HomeMy WebLinkAboutApril 27, 2021 Budget Session Special Council Minutes CAPE BRETON REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY
Special Council Meeting—Minutes
BUDGET SESSION 2021-22
Tuesday,
April 27, 2021
9:32 a.m.
Via Video Conference
Mayor McDougall called the meeting to order.
Present: Mayor Amanda M. McDougall
Councillor Gordon MacDonald
Deputy Mayor MacMullin
Councillor Cyril MacDonald
Councillor Steve Gillespie
Councillor Eldon MacDonald
Councillor Glenn Paruch
Councillor Parsons
Councillor Edwards
Councillor Ken Tracey
Councillor Darren Bruckschwaiger
Councillor O'Quinn
Councillor Green
Staff: Marie Walsh Kathy Donovan
Jennifer Campbell Robert Nearing
Deborah Campbell Ryan Francis Campbell
Demetri Kachafanas Ray Boudreau
Wayne MacDonald Gilbert MacIntyre
Michael Ruus Chris March
John MacKinnon Matthew Viva
Deanna Evely Bruce Hardy
Robert Walsh Sean MacLellan
Michael Seth Dana Milley
Bill Murphy Jennifer Collins
Michael Seth Adam MacNeil
Kirk Durning Kirk MacNeil
Paul MacDonald Karen Neville
John Phalen Sharon MacSween
Greg Penney Angela Ross
Absent: N/A
CBRM Special Council—April 27,2021
2021-2022 Capital&Operating Budget Session
Approved May 18,2021 Page 2 of 6
Summary of Decisions
Council agreed to relax the speaking rules for the meeting.
1. Approval of the Agenda:
Motion to approve the April 27, 2021 Special Council Agenda as circulated. Carried.
2. DRAFT Capital Budget 2021-2022:
Motion to approve the Capital Budget for 2021/22 as presented totaling $50,585,868.
Carried.
Motion that staff be directed to prepare an Issue Paper regarding an overall review of J
Class Roads and the time to construct the same, and further, to approach the Provincial
Government to have discussions regarding same.
Carried.
Motion to approve the associated required borrowing resolutions for the Capital Budget
in the amount of$8,790,267.
Carried.
Motion to approve the transfer from operating reserve in the amount of $400,000 for the
Police Headquarters backup generator.
Carried.
Motion to approve the transfer from capital reserve in the amount of$114,800.
Carried.
3. BUSINESS ARISING:
3.1 Council—April 20, 2021
a) Outstanding Loan Forgiveness —Emera North Sydney
Motion that CBRM forgive the receivable owed by the Northside Community Civic
Center Society for a total of $172,457.40 and deem the Society eligible to apply for the
Municipal Grants Program on a go-forward basis. Carried.
Council recessed for the day at 4:07p.m.
CBRM Special Council—April 27,2021
2021-2022 Capital&Operating Budget Session
Approved May 18,2021 Page 3 of 6
Roll Call
Council agreed to relax the speaking rules for the meeting to allow Council to speak
open ended with a 5 minute limit.
1. Approval of the Agenda:
Motion:
Moved by Councillor Bruckschwaiger, seconded by Deputy Mayor MacMullin, to
approve the April 27, 2021 Special Council Agenda as circulated.
Motion Carried.
2. DRAFT Capital Budget 2021-2022
Wayne MacDonald, Director of Engineering &Public Works, provided a presentation
and overview of the Draft Capital Budget for 2021-2022.
Council discussion included the following items:
Councillors expressed concern for roads and rehabilitation of the same in their
respective districts
Collector Roads paving
• Programs and advocacy for funding to assist with infrastructure funding deficit
• Paving for J Class Roads
Gas tax funds
Sidewalks
• Municipal Grant capacity
• Issues with the Dept. of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal
Green technology generator for Police Headquarters
Street lights
Wentworth Park Splash Pad
• Bus shelters
Condition of the Lyceum Building
• Port Morien Fire Department
Council recessed for Lunch at 12:00 p.m.
Council resumed at 1:06pm
Mayor McDougall welcomed everyone back to the afternoon session and advised that the
meeting will end in time for the provincial COVID update.
Continued...
CBRM Special Council—April 27,2021
2021-2022 Capital&Operating Budget Session
Approved May 18,2021 Page 4 of 6
DRAFT Capital Budget 2021-2022 (Cont'd):
Council discussion on the draft Capital Budget continued, noting the following items that
were highlighted:
• The constant need to update Provincial Ministers as the individuals in these roles
change
• Suggested public campaign with all municipalities for a province-wide initiative
calling on the Provincial government for funding and responsibility for roads and
infrastructure
• Viability Study
• Centre 200 revitalization
• Green and Inclusive Fund
• Fire Service Vehicles
Deputy Mayor MacMullin assumed the Chair.
Mayor McDougall resumed the Chair.
After Council discussion, the following motions were put forward:
Motion:
Moved by Councillor Bruckschwaiger, seconded by Deputy Mayor MacMullin, to
approve the Capital Budget for 2021/22 as presented totaling $50,585,868.
Motion Carried.
Motion:
Moved by Councillor Parsons, seconded by Councillor Cyril MacDonald, that staff be
directed to prepare an Issue Paper regarding an overall review of J Class Roads and the
time to construct the same, and further, to approach the Provincial Government to have
discussions regarding same.
Motion Carried.
Motion:
Moved by Councillor Bruckschwaiger, seconded by Councillor Edwards, to approve the
associated required borrowing resolutions for the Capital Budget in the amount of
$8,790,267.
Discussion:
In response to a question, the Chief Financial Officer confirmed that this borrowing is
within Policy and explained same.
Motion Carried.
Continued...
CBRM Special Council—April 27,2021
2021-2022 Capital&Operating Budget Session
Approved May 18,2021 Page 5 of 6
DRAFT Capital Budget 2021-2022 (Cont'd):
Motion:
Moved by Councillor Parsons, seconded by Councillor O'Quinn, to approve the transfer
from the Operating Reserve in the amount of $400,000 for the Police Headquarters
backup generator.
Discussion:
In response to a question, the Chief Financial Officer clarified that a motion of Council is
required to formalize approval of the use of funds from the Operating Reserve for a
specific funding purpose.
Motion Carried.
Motion:
Moved by Deputy Mayor MacMullin, seconded by Councillor Tracey, to approve the
transfer from the Capital Reserve in the amount of$114,800.
Discussion:
The Chief Administrative Officer clarified that the money from the Reserve must go back
into the community.
Motion Carried.
3. BUSINESS ARISING:
3.1 Council—April 20, 2021
a) Outstanding Loan Forgiveness —Emera North Sydney
Jennifer Campbell, Chief Financial Officer, provided an overview of the staff Issue Paper
that was requested at the Council meeting on April 20'', 2021, regarding the request to
forgive the outstanding loan balance owed to CBRM by the Northside Community Civic
Centre Society in the amount of $172,457.40 which has been dormant since January 30,
2017.
The Chief Financial Officer provided the history of the debt and advised Council of two
(2) options to consider respecting the debt as follows:
1) Forgive the loan in full
2) Renegotiate repayment terms
Continued...
CBRM Special Council—April 27,2021
2021-2022 Capital&Operating Budget Session
Approved May 18,2021 Page 6 of 6
BUSINESS ARISING-Council—April 20,2021 -Outstanding Loan Forgiveness—Emera
North Sydney(Cont'd):
Motion:
Moved by Deputy Mayor MacMullin, seconded by Councillor Gordon MacDonald, that
CBRM forgive the receivable owed by the Northside Community Civic Center Society
for a total of$172,457.40 and deem the Society eligible to apply for the Municipal Grants
Program on a go-forward basis.
Discussion:
During discussion, some of the issues raised by Council included:
• Background information on the building
• Financial statements
• Repayment by the Society did not seem too aggressive
• Interest on the debt
• Whether or not forgiving the loan would be precedent setting
• Society worked with CBRM and the Cape Breton Partnership
• Future discussions on how arenas are funded
• The importance of the facility to the community
• Agreements between the Society with Emera (Nova Scotia Power) regarding
funding
• Naming Rights
Motion Carried.
The meeting recessed for the day at 4:07p.m.
Mayor Amanda M. McDougall Deborah Campbell Ryan
Municipal Clerk
/acr