The Scope

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4:26:47 PM: Andrew Harvey here for the first Council meeting of 2010. This year is sure to be a barn burner of a year, full of municipal excitement.

4:37:50 PM: Go time. Council assembled plus former mayor Andy Wells in attendance.

4:39:22 PM: O’Keefe talking about Art Cheesman retiring from city after 30 gets service. (He is director of planning)

4:42:40 PM: Art will leave big shoes to fill. Has seen much pass over the last 30 years.

4:44:17 PM: He has been to around 800 council meettings!

4:51:15 PM: Colbert says the only time things didn’t go right was when he didn’t listen to him.

4:52:48 PM: Tilley- Cheesman treats people fairly and honestly.

4:54:18 PM: Hann- Says Wells once told him you can’t go wrong when you listen to staff.

4:57:45 PM: (All of council speaks very highly of a man who clearly has helped them all and made a huge positive impact on this city)

5:01:26 PM: Cheesman- Gives a lot of credit to the politicans who have been here over the years to have to foresight to address the issues they did.

5:03:43 PM: Dedication for the show Republic of Doyle.

5:05:05 PM: Has brought a lot of talent, expertise, and money to the city. (Myself included! I was an extra for a day on it.)

5:05:56 PM: Show airs 9:30pm on CBC.

5:06:46 PM: On Wednesday that is. (Pretty important detail I guess)

5:07:17 PM: “St. John’s is a character in the show”

5:09:02 PM: The show thanks the city and council for all its help. Apparently they filmed the first high speed car chase scene ever in town.

5:10:04 PM: (I’m pumped for that scene. I’m pretty sure it was filmed by my house.)

5:11:20 PM: Galgay- Talking about proposed ammendment to development regulations. NL Housing asked for changes.

5:11:52 PM: Amendment forwarded to planning committee.

5:12:47 PM: Police and Traffic committee report by Gerry Colbert.

5:13:48 PM: Will be public hearing for residents of Quidi Vidi re. Plesantville redevelopment.

5:14:54 PM: Colbert- Different ideas to slow down traffic in some areas such as speed bumps.

5:17:17 PM: (These measures will not be done this year because budget is finalized. I wonder if the talk here will actually slow cars down. I doubt it)

5:18:26 PM: There will be a study done on ways to improve traffic in city, once approved.

5:19:22 PM: Hann- Study will cost $17k, which apparently is not in the budget.

5:20:42 PM: Hann- This is the first meeting of the year, and we are already spending outside of it. Hann wants to know where the money will come from.

5:22:23 PM: O’Keefe- We don’t have a crystal ball, and these things will come up.

5:23:30 PM: Hann wanted an answer where exactly the money will come from and O’Keefe would only say “the budget”

5:26:33 PM: Colbert- Doesn’t think it’s fair to ask exactly where the money will come from. The budget is more of a living document.

5:28:02 PM: Mayor’s advisiory committee on persons with disabilities…

5:29:22 PM: O’Leary- Snow clearing on sidewalks a big issue for those with disabilities.

5:30:29 PM: (How many commitees does it take to force council to clear sidewalks?)

5:32:19 PM: (It’s a trick question. Committees can’t force council to do anything. Council must change this and find money in the budget. )

5:33:31 PM: (As councillor Colbert mentoned, the budget is a living document, not set in stone.)

5:34:42 PM: Economic update. Some new flights to and from the city. Hanlon mentioned the jobs created by the Rep. Of Doyle

5:35:53 PM: Breen- Inspection fees increased, but this will be to hire more inspectors to improve response times.

5:39:17 PM: (There was a letter to the editor of The Gazette from the city defending the city’s snow clearing program.)

5:41:07 PM: (This letter was quickly passed and not discussed. If you want a laugh, ask your councillor for a copy of the letter.)

5:43:44 PM: Breen- Tenders announced on Pleasantville redevelopment on Christmas eve. (A $72 Million project)

5:45:10 PM: Breen- A lot of potential benefit and problems with Pleasantville.

5:47:20 PM: O’Leary- New year’s resolution is to look at enforcement of bylaws. Should recycling be mandatory?

5:48:01 PM: Wells- The meeting was a reminder of what he is not missing.

5:49:12 PM: That’s all folks! See ya next week.