HomeMy WebLinkAboutSpecial Council Minutes June 3 2021 CAPE BRETON REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY
Special Council Meeting Minutes
Wednesday,
June 3, 2021
10:01 a.m.
Via Video Conferencing
Mayor Amanda M. McDougall called the meeting to order.
Council: Mayor Amanda M. McDougall
Councillor Gordon MacDonald
Deputy Mayor Earlene MacMullin (left at 11:59 a.m.)
Councillor Cyril MacDonald
Councillor Steve Gillespie
Councillor Eldon MacDonald
Councillor Steve Parsons
Councillor James Edwards
Councillor Ken Tracey
Councillor Darren Bruckschwaiger
Councillor Darren O'Quinn
Councillor Lorne Green
Staff. Marie Walsh, Chief Administrative Officer
Jennifer Campbell, Chief Financial Officer
John MacKinnon, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer
Deborah Campbell Ryan, Municipal Clerk
Demetri Kachafanas, Regional Solicitor
Michael Ruus, Director of Planning and Development
Sharon MacSween, Senior Administrative Assistant
Angela Ross, Recording Secretary
Also Sylvie Gerbasi, PSDC Secretary/Treasurer
Attending: James Kerr, PSDC Chair of Governance, Member with Expertise in
Business & Commerce
Dan MacDonald, PSDC Member Licensed to Practice Law in Nova Scotia
Greg Delaney, PSDC Member with Expertise in Business & Commerce
Richard Paul, PSDC Membertou Representative
Marlene Usher, CEO -PSDC
Paul Carrigan, General Manager -PSDC
Nicole MacAulay, Manager of Cruise-PSDC
Absent: N/A
Special Council Meeting- Minutes
June 3, 2021 Approved July 6, 2021 2 of 7
Summary of Decisions
Land Acknowledtement:
Roll Call
1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
Mayor McDougall advised that a request was made by James Kerr, Chair of Governance
for the Port of Sydney Development Corporation (PSDC), to address Council regarding
the Articles of Association for the Port of Sydney. AGREED
Motion to approve the June 3, 2021, Council Agenda and Addendum as presented.
Carried.
2. Welcome and Introductions:
The Mayor welcomed those in attendance and advised that the intent of the meeting is to
alleviate any tension and rebuild relationships between Council,PSDC staff, and the PSDC
Board of Directors.
3. CBRM Nominating Committee—Process:
The Municipal Clerk provided an overview of the recruitment procedure for citizens,
followed by the process used by the Nominating Committee when dealing with citizen
applications to the PSDC Board of Directors.
For Information Only.
Council agreed to relax the speaking limit rules for the meeting.
4. Port of Sydney Development Corporation—Review of Strategic Plan and
Port Update:
A presentation was provided on the Strategic Plan for the Port of Sydney Development
Corporation.
For Information Only.
Continued...
Special Council Meeting- Minutes
May 26, 2021 Approved July 6, 2021 3 of 7
5. ADDENDUM
James Kerr, Chair of Governance for the Port of Sydney Development Corporation,
recommended changes to the Articles of Association.
6. Continued Collaboration between the PSDC Board of Directors and CBRM
Council:
The Mayor discussed next steps in regards to the continued collaboration between CBRM
Council and the PSDC Board of Directors.
Adjournment
Special Council Meeting- Minutes
June 3, 2021 Approved July 6, 2021 4 of 7
Land Acknowledtement
Mayor McDougall discussed the relationships with CBRM Council and First Nations and
noted the importance of continuing to work toward truth and reconciliation. She offered
deepest condolences to CBRM Mi'kmaq, First Nations neighbours and all indigenous
communities across Canada.
Roll Call
1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
Mayor McDougall advised that a request was received from James Kerr, Chair of
Governance for the Port of Sydney Development Corporation (PSDC), to address Council
regarding the Articles of Association for the Port of Sydney. AGREED
Motion:
Moved by Councillor Eldon MacDonald, seconded by Councillor Parsons, to approve the
June 3, 2021, Council Meeting Agenda and Addendum as presented.
Motion Carried.
2. Welcome and Introductions:
Mayor McDougall advised that with the recent reports regarding the relationship between
the Port of Sydney Development Corporation Board, Port staff, and CBRM Council, and
the recent Nominating Committee process, the intent of the meeting is to alleviate any
tension and improve these relationships.
Mayor McDougall introduced Marlene Usher, CEO of the Port of Sydney Development
Corporation, who welcomed the Port staff and Board members in attendance.
3. CBRM Nominating Committee—Process:
Deborah Campbell Ryan, Municipal Clerk, provided an overview of the recruitment
procedure for citizens, followed by the process used by the Nominating Committee when
dealing with citizen applications to the PSDC Board of Directors.
For information only.
Special Council Meeting- Minutes
June 3, 2021 Approved July 6, 2021 5 of 7
Council agreed to relax the speaking limit rules for the meeting to provide Council
members with the opportunity to speak multiple times at 5-minute intervals.
4. Port of Sydney Development Corporation—Review of Strategic Plan and Port
Update:
Marlene Usher, Chief Executive Officer - PSDC, provided an overview of the Strategic
Plan for the Port of Sydney Development Corporation and highlighted the following:
• Background
Strategic Objectives
o Novaporte and Novazone
• Advocate for Private Enterprise Growth
Non-profit and government stakeholders
Navigational Aids & Harbour Bottom
State of the Cruise Industry
• Retail at the Port
• Marina
South Dock & Cove
• Port of Sydney Fisherman's Cove Quay Market
After the presentation, the following items were discussed:
Navigational Aids:
o Timeline, need for upgrades and funding for the Navigation Aids
o Larger vessels cannot enter Sydney Harbour with current Navigational Aids
(i.e. not positioned for dredged area)
• Acquisition of the Harbour Bottom
Clarification regarding the Nominating Committee process and how the
appointments were made
Structures and buildings in the Cove
Some Councillors shared their opinions regarding comments made by PSDC staff
through email correspondence with the Chamber of Commerce and the media in
terms of the recent appointments to the PSDC Board of Directors
• Location available for "Shop the Fiddle"
Council more involved with the Port Board
• PSDC Board minutes should be publicly available and be provided for posting on
the CBRM website
At this point in the meeting, Deputy Mayor MacMullin assumed the Chair to allow Mayor
McDougall to participate in discussion.
Continued...
Special Council Meeting- Minutes
June 3, 2021 Approved July 6, 2021 6 of 7
Port of Sydney Development Corporation—Review of Strategic Plan and Port
Update (Cont'd):
Mayor McDougall expressed her enthusiasm regarding the development on the waterfront
and spoke about the scope of work being done which she believes should be the focus of
the PSDC. She then asked for clarity on the mandate of the PSDC mandate re: advocacy
work involving the container terminal and how the process took place.
Ms. Usher explained that advocacy for the Port development has been ongoing and there
may have been a misunderstanding of that role.
Mayor McDougall reassumed the Chair.
Council discussion continued, including the following:
Update on Port projects in Louisbourg and Glace Bay
Clarity on advocacy and work being done by the Port
• Lack of information to Council
Suggestion to appoint Council members to serve on the Port Board
• Port financials and compensation for staff
Crafters and Vendors
• Political endorsement of Navigation Aids needed
• Buildings on the boardwalk and Cove
5. ADDENDUM:
James Kerr, Chair of Governance for the Port of Sydney Development Corporation,
advised that the Governance Committee met and discussed some gaps they identified in
the Articles of Association, and recommended the following amendments:
1. Timeline in writing when directors are nominated
2. Annual General Meeting (AGM) date moved to February
3. Ability of the Board to reappoint Members to the Board
Mayor McDougall thanked Mr. Kerr for his suggestions.
Some Councillors shared their comments on the suggestions and discussed further joint
conversations are needed.
Special Council Meeting- Minutes
June 3, 2021 Approved July 6, 2021 7 of 7
6. Continued Collaboration between the PSDC Board of Directors and CBRM
Council:
The Mayor noted the following:
• Regular communication to Council—more frequent than quarterly
• Board minutes should be made public
• Review and update Articles of Association
0 Navigational Aids - CBRM Council to reach out to federal counterparts
• Tourism - ensure waterfront is thriving
0 Governance Committee report around the Articles of Association closing
the gaps has to happen immediately so that the Port Board is as functional
as possible.
Council members expressed concern regarding emails, correspondence, and the media
coverage on information discussed at Council's In-Camera session.
The Mayor thanked the PSDC Board volunteers, all staff and Council for their
participation, and noted the need to work on the Articles of Association and further
discussion.
Meeting adiourned at 12:21 p.m.
Mayor Amanda M. McDougall Deborah Campbell Ryan
Municipal Clerk
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