The regular meeting of the Miramichi River Valley Council met in the Council Chambers at 18:00hrs April 12, 2023 with Deputy Mayor Vickers presiding.

BRING MEETING TO ORDER:

The Deputy Mayor brought the meeting to order and welcomed everyone to the meeting. 

GUESTS:

Patricia Gallan gave an update to council on the community garden project she is working on.  She is requesting a letter from council asking for the use of the property behind the community centre for the garden.

Kassia Regnier with Food Cycle Science Corporation gave a presentation to council on food waste diversion solutions.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA                 

It was moved by Councillor Hallihan & seconded by Councillor Brennan to approve agenda as circulated. MOTION CARRIED.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

It was moved by Councillor Hallihan, seconded by Councillor Brennan to adopt the minutes, as circulated, of the Regular Council meeting March 8, 2023.  MOTION CARRIED

It was moved by Councillor Hallihan, seconded by Councillor Brennan to adopt the minutes, as circulated, of the Special Council meeting March 29, 2023.  MOTION CARRIED

BUSINESS ARISING FROM MINUTES

NIL

ATTENDANCE

Councillor Jeffrey Sheasgreen and Mayor Russel were absent.

CORRESPONDENCE

Council has received all correspondence either through email or hard copy in their mail boxes.

BILLS & ACCOUNTS

Moved by Councillor Hallihan second by Councillor Brennan that the bills in the amount of $19,527.73 be paid. MOTION CARRIED.

COMMITTEE REPORTS: ALL REPORTS ARE ATTACHED

BY-LAWS: First and second reading of the updated procedural bylaw will take place in new business.

Deputy Mayor Vickers reported that she had an inquiry on the planning bylaw.  She contacted the Regional Service Commission on the inquiry and they and informed her that the person would need to subdivide the property in order to build a second building on the property.

FIRE DEPARTMENT: Councillor Hallihan reported that bunker suits will be purchased from Safety Source. 

A forest fire fighting course will be scheduled through DNR for the three depts. 

Level one course for new fire fighters will soon be scheduled.  Election of officers meeting April 3 for the MVFFA. New president is Darren Hambrook, vice president Hayden Silliker, and new are training coordinator Corey Shaddick.

Mayor Russell and Councillor Hallihan met the RQFD on April 4.  They plan to meet with Sunny Corner FD soon.

Mike Lewis, O.F.M. informed Councillor Hallihan that they have tweaked the FS2025 presentation to a new course – Fire Service 101.  Both courses will be ready by the end of the month.

NBAFC Spring conference will be May 26-27 for chiefs and delicates.

Renous/Quarryville fire dept will be having a breakfast this Saturday with the proceeds going to muscular dystrophy.

Chief Sturgeon gave fire report for Blackville for the month of March 2023.  Total manpower available (20), Call responded to within village during month (1), call outside village (3), training session held (4); New equipment: new hoses for pressure washer; Equipment Not in Service: pressure washer due to busted hose.

RCMP: Councillor Sheasgreen reported that he filled out a survey from the RCMP asking what they should focus on throughout the year.  Councillor Sheasgreen stated that the main focus in our area would be drugs and theft.

EMO:  Presentation from John Glidden with EMO discussing the powers council has during an emergency and how to proceed.

DOG CONTROL: Councillor Sheasgreen reported that he spoke with the animal control officer for Miramichi about applying for the position that we are hoping to fill.  He was going to confirm if he was able to put his name forward for the position.

STREET LIGHTING: Councillor Gillespie reported that she has been approached about adding streetlights to the end of the Parker Road.  This is believed to be the Department of Transportation’s duty.  Contact will be made to discuss.

LEISURE SERVICES: Councillor Morgan Vickers reported that she was contacted to see if she had any comments on the eclipse that will take place in our area next April.  She had comments to make on the issue.

RECREATION: Councillor Brennan reported that there is a meeting in Sunny Corner on April 17.  Carla O’Toole is requesting information on funding opportunities for a tennis court. 

The Renous recreation centre is hosting the firemen’s appreciation night on May 6.

Wellness Committee purchased basketballs and tennis rackets to be signed out if kids to use them.  The chef program has started for 6 weeks with 25 kids.

There is a schedule being set up for entertainment in the park on Thursday evenings this summer.

Blackville Day’s dance is set for August 5.

AMBULANCE NB:  Councillor Gillespie had nothing to report.

TOURISM:  Councillor Sheasgreen reported he had a meeting with Krista Chase about how she can help us out with tourism funding.  Councillor Sheasgreen spoke to the president of the snowmobile federation Bobby Norton who is proposing a new trail to the province that would connect our area better.  Once more details are provided it will be brought to council.

Another tourism meeting will be held before the May council meeting.

CANADA DAY:  Councillor Brennan reported that plans for Canada Day are well underway.  We received a $5000 grant from Canadian Heritage for Canada Day.

BEAUTIFICATION: Councillor Sharon Vickers had nothing to report.

PARK: Councillor Brennan reported that park workers will return to work anytime after May 8.  The park has been plowed to allow access to the boat launch.

UNSIGHTLY PREMISES: Councillor Darlene Gillespie reported that she and Councillor Sharon Vickers left a message for a property owner on his plans for the property.  No call was returned to either councillor regarding the issue. 

FINANCE: Mayor Russell reported that he is hoping to have more clarification on the budget.

BUILDINGS: Councillor Sharon Vickers reported that she contacted  two contractors requesting they look at the ice build up issues on the community centre building. 

Eighteen pot lights have been received from Eddy’s for the tourism building and are now installed.  We are also receiving a donation from Eko for black exterior fixtures. 

Councillor Vickers suggested a security camera be installed in the municipal office to record volatile constituents.

SEWER: Councillor Sharon Vickers reported that she spoke with Dana Hogan regarding the wastewater system and all is normal.  The road to the lagoon is being plowed regularly.

PUBLIC WORKS: Councillor Hallihan reported that a meeting with held with himself, Mayor Russell, CAO Tina Hayes, MLA Mike Dawson, and DTI over the road issues within MRV.  Focus on intersections at route 415, lighting at Parker Road intersection, and cross walk signage at Sunny Corner Irving.

Regional Service Commission: Mayor Russell reported a regional strategy session was held March 14 by zoom. 

GMRSC monthly meeting was held March 22.  The minutes from the previous month’s meeting have been send out to members of council.

March 28 there was a GMRSC tourism meeting.  Minutes will be forwarded as they are received.

March 29 GMRSC economic development and labour meeting.

April 3 GMRSC meeting with the RCMP.

Publicity & Promotion:  Mayor Russell reported that all promotional postings are on our social media. He had a few conversations with the media concerning ongoing tasks.

NEW BUSINESS:

(9.1) Community Garden

Moved by Councillor Brennan, seconded by Councillor Gillespie to approve the usage of our property located behind the community centre as a location for the public garden to be overseen by Patricia Gallan.  MOTION CARRIED.

(9.2) Working NB Room Usage

Discussion was held on the request from Working NB to use a meeting room to provide a 12 week life skills program.  Clerk will make contact with her for further details.

(9.3)  Street Light

A discussion was held on the need for a street-light at the intersection on the Parker Road.  Councillor Gillespie will contact DTI to see who is responsible for the costs as it is a safety issue.

(9.5) Bylaw #5 Procedural Bylaw

FIRST READING

Moved by Councillor Hallihan, seconded by Councillor Brennan to approve Bylaw #5. MOTION CARRIED

SECOND READING

Moved by Councillor Brennan, seconded by Councillor Hallihan to approve Bylaw #5.  MOTION CARRIED.

Moved by Councillor Brennan to adjourn the meeting at 19:20 hours.