Council Minutes
Regular Council Meeting, July 2, 2024
The regular meeting of the Miramichi River Valley Council met in the Council Chambers at 18:00hrs, July 2, 2024, with Mayor Russell presiding.
BRING MEETING TO ORDER:
The mayor called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone to the meeting.
COUNCIL ATTENDANCE: All in attendance. Councillor Sheasgreen attended via teams.
GUESTS: Penny Siddall, Lois Vickers, and Lorraine Underhill, directors with the thrift store brought council up to date on their sales and presented a financial report.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
It was moved by Councillor M. Vickers & seconded by Councillor S. Vickers to approve agenda as circulated. MOTION CARRIED.
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
No conflicts declared.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
It was moved by Councillor Hallihan, seconded by Councillor Brennan to adopt the minutes, as circulated, of the Regular Council meeting June 4, 2024. MOTION CARRIED
BUSINESS ARISING FROM MINUTES
NIL
CORRESPONDENCE
Council has received all correspondence either through email or hard copy in their mailboxes.
BILLS & ACCOUNTS
Moved by Councillor M. Vickers, seconded by Councillor Hallihan that the bills in the amount of $33,329.94 for the month of June be paid. MOTION CARRIED
COMMITTEE REPORTS: REPORTS ARE ATTACHED
BY-LAWS: First and Second Reading of Bylaw #8 are under new business.
FIRE DEPARTMENT: Councillor Hallihan reported that the sign on the building at the fire station in Sunny Corner needs to be replaced as it is terrible condition. The wording on the fire trucks in Sunny Corner needs to be changed from Local Service District.
RCMP: Councillor Sheasgreen reported:
I have reached out to the RCMP about supporting the Sunny Corner Days parade and they have replied if they have an officer available, they will help and attend the parade on July 11th in the evening.
I have reached out to the RCMP office to see if they can schedule another Radon test for the office in Sunny Corner to determine if the air purifier is doing what we expected it to do.
EMO: Councillor Hallihan had nothing to report.
ANIMAL CONTROL: Councillor Sheasgreen reported that:
I have met with the gentleman who had the issue with the animal control officer and chatted with him about the situation, he had agreed to talk with Tony if he was to stop by with me and discuss the path forward, I have reached out to Tony and discussed the situation with him and had two different appointments set up to meet and he had cancelled them, I will discuss again and try to get the issue resolved.
There have been multiple emails sent out to NBSPCA asking for a report on an issue that a resident reported to them in the Sunny Corner area to see if it has been dealt with, they have emailed back that they have talked to the folks of concern and will monitor the situation.
With the contracts coming due for Animal Control in Jan 2025 we should start looking at all our options and costs expected for new contracts for MRV.
MEDIA: Councillor Morgan Vickers had nothing to report.
RECREATION: Councillor Brennan reported that the new sign at the ballpark in Blackville looks awesome. Thanks to Allan, Jennifer and Wayne for installing. There is a slow pitch tournament in Blackville July 27-28.
Sunny Corner days parade is July 11.
AMBULANCE NB: Councillor Gillespie reported that ambulance service and coverage continues to be an issue.
TOURISM: Councillor Sheasgreen reported:
Grand Opening for the MRV Tourism building was held, good turn out of folks checking the place out and kids having fun, successful day and thanks to all who helped in any way.
The guys working on the Tourism building have quit due to not understanding the pay structure for the remainder of the project. A council meeting was held to discuss the issues and Council have agreed upon moving forward with paying them what is owed the way the pay structure was relayed to them before that part of the project was completed. We have now looked at getting our Park Employees to finish the shed and have reached out to Vye Construction about paving the wheelchair ramp to the back of the building.
There is a Tourism Committee Meeting scheduled for July 10th at 6:30pm at the Sunny Corner Firehall, this will be to hopefully gain some new people with tourism interests to join as well I have reached out to Shawn McCarthy about doing something with us for the Dungarvon Whooper story, he has agreed to help us out and will attend the meeting to get our vision on how we would like to see that go, I have also reached out to Krista Chase to see if any funding available to help us with this endeavor.
I have been out with Les our photographer taking him around getting some pictures of MRV with some drone shots of the river and other places near the Sunny Corner area, I will be out with him again within the next two weeks to visit and take pictures of South Esk, Derby, Quarryville and Renous areas for our social media and website to promote our area and show what we have to offer.
The wooden blocks that were showing in the river near the Red Bank Bridge were marked by DNR after reaching out to different resources and finding the proper channel to get this done. It will help with new boaters on the river to clearly see the danger spots on that part of the river.
CANADA DAY: Councillor Brennan reported that Canada Day events had a great turnout, great weather and went over well. We need to increase budget amount for next year’s fireworks.
WELLNESS: Councillor Brennan reported she attended a meeting on June 19. Community Food Security Coordinator is interested in working with the group to reach seniors, the school and the community garden group. He can help with grants for chefs’ program, etc.
Invitations to police, school, medical, seniors, fire departments, etc. will be sent out for the September meeting.
BEAUTIFICATION: Councillor Sharon Vickers reported that she received many comments on how beautiful the park looks. Flags are up for Canada Day.
ENVIRONMENTAL: Councillor Sheasgreen had nothing to report.
PARK: Councillor Brennan reported that night markets have started, July 3 will be the next market. We have a quote on having the parking lot paved, will be discussed under new business.
UNSIGHTLY PREMISES: Councillor Gillespie reported that she is working with the owner of a property in Maple Glen.
FINANCE: Mayor Russell reported that the treasurer, Jennifer McLaughlin is to present a monthly financial report.
BUILDINGS: Councillor Sharon Vickers reported that she has the fascia and siding for the Blackville rink. Will request a quote to have the walkway in front of the community centre paved.
WASTEWATER SYSTEM: Councillor Sharon Vickers reported there are no issues with the wastewater system.
PUBLIC WORKS: Councillor Hallihan reported that road work will take place on Route 8.
Regional Service Commission: Mayor Russell reported that he attended the following:
June 18, PRAC Meeting.
June 27, RSC Eco/ Dev Meeting.
All Agendas and minutes are forwarded to Council as they are received.
Publicity & Promotion: Mayor Russell reported that all promotional postings are on social media or sent out by email.
He attended the following events during the month.
June 3, Meeting with Ron Gaudet Local Government.
June 3, Meeting with Wayne and Tina (Park).
June 4, MRV Council Meeting.
June 10, Housing meeting with C. Price Const.
June 11, MRV Tourism website meeting.
June 12, Provincial Trail Head Inspection Tour.
June 12, GMCC / AGM.
June 16, MRV Tourism Grand opening.
June 18, Meeting with Vye Const at Brook Curtise Property.
June 18, Round Tabel meeting with Priemer Higgs.
June 19, MRV Housing Meeting.
June 19, Victory Housing Meeting.
June 20, GMRSC Labour Fourm meeting.
June 24, Meeting with City Mayor Lordon on Fire services.
June 25, MRV Special meeting.
June 26, Meeting with Vye Const at Tourism and Park.
June 28, Thomas Dunn Opening Ceremonies.
June 29, SCFD Breakfast.
NEW BUSINESS:
(10.1) Vye Construction Paving Quotes
Moved by Councillor Hallihan, seconded by Councillor Brennan to approve the quote from Vye’s Construction in the amount of $22,100 plus HST to pave the parking lot in the municipal park. MOTION CARRIED.
Moved by Councillor Sheasgreen, seconded by Councillor M. Vickers to approve the quote from Vye’s Construction in the amount of $3500 plus HST to create a 65X9 walkway to concrete patio at the visitor centre. MOTION CARRIED.
(10.2) UMNB Conference Registration
A discussion was held on who will be attending the UMNB conference in October. Registrations will be sent in.
(10.3) Garage on Cripps Street
The garage on municipal property is set to be moved.
(10.4) Lagoon Capacity
Clerk has been in contact with Crandall Engineering a division of Englobe to discuss new developments and lagoon capacity. She will continue to work with them to decide if a study needs to be done.
(10.5) Storm Drain on Main Street
Councillor Hallihan and Mayor Russell will contact Darren Matchett with the Department of Transportation to discuss options for the storm drain located near 163 Main Street.
(10.6) Mowing Ditches
Councillor Brennan and Councillor S. Vickers will make note of areas that should be mowed and get back to the clerk, budget will be reviewed to see funds available.
(10.7) Public Hearing
Moved by Councillor Brennan, seconded by Councillor Gillespie to hold a public hearing for amendments to the rural plan on August 6, 2024 at 6 pm at the municipal office. MOTION CARRIED.
(10.8) Bylaw #8 Rural Plan
FIRST READING
Moved by Councillor M. Vickers, seconded by Councillor Hallihan to approve Bylaw #8. MOTION CARRIED
SECOND READING
Moved by Councillor Gillespie, seconded by Councillor S. Vickers to approve Bylaw #8. MOTION CARRIED.
Moved by Councillor M. Vickers to adjourn the meeting at 19:40.
Council meets in regular session on the first Tuesday of each month. Meetings begin at 6:00 pm in the Council Chambers at the Miramichi River Valley Municipal Office, 12 Bartholomew Road South in Blackville and are open to the public.
If you wish to address Council, please contact the municipal office at 506-843-6337 at least 24 hours prior to the meeting.
