The regular meeting of the Miramichi River Valley Council met in the Council Chambers at 18:00hrs November 7, 2023 with Mayor Russell presiding.

BRING MEETING TO ORDER:

The mayor called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone to the meeting. 

COUNCIL ATTENDANCE

Councillor Sharon Vickers was absent.  Councillor Sheasgreen and Councillor Morgan Vickers joined via teams.

GUESTS: Albertine Leblanc made a presentation to council on the work the Greater Blackville Resource Centre is doing for our area and is requesting funds in the amount of $26,013.00 for a generator. 

APPROVAL OF AGENDA                 

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

CONFLICTS OF INTERST

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 October 3, 2023.  MOTION CARRIED

It was moved by Councillor Sheasgreen, seconded by Councillor Hallihan to adopt the minutes, as circulated, of the Special Council meeting October 17, 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 Brennan, seconded by Councillor Hallihan that the bills in the amount of $48,608.32 be paid. MOTION CARRIED.

COMMITTEEREPORTS: REPORTS ARE ATTACHED

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

FIRE DEPARTMENT: Councillor Hallihan reported that training is ongoing.  Renous hosted MVFFA meeting, had a great turnout.  A meeting will be held with fire chiefs.  We are working on a new fire truck from Metalfab. 

RCMP: Councillor Sheasgreen had nothing to report.

EMO:  Councillor Hallihan had nothing to report.

ANIMAL CONTROL:  Councillor Sheasgreen had nothing to report.

STREET LIGHTING: Councillor Gillespie reported that lights on the Parker Road and by the Enclosure need to be added.

LEISURE SERVICES: Councillor Morgan Vickers had nothing to report.

RECREATION: Councillor Brennan reported that Blackville is looking for volunteers to run the outdoor rink.  Attended a meeting in Sunny Corner on October 24.  The pickleball courts are coming along.  Will be attending a meeting in Renous in the next couple of weeks.

AMBULANCE NB:  Councillor Gillespie had nothing to report.

TOURISM:  Councillor Sheasgreen reported:

Brock and Neil have returned to working on the Tourism building and started on the wheelchair ramp, he has informed me that the next step will more than likely be the sign for near the road, he will continue to update myself and drop off quotes to the office for materials.

Great news on the Tennis Court/Pickleball court in Sunny Corner is well under way with groundwork and paving work completed, waiting on the fencing company to start and get things finished up!

CANADA DAY:  Councillor Brennan had nothing to report.

BEAUTIFICATION: Councillor Sharon Vickers had nothing to report.

PARK: Councillor Brennan reported that the park is closed for the winter.  Peter is now working out of the rink, doing daily maintenance on that building.

UNSIGHTLY PREMISES: Councillor Gillespie reported that DTI has sent a registered letter to the individual that posted signs on a DTI road sign asking for the signs to be removed.  If there is no response DTI will remove the signs.  

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

BUILDINGS: Councillor Sharon Vickers reported that leak at Blackville firehall has been repaired.  Danny Underhill will fix the damage inside to ceiling.

The ladies from the thrift store still waiting for the nonprofit number so they can startup.

Had a meeting with Mike Dawson regarding a housing unit in Renous.

WASTEWATER SYSTEM: Councillor Sharon Vickers reported that all levels at the lagoon are normal.  No issues.

PUBLIC WORKS: Councillor Hallihan reported that Ronnie Underhill completed ditching at top of Lockstead Road, but we are still having issues with water.  We will have to look at the issues again.

Regional Service Commission: Mayor Russell reported he attended a meeting on Oct 16, GMRSC community development meeting; and a meeting on Oct 25, GMRSC Board meeting.

All Agendas and minutes are forwarded to Council as they are received.

Publicity & Promotion:  Mayor Russell reported that he attended the following events during the month.

Oct 3, 5:00 pm, GMRSC Budget meeting, 6:00pm, MRV Council meeting.

Oct 5, meeting with Mike Noel, City of Miramichi, and Dwain over our fire services.

Oct 6, Meeting with Doaktown Mayor, O’Donald. 

Oct 8, Hector Fournier Day, Delano brothers, Newcastle Legion.

Oct 12, Meeting at RQFD with Dwain and Metal Fab to discuss new fire truck. 

Oct 17, CBDC Meeting.

Oct 17, MRV special council meeting.

Oct 18, NBEMO presentation.

Oct 23, Meeting with MLA Dawson, Councillor Hallihan, and Councillor Sharon Vickers with a housing developer at the RQFD.

Oct 25, CBDC Meeting.

Oct 27, MRV Office with legion president Greg Matchett, Poppy presentation.

Oct 30, multiplex sod turning, Miramichi.

Oct 30, meeting with Mayor Lordon to discuss the RSC budget.

NEW BUSINESS:

(10.1) Circular Materials

Moved by Councillor Hallihan, seconded by Councillor Gillespie to opt out and not continue managing recycling services.  MOTION CARRIED.

(10.2) Garbage Tender

Moved by Councillor Gillespie, seconded by Councillor Hallihan to award the garbage collection tender to Joe’s Garbage Pick-Up Ltd. for (2) years in the amount of $1,512,480.00 HST included.  MOTION CARRIED.

(10.3) Budget Update

Tina updated council on the budget progress.  Received RCMP costs today.  A meeting will be held on November 21 to review.       

(10.4) Fire Services With City

Tina to contact city manager to discuss costs for fire services.

(10.5) Private Signs on DTI Road Sign

A registered letter has been sent to the individual who placed a sign on a DTI road sign asking for it to be removed.  If it is not removed by the individual, DTI will remove.

(10.6) Fire Department Insurance

Council reviewed the replacement costs that were on the insurance policy.  Some adjustments will be made and forwarded to Jason Buggie for next year’s policy.

(10.7) Areas with Miramichi River Valley

Council received a new map that was provided by 911 with the outline of the areas within the Miramichi River Valley.  We would like to have one that shows exact house numbers.

(10.8) Housing

Mayor and Council will continue to meet with prospective developers to build an affordable housing complex in our area.  We would be willing to donate property to this project.

(10.9) Greater Blackville Resource Centre Generator

A discussion was held on the donation request for a generator in the amount of $26,013 from the GBRC.  Council decided that the resource centre should contact all areas that they service to pay towards the costs of the new generator. After the other areas have been contacted council will revisit the request for funding.

(10.10) Hall Rental Renous

Councillor Hallihan received a request from MLA, Mike Dawson to rent a room in the old fire hall for his office.  Council had no issues with renting the room.  Councillor Hallihan will discuss further with MLA Dawson.

Moved by Councillor M. Vickers to adjourn the meeting at 20:05.