time the very destructive blowout mentioned previously has happened as well as a recent incident off Newfoundland and Labrador.Blowouts of exploratory and production wells are not an insignificant occurrence and are not as unusual as the petroleum companies would have the public believe. In the early 1980s an Environmental study was done for the proposed exploration and drilling on and in the area of Georges Bank. Unfortunately ,the study only commented “that the development of these proposed wells posed no significant danger to the geological structures in the area”. No mention was made of damage involving marine life,fishing habitat,spawning areas and nursery areas which abound in this area.Unfortunately,that allows Oil companies and perhaps politicians to focus only on the favorable portion of the environmental study. Damage to any significant percentage of the fishery would impact income of fishermen and the long-term viability fish stock. Permission given by either Canadian or American governments for exploration and or drilling in these waters makes it much easier for permission to be granted by the other government. A fact that is obvious to oil companies. Although these issues were concerns of some years ago the ocean, fish stocks and oil companies are still the same,so the same issues remain a priority.Damage would last much longer than any time span mentioned here. For further detailed information on development sites go to: http://www.cnsopb.ns.ca/landmamagement/maps-and-coordinates Judy Parsons, Chester RE QUEST FOR DECISION Prepared By:Malcolm Pitman, CPA, CA, Director of Finance Date February 21, 2019 Reviewed By:Dan McDougall, CAO Date February 22, 2019 Authorized By:Dan McDougall, CAO Date February 22, 2019 CURRENT SITUATION The budgeting process is underway,but it will not be completed by April 1st. The 2018-19 budget was approved on May 10, 2018 and we are behind that schedule for 2019 -20. Certain capital projects are adversely affected by having their start date delayed until the full budget is approved. RECOMMENDATION Recommend that pre-budget approval be given for the following 2019-20 capital project. Name Description Amount Reason for pre-approval Funding Ortho Photography –used for Asset Management, Landfill Cell Management, Erosion Characteristics, Urban and Municipal Planning, Tax Base Correction, Government4 Mapping, Watershed Mapping. Aerial photograph geometrically corrected of the Municipality of Chester 100,000 This project was originally budgeted in 2018/19. We need to bring this project forward to 2019/20 (the best time of year to capture this imagery is early spring when we have very little leaf coverage). Gas Tax Reserve BACKGROUND Council has normally given pre-budget approval to specific capital projects that benefit from an early approval to allow a head start on the project. Last year capital projects given pre -budget approval were discussed at Committee of the Whole on February 15, 2018 and approved by Council on February 22, 2018. DISCUSSION Any capital projects given pre-budget approval will allow staff the opportunity to either start planning for the 2019/20 expenditure in the last couple of months 2018/19 by securing firms/contracto rs to do the work or continue working on 2018/19 projects that are not yet completed. A second list requesting pre-budget approval will be circulated to Council in March, however this project is more time sensitive. REPORT TO:Council SUBMITTED BY:Finance Department DATE:February 28,2019 SUBJECT:Pre-budget Capital Project Approval ORIGIN:2019-20 Budget 2 Request For Decision IMPLICATIONS Policy –n/a Financial/Budgetary Any capital project given pre-budget approval will be considered as a commitment by Council to do the project in 2019-20. Environmental –n/a Strategic Plan –n/a Work Program Implications Staff will start planning for the 2019/20 expenditure in the last couple of months 2018/19 by securing firms/contractors to do the work OPTIONS1.Approve the pre-budget approval list as presented.2.Approve the pre-budget approval list with amendments.3.Do not approve. ATTACHMENTS COMMUNICATIONS (INTE RNAL/EXTERNAL) Internal –n/a External-n/a