SOURIS TOWN COUNCIL MINUTES

June 9, 2008

PLEASE NOTE: THESE MINUTES ARE "AS PUBLISHED" AND WILL BE
FORMALLY ADOPTED AT THE NEXT TOWN COUNCIL MEETING

1. Calling the Meeting to Order and Quorum

2. Agenda

2.1.Approval of the Agenda

MOTION by Councillor Whyatt and seconded by Councillor Aitken, that the Council Agenda of June 9, 2008, be approved as circulated, with the following additions:

2.2 Additions to the Agenda

Item 4A – Deputation from Jim Cheverie regarding the Souris Beach Clean-up.

Motion Carried

2.3. Declaration under the Municipalities Act – Conflict of Interest Provision

Part VI, Section 23 of the Municipalities Act, which maintains that no member of Council shall derive any profit or financial advantage from his/her position as a member of Council and, where a member of Council has any pecuniary interest in or is affected by any matter before the Council, shall declare his/her interest therein and abstain from voting and discussion thereon.

Conflict Declared: None Declared

3. Approvel of Minutes

3.1 Minutes – Council Meeting of May 12, 2008

MOTION by Councillor Christina Whyatt and seconded by Councillor Thelma MacDonald, that the minutes of the Souris Town Council and the Souris Sewer and Water Utility Corporation Meeting of May 12, 2008, be approved as circulated.

Motion Carried

4. Deputation from Sid McMullin, Conservative candidate, Cardigan Riding
Mr. McMullin introduced himself. Advised council that he is available at any time for discussion on any issue they feel he could help with.

4.A Deputation from Jim Cheverie regarding the Souris Beach

Mr. Cheverie expressed his concern of the condition of Souris Beach. He suggested that the Town undertake a Beach Clean-up prior to the 2008 Summer season.

Discussion was held and Council advised Administrator to apply for necessary permit.

5. New Business

5.1 RCMP Monthly Report

April report attached for information purposes.

5.2 Bylaw and Official Plan Review – Schedule for meetings

Administrator reminded Council of meeting scheduled for this review. Tuesday, June 10th and Thursday, June 12th. Additional meetings to be scheduled.

5.3 Perth Avenue – follow up from May meeting.

Mayor Reid advised that she has requested the Administrator seek legal advice on this matter. To follow-up at next meeting.

5.4 11 Federal Avenue Property

MOTION by Councillor T. MacDonald and seconded by Councillor Whyatt, that the Town reclaim the vacant lot (11 Federal Ave) presently being used as a parking lot, grass it over and put it up for sale. Discussion was held and motion resinded to advertise the property for sale “as is”. Council requested the Town Administrator advertise 11 Federal Avenue for Sale immediately.

Motion Carried

5.5 Soil Erosion

Councillor Thibodeau updated council on progress and requested a motion be made for the Funding Application Process.

MOTION by Councilor Thibodeau and seconded by Councillor Whyatt that the Town proceed with applying for funding from the “Capacity Building Fund” to hire a consultant/engineer to complete a study on soil erosion on the shoreline of our Town. Total amount to be applied for $17,000.00. Town’s portion would equal $5,666.

Motion Carried.

5.6 Integrated Community Sustainability Plan – Funding Application

MOTION by Councilor D. MacDonald and seconded by Councillor T. MacDonald that the Town proceed with applying for funding from the “Capacity Building Fund” to hire a consultant to prepare an “Integrated Community Sustainability Plan” as mandated by the Gas Tax Program. Plan to be completed by March 31, 2009. Total amount to be applied for $30,000.00. Town’s portion would equal $10,000.00.

Motion Carried.

5.7 PEI Bluegrass & Oldtime Music Festival – Request for Sponsorship

MOTION by Councillor Whyatt and seconded by Councillor D. MacDonald that the Town of Souris support the 2008 PEI Bluegrass & Oldtime Music Festival with a contribution of $300.00. All in Favour.

Motion Carried.

5.8 Special Events – request to purchase outdoor Tent

MOTION by Councillor Thibodeau and seconded by Councillor Whyatt the Town of Souris purchase two 20’ x 20’ tents to be used at various outdoor events. Maximum purchase not to exceed $5,000. All in Favour.

Motion Carried.

6. Financial Information

6.1 Statement of Revenues and Expenditures as at May 31, 2008

Received for information.

Town of Souris – General Account
Town of Souris – Sewer and Water Utility Corp

6.2 Outstanding Invoices for Approval as at June 6, 2008

MOTION by Councillor Denis Thibodeau and seconded by Councillor Christina Whyatt, that the outstanding invoices be approved, as circulated:

Town of Souris – General Account $9,355.48
Town of Souris – Sewer and Water Utility Corp. $14,265.44 $23,620.92

Motion Carried

6.3 Cheques Issued During the Month of May

Received for information.

Town of Souris – General Account $16,620.23
Town of Souris – Sewer and Water Utility Corp. $3,032.27 $19,652.50

7. Council Reports

7.1 Mayor Joanne Reid - Mayor’s Report

The emphasis this month has been on getting the Main Street project underway and focusing on Communities in Bloom. The new flower sign reading SOURIS is being created at the East Entrance to the town. Negotiations with the contractor for the Main Street project are underway.

The business of the town has been ably carried out by the new Administrator, Shelley MacInnis, in an admirable manner. My work load has been lessened immensely by her extensive knowledge of the town and its business. She often provides the answer even before I ask the question.

I attended numerous functions on behalf of the town.

7.2 Councillor Donnie Aitken

Bylaw Enforcement Application is being re-submitted by Patsy Gotell, CAO for the Town of Georgetown for joint By-law enforcement officer.

Received complaint of dangerous dog. Requested Administrator to speak to RCMP in

regards to their role in dog control of dangerous dogs.

Attended a site visit of work being undertaken at Matthew and McLean Bldg. with

Consultant Steve Cheverie & Contractor Bernard Clinton. Updated council on status of

work and changes to scope of work.

Dog tags are currently being sold by Consolidated School Students.

7.3 Councillor Wanda Bailey

May 20, 2008 – Main Street Project meeting

May 27, 2008 – HR meeting to review applicants for Admin Assist. job.

May 27, 2008 – Souris Sea Fest meeting

May 28, 2008 – HR meeting to interview applicants for Admin Assist. job.

June 2, 2008 – Souris Fire Department monthly meeting

7.4 Councillor David MacDonald

After meeting with Provincial Officials, our bylaw enforcement committee will be presenting a revised proposal to the provincial government.

Due to winter damage, our maintenance department will be spending some time on repairs at our ball fields. Poor spring growing conditions will prevent usage of our main soccer field this year as the field is being prepared for the 2009 Canada Games. To alleviate this problem we will convert our existing baseball field into a soccer/minor baseball field and two minor soccer field. With the co-operation fo the provincial department of transportation, we hope to have this conversion completed within the week.

7.5 Councillor Thelma MacDonald

Attended Souris Hospital Board meeting.

In touch with Darrell Fisher on a regular basis regarding the Main Street Upgrade

Project.
Attended various council meetings during the past month.

7.6 Councillor Denis Thibodeau

May 16, 2008 – ATV committee meeting

May 20, 2008 – Main Street Project meeting

May 21, 2008 – Building Canada Fund Announcement in Summerside. Federal

Minister Lawrence Cannon & Premier Robert Ghiz

May 27, 2008 - 1st Annual Souris Sea Fest meeting.

May 30, 2008 - Meeting with Minister Allan Campbell & Assistant Joe O’Keefe in regards

to Main Street Project.

June 3, 2008 – CBC Programming meeting at Access PEI
Various meetings with CAO regarding shoreline erosion funding application.

7.7 Councillor Christina Whyatt

May 13, 2008 Attended the Red Clay Quilters Meeting and Display of Quilt at 7:00 p.m. in the boardroom, Access PEI, Souris, Prince Edward Island.

May 20, 2008 Attended the update on the Main Street Project at 12 noon in the Council Chambers at Souris Town Hall.

May 23, 2008 Attended the closing of the Passport to Employment Course (TIAPEI) at Holland College, Souris Centre, Souris, Prince Edward Island.

June 5, 2008 Attended the Island Morning Crew Free Pancake Breakfast and Remote Broadcast which launched the New CBC Radio One Transmitter, 92.3 FM for Elmira which started at 6:00 a.m. and ended at 8:30 a.m. in the Royal Canadian Legion, Souris, Prince Edward Island. THANK YOU CBC RADIO ONE for bring better radio reception to the residents of Eastern P.E.I.

June 5, 2008 Attended the Mainstreet Broadcast live from the Basin Head Fisheries Museum at 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. and entertainment with Elmer Deagle and Colette Cheverie at Basin Head, Prince Edward Island.

June 5, 2008 Attended an open house hosted by Corridor Resources Inc. An Information session and follow up to the drilling and hydraulic farcing operations conducted in 2007 at the Souris Ski Lodge, Souris Line Road, Prince Edward Island.

Since our last regular Council Meeting in May and agreed to take on the Souris Centennial Research Project. I have been researching ideas and events that can be incorporated into the 2010 Celebrations for the 100 years that Souris East (1910) became the Town of Souris. The East was officially dropped from the name in 1967.

I have been checking the Souris Provincial Beach which will be more regular as the Summer comes with warm weather for the people to enjoy.

8. Correspondence Received

Letter requesting financial assistance from Shawn McClumpha; SRHS student. Council advised Administrator to deal with these requests as per “policy for donations”.

9. Other Business

Councillor D. MacDonald advised council of request from Eastern Kings Sports Council for three year commitment from the Town of Souris towards the Eastern Kings Recreation Director proposal.

MOTION by Councillor D. MacDonald and seconded by Councillor Thibodeau that the Town of Souris provide a financial commitment of $6,000 for 2008, $12,000 for 2009 and $12,000 for 2010 towards the hiring of an Eastern Kings Recreation Director by the Eastern Kings Sports Council. All in Favour.

Motion Carried.

8. Adjournment – 8:30 p.m.

MOTION by Councillor D. MacDonald and seconded by Councillor Thibodeau that the meeting be adjourned.

Motion Carried

_______________________________________
Mayor Joanne Reid

_______________________________________
Dianne La Chapelle, Administrator