The regular meeting of the Miramichi River Valley Council met in the Council Chambers at 18:00hrs July 4,2023 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: Dewey Somers was present to discuss the maintenance of the wastewater infrastructure and wastewater equipment located at at the South Esk Miramichi Victory Living Inc.  Councillor M. Vickers is going to review the agreement.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA                 

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

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

No conflicts of interest declared.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

It was moved by Councillor M. Vickers, seconded by Councillor Sheasgreen to adopt the minutes, as circulated, of the Regular Council meeting June 13, 2023.  MOTION CARRIED

It was moved by Councillor M. Vickers, seconded by Councillor Sheasgreen to adopt the minutes, as circulated, of the Regular Council meeting June 20, 2023.  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 S. Vickers, seconded by Councillor Dwain Hallihan that the bills in the amount of $ 49,714.48 be paid. MOTION CARRIED.

COMMITTEE REPORTS: REPORTS ARE ATTACHED

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

FIRE DEPARTMENT: Councillor Hallihan reported that they had 1 class of the Auto X and the last two classes were cancelled.  Councillor Hallihan reported that the generator is up and running.

RCMP: Councillor Sheasgreen had nothing to report.  Mike Jardine has a quote to repair water pressure within the building, he is looking to have it approved.

EMO: 

ANIMAL CONTROL:  Councillor Sheasgreen said no new issues to report.

STREET LIGHTING: Councillor Gillespie reported no more on Parker Road lights. Discussion on Boom Rd was concluded that we would decide to not put streetlights on subdivision entries.

LEISURE SERVICES: Councillor Morgan Vickers had nothing to report.

RECREATION: Councillor Brennan reported that an election of officers was held on June 26.  Allan Furlong is president, Daniel Richard is vice president, Jennifer Mclaughlin is treasurer and Tina Hayes is secretary.

AMBULANCE NB:  Councillor Gillespie reported that ambulances will be short staffed over the summer months.

TOURISM:  Councillor Sheasgreen no new issues to report, “rain most of the days I was available to start visiting tourist destinations in the past few weeks, in the coming month I will be visiting the tubing places, some restaurants and some fishing lodges to get things into the spotlight for Miramichi River Valley”.

CANADA DAY:  Councillor Brennan reported that everything went well, and the fireworks display was awesome.  A lot of good and positive feedback.

BEAUTIFICATION: Councillor Sharon Vickers had nothing to report. “We do have money left and if we need to buy flowers or maybe perennial shrubs would be better and more cost and energy efficient.  We could buy them from that budget and even though I’m not a good gardener I will definitely try to make it look attractive.”

PARK: Councillor Brennan reported that the workers are continuing to keep up with the mowing and maintenance despite of the poor weather.

UNSIGHTLY PREMISES: Councillor Darlene Gillespie said resident approached her about their concerns of a vacant house on Station Street. “Young children were found playing in the basement and teens are seen there at night.  Door was wide open. Contacted owner and he will be up this week to secure house. Another resident on Cripp Street had a complaint about a piece of land. He will drop off his complaint in writing I told him Tina would pass it on to board”.

FINANCE: Mayor Russell had nothing to report.

BUILDINGS: Councillor Sharon Vickers reported that tourism building is making progress, hopefully it will be completed soon.

SEWER: Councillor Sharon Vickers reported all levels at the lagoon are ok.  “Dana and I met with Jeremy Doucette from the province and Annick Savoie and Charles Richard from the department of environment on June 27.  We needed the paperwork, approval to operate, and we need operators’ licence to monitor lagoon facility properly.  They will email us with everything they want us to do to comply within a few weeks. They took several samples with them to check carbonaceous biochemical oxygen demand (CBOD) and suspended solids (SS), unionized ammonia (NH3) and toxicity.  They want this done quarterly and it hasn’t been done since 2016. We will have to get the supplies needed and send these to Fredericton as required. But they were impressed with the condition of the facility, and upkeep.”

PUBLIC WORKS:

Regional Service Commission: Mayor Russell reported he attended GMRSC Solid Waste meeting on June 15, GMRSC Tourism Meeting on June 21, PRAK meeting on June 22, GMRSC Economic Development Meeting on June 22 and GMRSC Regular Monthly meeting on June 28.

Publicity & Promotion: 

All promotional postings are on social media.

NEW BUSINESS:

(10.1) Animal Control

Council decided to contract with the SPCA to do the Village of Blackville.

(10.2) Purchases at Home Hardware

Moved by Councillor Sheasgreen and seconded by Councillor Brennan to use a purchase order number for any purchases over $100. MOTION CARRIED.

(10.3) Street Lights

No more on Parker Road lights. Discussion on Boom Rd was concluded that we would decide to not put streetlights on subdivision entries.

(10.4) Youth Program

Moved by Councillor M. Vickers and seconded by Councillor S. Vickers the approve the use of the community centre for the youth program providing space is available.  MOTION CARRIED.

(10.5) Garbage

A discussion was held on the garbage for the entire Miramichi River Valley.  Our next budget we will discuss if we want to include all areas of Miramichi River Valley.

(10.6) Portfolio Solutions

A discussion was talked about and Mayor Russell wants all council to read over and send in any of there input. 

(10.7) Tenders

Council decided that there should be 3 tenders for any jobs that are over $5000. These should be sealed, a minimum of 3 and posted on website.  Maximum 30 days to send in and that lowest bid is not always the one that gets it.  All specs have to be met.

Moved by Councillor A. Brennan to adjourn the meeting at 20:30 hours.