HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Minutes October 25, 2022
CAPE BRETON REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY
Council Meeting – Minutes
Tuesday,
October 25, 2022
9:32 a.m.
Council Chambers
nd
2 Floor, City Hall
320 Esplanade, Sydney, NS
Mayor Amanda M. McDougall called the meeting to order.
Council:
Mayor Amanda M. McDougall
Councillor Gordon MacDonald
Deputy Mayor Earlene MacMullin
Councillor Steve Gillespie
Councillor Eldon MacDonald
Councillor Glenn Paruch
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
Deborah Campbell Ryan, Municipal Clerk
Demetri Kachafanas, KC, Regional Solicitor
Wayne MacDonald, Director of Engineering & Public Works
Michael Ruus, Director of Planning & Development
Greg Campbell, Manager of Technical Support Services, Water Utility
Sharon MacSween, Senior Administrative Assistant
Tanya Nicholson, Recording Secretary
Absent:
Councillor Cyril MacDonald (Regrets)
Council Meeting - Minutes
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The Council met In Camera on October 18, 2022 in accordance to Section 22 (2) (d) of the
Municipal Government Act.
Summary of Decisions
Land Acknowledgement
Roll Call
O’ Canada
1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
Motion Carried.
to approve the October 25, 2022, Council Agenda as circulated.
2.APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Motion
to approve minutes from:
Council – September 13, 2022
Carried.
3. PROCLAMATIONS:
3.1 Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month:
Motion
that CBRM Mayor Amanda M. McDougall and Council proclaim November as
th
National Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month and November 17, 2022, as World
Carried.
Pancreatic Cancer Day in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality.
3.2 International Intersex Awareness Day:
th
Motion
that CBRM Mayor Amanda M. McDougall and Council proclaim October 26,
2022, as International Intersex Awareness Day in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality.
Carried.
3.3 Dyslexia Awareness Month:
Motion
that Mayor Amanda M. McDougall and Council proclaim October 2022 as
Carried.
Dyslexia Awareness Month in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality.
Continued…
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Summary of Decisions (Cont’d)
PROCLAMATIONS (Cont’d):
3.4 Lung Cancer Awareness Month:
that Mayor Amanda M. McDougall and Council proclaim November 2022 as Lung
Motion
Cancer Awareness Month in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality and recognize the
need for research in lung cancer affecting women and lung cancer health disparities and
encourage all citizens to learn about lung cancer and early detection through lung cancer
screening.
Carried.
4. PUBLIC SERVICES ISSUE:
4.1 CBRM Water Utility Water Rate Study:
Motion
that the Cape Breton Regional Municipality apply to the Nova Scotia Utility and
Review Board for changes in its rates for water and water service, fire protection to the
Cape Breton Regional Municipality and changes to its Rules and Regulations for customers
served by the Cape Breton Regional Municipality Water Utility, as set out in the Water
Rate Study prepared by G.A. Isenor Consulting Limited in association with Blaine S.
Carried.
Rooney Consulting Limited.
5. BUSINESS ARISING:
5.1 Audit Committee Meeting – October 18, 2022:
a)Draft Audited Financial Statements for Year Ended March 31,
2022):
Motion
to approve and release the:
CBRM Consolidated Financial Statements for the Year Ended March 31, 2022
CBRM Water Utility Financial Statements for the Year Ended March 31, 2022
Audit Findings Report for the Year Ended March 31, 2022
Carried.
6. CORPORATE SERVICES ISSUES:
6.1 Borrowing Resolution, Lease Facility:
Motion
to approve the renewal of a Lease Facility with a limit of $2,000,000 with the
Bank of Montreal for the 2022/2023 fiscal year to allow CBRM departments to opt to
Carried.
finance equipment purchases through a capital lease agreement.
Continued…
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Summary of Decisions (Cont’d)
CORPORATE SERVICES ISSUES (Cont’d):
6.2 Borrowing Resolution, Operating Line of Credit:
Motion
to approve the renewal of the Borrowing Resolution for the Operating Line of
Credit in the amount of $44,000,000 with the Bank of Montreal (BMO) for the
2022/2023 fiscal year to finance short term operations and bridge financing for capital
Carried.
projects.
6.3 Seaview Manor Resolution – Board Member Appointment:
Motion
to approve the Resolution appointing Bill Morrison of Port Caledonia to the
Board of Directors at Seaview Manor as presented in the October 19, 2022, Memo.
Carried.
7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS:
7.1 CBRM to August 31, 2022:
For Information Only.
7.2 Port of Sydney Development Corporation to August 31, 2022:
For Information Only.
8. Review of Action Items from this Meeting
:
Mayor McDougall reviewed the action item from this meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
Council Meeting - Minutes
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October 25, 2022 Approved January 17, 2023
The Council met In Camera on October 18, 2022 in accordance to Section 22 (2) (d) of the
Municipal Government Act.
Land Acknowledgement
Roll Call
O’ Canada
1.APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
Motion:
Moved by Councillor Green, seconded by Councillor O’Quinn, to approve the October 25,
2022, Council agenda as circulated.
Motion Carried.
2.APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Motion:
Moved by Deputy Mayor MacMullin, seconded by Councillor Parsons, approval of the
Minutes from:
Council Meeting – September 13, 2022
Motion Carried.
3.PROCLAMATIONS:
3.1 Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month:
Motion:
Moved by Deputy Mayor MacMullin, seconded by Councillor Gordon MacDonald, that
CBRM Mayor Amanda M. McDougall and Council proclaim November as National
th
Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month and November 17, 2022, as World Pancreatic
Cancer Day in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality.
Motion Carried.
3.2 International Intersex Awareness Day:
Motion:
Moved by Councillor Green, seconded by Councillor O’Quinn, that CBRM Mayor
th
Amanda M. McDougall and Council proclaim October 26, 2022, as International Intersex
Awareness Day in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality.
Motion Carried.
Continued…
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October 25, 2022 Approved January 17, 2023
PROCLAMATIONS (Cont’d):
3.3 Dyslexia Awareness Month:
Motion:
Moved by Councillor O’Quinn, seconded by Councillor Paruch, that Mayor Amanda M.
McDougall and Council proclaim October 2022 as Dyslexia Awareness Month in the Cape
Breton Regional Municipality.
Motion Carried.
3.4 Lung Cancer Awareness Month:
Motion:
Moved by Councillor Parsons, seconded by Deputy Mayor MacMullin, that Mayor
Amanda M. McDougall and Council proclaim November 2022 as Lung Cancer Awareness
Month in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality and recognize the need for research in
lung cancer affecting women and lung cancer health disparities and encourage all citizens
to learn about lung cancer and early detection through lung cancer screening.
Motion Carried.
4. PUBLIC SERVICES ISSUE:
4.1 CBRM Water Utility Water Rate Study:
Greg Campbell, Water Utility Manager of Technical Support Services, introduced the
Water Rate Study that will be sent to the NSUARB for implementation on April 1, 2023.
He welcomed Gerry Isenor and Blaine Rooney who prepared the Study and will be
providing the presentation.
Mr. Gerry Isenor, G.A. Isenor Consulting Limited, provided a presentation on the Water
Rate Study. He advised the purpose of the Study is to review the rates charged for the
service delivered, noting that the last Rate Study was 2016/2017 and the last rate change
was 2019. He noted that the Water Utility is doing quite well, however in 2017 there was
a deficit. Presently there is a 2-block rate structure where water is sold at a discount, but
the recommedation is for that to change. The current residential water rates will not change.
Mr. Isenor reviewed points in the Note to Worksheets and Supplemental Notes to
Worksheets and highlighted the following:
Operating and Non-Operating Revenues
Operating Expenditures
Accumulated Surplus (Deficit)
Comparative Statement of Operations
Statement of Operating Expenditures and Revenue Requirements
Continued…
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PUBLIC SERVICES ISSUE - CBRM Water Utility Water Rate Study (Cont’d):
Proposed Wastewater and Water Utility merger
Use of Depreciation funds
Billing for fire protection general service
Loss of water customers
High usage customers and potential interveners at the Nova Scotia Utility and
Review Board (NSUARB) Hearing: Nova Scotia Power, Cape Breton Regional
Hospital and Marine Atlantic
Rules and Regulations
Water bills, collectables and water shut offs
New definitions for AMI and ERT for encoders and receivers for automated
metering and software
Leak detection, meter costs and meter pits and their locations
Under the Public Utilities Act, a utility cannot be expanded for new customers if it
creates a negative impact on existing customers
End of life infrastructure that must be replaced
The following motion was then put forward:
Motion:
Moved by Councillor Eldon MacDonald, seconded by Councillor Parsons, that the Cape
Breton Regional Municipality apply to the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board for
changes in its rates for water and water service, fire protection to the Cape Breton Regional
Municipality and changes to its Rules and Regulations for customers served by the Cape
Breton Regional Municipality Water Utility, as set out in the Water Rate Study prepared
by G.A. Isenor Consulting Limited in association with Blaine S. Rooney Consulting
Limited.
Motion Carried.
In terms of next steps, Mr. Isnor advised that documents have to be executed and filed with
NSUARB and then they will take control of the process. Mr. Isnor and Mr. Rooney will
act as the CBRM representatives.
Following further discussion on process, the Mayor thanked Mr. Isenor for his presentation.
Continued…
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5. BUSINESS ARISING:
5.1 Audit Committee Meeting – October 18, 2022:
a)Draft Audited Financial Statements for Year Ended March 31, 2022:
Jennifer Campbell, Chief Financial Officer, advised that the Audit Committee received the
details of the financial results for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2022, as well as the
MNP’s Audit Findings Report, and there were no areas of concern. She noted because of
Hurricane Fiona and the postponement of the Audit Committee meeting, the required year
th
end reports and documents could not submitted by the September 30 deadline.
Motion:
Moved by Deputy Mayor MacMullin, seconded by Councillor Paruch, to approve and
release the:
CBRM Consolidated Financial Statements for the Year Ended March 31, 2022
CBRM Water Utility Financial Statements for the Year Ended March 31, 2022
Audit Findings Report for the Year Ended March 31, 2022
Motion Carried.
Mayor McDougall thanked the Audit Committee and the Chief Financial Officer for their
work.
6. CORPORATE SERVICES ISSUES:
6.1 Borrowing Resolution, Lease Facility:
Jennifer Campbell, Chief Financial Officer, provided background information on the issue
and advised that CBRM has in place a lease facility that carries a limit of $2,000,000.
CBRM’s financial institution, the Bank of Montreal, requires CBRM to renew this lease
facility annually. The Bank of Montreal requires a motion from Council to renew this lease
facility for the 2022/2023 fiscal year.
Motion:
Moved by Councillor Parsons, seconded by Councillor Edwards, to approve the renewal
of a Lease Facility with a limit of $2,000,000 with the Bank of Montreal for the 2022/2023
fiscal year to allow CBRM departments to opt to finance equipment purchases through a
capital lease agreement.
Motion Carried.
Continued…
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October 25, 2022 Approved January 17, 2023
CORPORATE SERVICES ISSUES (Cont’d):
6.2 Borrowing Resolution, Operating Line of Credit:
Jennifer Campbell, Chief Financial Officer, provided background information on the issue
and advised that CBRM has in place a borrowing resolution for a $44,000,000 line of credit
and CBRM’s financial institution, the Bank of Montreal, requires CBRM to renew this
operating line of credit annually.
Motion:
Moved by Councillor Green, seconded by Councillor O’Quinn, to approve the renewal of
the Borrowing Resolution for the Operating Line of Credit in the amount of $44,000,000
with the Bank of Montreal (BMO) for the 2022/2023 fiscal year to finance short term
operations and bridge financing for capital projects.
Motion Carried.
6.3 Seaview Manor Resolution – Board Member Appointment:
Mr. Demetri Kachafanas, Regional Solicitor, provided background information on this
issue and recommended Council to approve the Seaview Manor Resolution appointing Bill
Morrison of Port Caledonia to the Board of Directors at Seaview Manor.
Motion:
Moved by Councillor Tracey, seconded by Councillor Edwards, to approve the Resolution
appointing Bill Morrison of Port Caledonia to the Board of Directors at Seaview Manor as
presented in the October 19, 2022 Memo.
Motion Carried.
7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS:
7.1 CBRM to August 31, 2022:
Jennifer Campbell, Chief Financial Officer, advised she will bring a mid-year budget
th
review to December 13, 2022, Council meeting.
For Information Only.
7.2 Port of Sydney Development Corporation to August 31, 2022:
Councillor Steve Gillespie requested that someone from the Port of Sydney Development
th
Corporation be in attendance at the December 13, 2022, meeting of Council to answer
questions on the Port financial statements.
For Information Only.
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8. Review of Action Items from this Meeting
:
Mayor Amanda M. McDougall noted that Jennifer Campbell, Chief Financial Officer, will
provide a mid-year budget review at the December 13, 2022, meeting of Council.
Meeting adjourned at 11:20 a.m.
__________________________ _______________________
Mayor Amanda M. McDougall Deborah Campbell Ryan
Municipal Clerk
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