The regular meeting of the Miramichi River Valley Council met in the Council Chambers at 18:00hrs, October 8, 2024, with Mayor Russell presiding.

BRING MEETING TO ORDER:

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

COUNCIL ATTENDANCE: Councillor Brennan and Councillor S. Vickers were absent.

GUESTS: Christopher Sturgeon came to voice concerns over Shaeffer Lane being changed to a one-way street.  He requests that it be left as is due to delivery trucks coming to Trio Pizza having issues with a one-way street.  This will be discussed further under new business.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA                 

It was moved by Councillor M. Vickers & seconded by Councillor Sheasgreen 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 Gillespie to adopt the minutes, as circulated, of the Regular Council meeting September 9, 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 M. Vickers that the bills in the amount of $46,885.72 for the month of September be paid. MOTION CARRIED

COMMITTEE REPORTS: REPORTS ARE ATTACHED

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

FIRE DEPARTMENT: Councillor Hallihan reported that this is fire prevention week.  Some of the departments will be going into he schools to educate the students on fire prevention.  There will be a breakfast held at the fire hall in Renous on Saturday, sponsored by Mike Dawson.

RCMP: Councillor Sheasgreen had nothing to report.

EMO:  Councillor Hallihan had nothing to report.

ANIMAL CONTROL:  Councillor Sheasgreen reported that the animal control officer provided his report.  There were two issues with dogs in the past month, but both should be handled by the SPCA as it is in their jurisdiction. 

MEDIA:  Councillor Morgan Vickers had nothing to report.

RECREATION: Councillor Brennan was absent.

AMBULANCE NB:  Councillor Gillespie reported that 5 new members have been hired for the Miramichi area.  Advanced Care Paramedics are now filling positions at the hospital.

TOURISM:  Councillor Sheasgreen will address changing locks at the tourism building under new business.

CANADA DAY:  Councillor Brennan was absent.

WELLNESS:  Councillor Brennan was absent.

BEAUTIFICATION: Councillor Sharon Vickers was absent.

ENVIRONMENTAL:  Councillor Sheasgreen had nothing to report.

PARK: Councillor Brennan was absent.

UNSIGHTLY PREMISES: Councillor Gillespie discussed our plans to deal with unsightly properties.  The clerk will look into the steps in dealing with these properties and how we can get reimbursed by the province.

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

BUILDINGS: Councillor Sharon Vickers was absent.

WASTEWATER SYSTEM: Councillor Sharon Vickers was absent.

PUBLIC WORKS: Councillor Hallihan reported that Vye Construction has provided quotes to fill potholes around Blackville.  This will be discussed under new business. The bridge going across the Bartholomew River will be finished this week.

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

• Sep 4, GMRSC Budget Meeting.
• Sep 18, GMRSC Mayors Breakfast Meeting. 
• Sep 18, GMRSC Board Meeting.
• Sept 19, GMRSC ECO/ Dev Meeting.
• Sep 23, GMRSC Community Development 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. 

• Aug 30, MRV office, Thomas Dunn lunch BBQ at Foodland.
• Sep 9, MRV Council meeting.
• Sep 10, Meeting with Mayor Lordon on Fire services.
• Sep 10, RSC Building Homes at Curling Club.
• Sep 11, MRV Fire services.
• Sep 12, MRV Office, Park & Tourism Building.
• Sep 14, RQFD breakfast for Ryan Jardine. 
• Sep 14, Amy Jardine benefit, Blackville Park.
• Sep 16, MRV Office, Park and Meeting with MLA Dawson.
• Sep 16, Miramichi Valley Fire Service (Mapping) Meeting. RQFD.
• Sep 19, MRV Office.
• Sep 19, UNMB Meeting with Party Leaders In Fredericton.
• Sep 21, Tuadook Lodge Pie in the face, market event.
• Sep 21, MRV Office Meeting & Debate with the Election Candidates
• Sep 27, MRV Office.

NEW BUSINESS:

(10.1) Garbage Collection

Moved by Councillor M. Vickers, seconded by Councillor Sheasgreen to continue with biweekly garbage collection for the Miramichi River Valley, except for the months of June, July, August, & September where Blackville will receive weekly collection and except for the months of July and August where the other areas in the Miramichi River Valley will receive weekly garbage collection.  MOTION CARRIED.

(10.2) Snow Removal Tenders

Moved by Councillor Hallihan, seconded by Councillor Sheasgreen to award the contract for snow removal of the Sunny Corner fire hall to Rosaleen Jardine for one year in the amount of $9,000 plus HST.  MOTION CARRIED.

(10.3) Fire Services

Moved by Councillor M. Vickers, seconded by Councillor Hallihan to send a letter to the City of Miramichi making them aware that beginning in January 2025 we will be invoicing them for fire services we provide to them.  MOTION CARRIED.

(10.4) Shaeffer Lane

A discussion was held on Shaeffer Lane.  It will remain a two-way street.

(10.5) Street Lights Barnettville

Moved by Councillor Gillespie, seconded by Councillor Hallihan to add 2 streetlights at the beginning of the Barnettville Road.  MOTIION CARRIED.

(10.6) Office Renovations

A discussion was held on creating a working area for the CAO/Clerk.  Mayor Russell suggested that she move into his office as he rarely uses the office.  Council agreed with the suggestion, park workers will help with moving of furniture. 

(10.7) Trampoline Park

The trampoline in the park will remain up for the winter.  In the future, park workers will be taking care of the installation of such equipment as they now have a tractor to work with.

(10.8) Upriver Ice Cream

Council will approach the new owners of Upriver Ice Cream to see if they would be interested in having the business relocated next to our tourism information centre.  Council feels this is an ideal location for the store and would be a great addition to the park / tourism building.

(10.9) Walkway Community Centre

Moved by Councillor Hallihan, seconded by Councillor M. Vickers to accept the bid from Vye’s Construction in the amount of $8500 plus HST to remove the concrete walkway at the community centre and replace with asphalt.  MOTION CARRIED.

(10.10) Catch Basins

Mayor Russell will contact Maritime Environmental to get a quote on having the catch basins vacuumed out before winter.

(10.11) Road Work – Patching

Moved by Councillor Hallihan, seconded by Councillor Sheasgreen to accept the bid from Vye’s Construction in the amount of $8000 plus HST to have patching done on municipal roads in Blackville.  MOTION CARRIED.

(10.12) Sewer Accounts – Update

Treasurer gave an update to council on outstanding sewer bills.  Council will go forward with plans to disconnect accounts that have not made payment arrangements.

(10.13) Rec Centre Books

A letter will be sent out to Blackville, Sunny Corner and Renous Recreation Councils asking for a quarterly financial report.  These reports are needed to help us when preparing the budget.

(10.14) Five Year Plan for the PMHP Program

Moved by Councillor Sheasgreen, seconded by Councillor Hallihan that the document entitled Miramichi River Valley Five-Year Plan for the PMHP Program 2027-2031 be adopted. MOTION CARRIED 

(10.15) Locks on Tourism Building

Moved by Councillor Sheasgreen, seconded by Councillor M. Vickers to have the locks changed at the tourism information centre.  A new key will be kept at the municipal office and will need to be signed out when needed.  MOTION CARRIED.

(10.16) Gift Cards

Moved by Councillor Hallihan, seconded by Councillor Gillespie to purchase two gift cards in the amount of $200 each to be given to Wayne Manderville for his help on the fire boundaries mapping and Marilyn Underhill for her help with health services.  MOTION CARRIED.

Moved by Councillor M. Vickers to adjourn the meeting at 19:35.