The regular meeting of the Miramichi River Valley Council met in the Council Chambers at 18:00hrs, December 3, 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.

GUESTS: Joyce Driscoll and two colleagues gave a presentation on the Project Lifesaver Program.  Their mission is to provide timely responses to save lives and reduce potential injury to adults and children who may wander due to a cognitive condition.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA                 

It was moved by Councillor Gillespie & 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 S. Vickers, seconded by Councillor Brennan to adopt the minutes, as circulated, of the Regular Council meeting November 5, 2024.  MOTION CARRIED

It was moved by Councillor S. Vickers, seconded by Councillor Gillespie to adopt the minutes, as circulated, of the Special Council meeting November 19, 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 Sheasgreen, seconded by Councillor S. Vickers that the bills in the amount of $18,592.93 for the month of November be paid. MOTION CARRIED

COMMITTEEREPORTS: REPORTS ARE ATTACHED

BY-LAWS: Councillor M. Vickers had nothing to report.

FIRE DEPARTMENT: Councillor Sheasgreen reported that we are waiting on a quote for a trailer for Sunny Corner fire department.  Training was held last week in Renous and more training will be held.  Dwain Hallihan is the Director of Fire Services and will be overseeing all three departments.

RCMP: Councillor Sheasgreen reported that quotes are being done to have the floor replaced at the RCMP station in Sunny Corner.

EMO:  Mayor Russell reported that with the recent power outages that lasted up to 3 days in some areas was an indication that we need to be more prepared for these events.  A meeting will be scheduled with the three fire departments to discuss.

ANIMAL CONTROL:  Councillor Sheasgreen reported that he will meet with Tony Leblanc to discuss the new animal control contract.

MEDIA:  Councillor Morgan Vickers had nothing to report.

RECREATION: Councillor Brennan reported that no meetings have been held.

AMBULANCE NB:  Councillor Gillespie reported that a meeting will be held on December 10 with ANB to discuss changes coming to Blackville.

TOURISM:  Councillor Sheasgreen had nothing to report.

CANADA DAY:  Councillor Brennan had nothing to report.

WELLNESS:  Councillor Brennan reported that a meeting was held with Vanessa Green who works for the Canadian Mental Health Association of New Brunswick.  She discussed the opportunities and programs available to our community.  Another meeting will be held in January.  Vanessa will be joining the wellness group.

BEAUTIFICATION: Councillor Sharon Vickers reported that the Christmas wreaths are up and they look beautiful. 

ENVIRONMENTAL:  Councillor Sheasgreen reported that he met with Delway on November 27^th at the dumpsite in Strathadam, checked out the whole site and some major improvements were completed since the last visit, weight scales are in place and some trees are cleared, overall site looks very clean. Will be visiting the site again before spring.

PARK: Councillor Brennan had nothing to report.

UNSIGHTLY PREMISES: Councillor Gillespie would like to move ahead with the cleanup of 3 Oxford Lane.  This will be discussed under new business.

FINANCE: Mayor Russell reported that the treasurer, Jennifer McLaughlin is to present a monthly financial report. 

BUILDINGS: Councillor Sharon Vickers reported that she is waiting on two quotes to come in to have flooring replaced at the RCMP station in Sunny Corner.

WASTEWATER SYSTEM: Councillor Sharon Vickers reported that there are no issues with the lagoon and regular testing is being done.

PUBLIC WORKS: Mayor Russell reported that he received complaints regarding the roads not being plowed well during the last storm.  He reached out to Department of Transportation, and they agreed that they need to do better. 

Pylons have been placed by 163 Main Street due to the storm drain issue.  Mayor Russell spoke to the homeowner and informed them that funds have been added to next year’s budget to repair the storm drain issues.

Mayor Russell will reach out to Department of Transportation to request the bridge be shovelled in Blackville as it is used by many pedestrians.

Regional Service Commission: Mayor Russell reported that he attended the following:

• Nov 6 – GMSC Budget Meeting.
• Nov 18 – GMSC Community Dev Meeting. 
• Nov 19 – PRAC Meeting.
• Nov 26 – GMSC Meeting with Mayor O’Donnell, Roberta, Shawn and Justin.
• Nov28 – GMSC Eco/ Dev Meeting.
• Nov 29 – Mayor’s and CEO 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. 

• Nov 2 – Remembrance Day Service at Bridgeview Plaza.
• Nov 5 – MRV Council Meeting.
• Nov 11 – Tuadook Lodge supper.
• Nov 14 – Millerton School, Spoke to Students.
• Nov 14, 7, 16 – MRV Office.
• Nov 19 – CBDC Meeting. 
• Nov 19 – 21 – Housing together 2024.
• Nov 19 – MRV Budget meeting.
• Nov 22 – 24 – NB Fire Convention 2024.
• Nov 25 – SCFD meeting.
• Nov 26 – MRV budget meeting.
• Nov 27 – Atlantic Intuition Meeting.
• Nov 28 – MRV Christmas Supper

NEW BUSINESS:

(10.1) Tractor

Moved by Councillor Morgan Vickers, seconded by Councillor Sheasgreen to approve the purchase of a 2025 TYM Tractor from LJ Patterson Sales at a cost of $59,276.00 Plus HST. MOTION CARRIED.

(10.2) Insurance

Moved by Councillor Brennan, seconded by Councillor S. Vickers to accept the quote from Intact Insurance for 2025. MOTION CARRIED.

(10.3) Bylaw Enforcement Officer

Moved by Councillor M. Vickers, seconded by Councillor Brennan that:

WHEREAS in accordance with Section 72 of the Local Governance Act, SNB 2017, c 18, Council may appoint By-Law Enforcement Officers for the Local Government and determine their mandates.

BE IT RESOLVED that the following persons be individually appointed as a By-Law Enforcement Officer for the Local Government:

1)   Kylan SHERRARD.

2)   Derrick Gibson

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the By-Law Enforcement Officer (Officer) is employed for the preservation and maintenance of public peace.

AND THAT the duties, powers, authorities, and immunities of the Officer are as follows:

1. The Officer has the powers as defined by Section 14(3) of the Police Act, SNB 1977, c P-9.2.

• The Officer has the duty to enforce all the By-Laws of the Local Government.

• The Officer has the lawful authority to investigate violations, perform inspections, enter lands, buildings, and other structures, issue tickets, lay information, serve documents, issue demands, orders and perform all other duties and tasks, in accordance with all the applicable Sections and Regulations of the Local Governance Act, SNB 2017, c 18 and as established by By-Law.

• The Officer is authorized to exercise discretion in the course of their duties.

• The Officer is an officer acting under the law and is protected in accordance with the Protection of Persons Acting Under Statute Act, RSNB 2011, c 210.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the above-mentioned appointments continue as long as the Officer is employed or retained by the Local Government.  MOTION CARRIED.

(10.4) Animal Control Tender

Moved by Councillor Sheasgreen, seconded by Councillor S. Vickers to accept the tender from Tony LeBlanc for animal control services for the Miramichi River Valley for the period from February 1, 2025 to January 31, 2026. MOTION CARRIED.

(10.5) Fire Costs To City of Miramichi

Moved by Councillor Brennan, seconded by Councillor Sheasgreen that the City of Miramichi will be charged $60/hr for fire chief, $50/hr for fire fighters and $360/hr for equipment usage, for fire services provided to them by the Miramichi River Valley. MOTION CARRIED.

(10.6) Unsightly Properties

Moved by Councillor Brennan, seconded by Councillor Sheasgreen to proceed with the process in having 3 Oxford Lane in South Esk clean up.  MOTION CARRIED.

(10.7) Lease Agreement with Snow Goers

A meeting will be held next week with members of the Snow Goers to discuss a lease agreement as they are using the old fire hall in Renous for storage of groomers.

(10.8) Property on Campbell Road

The province owns the property located on the Campbell Road; therefore, we have no authority to sell.

(10.9) Wellness Checks

A discussion was held on the recent power outages that lasted for up to three days in some areas.  Council agreed that a meeting needs to be held with all 3 fire departments and a policy be implemented on how proceed during these times to make sure people are safe and that we are better prepared for the next event.  A meeting will be scheduled.

(10.10) Lettering on Municipal Building

Moved by Councillor M. Vickers, seconded by Councillor S. Vickers to accept the quote from CTL Signs in the amount of $1443 plus HST to have lettering added to the front of the municipal building.  MOTION CARRIED.

Moved by Councillor M. Vickers to adjourn the meeting at 20:45.