City Council Highlights - April 16, 2024

City Council approved a number of motions at the Regular Council Meeting held on Tuesday, April 16.

Adoption of Minutes
Minutes from the following meetings were approved:
Regular Council Meeting, March 19, 2024
Public Presentation, March 26, 2024
Special Council Meeting, March 26, 2024
Public Presentation, March 26, 2024
Council in Committee Meeting, March 26, 2024
Special Council Meeting, April 2, 2024
Council in Committee Meeting, April 2, 2024
Public Hearing, April 9, 2024
Special Council Meeting, April 9, 2024
Council in Committee Meeting, April 9, 2024

Correspondence
Carpiquet Mayor Pascal Sérard extended an invitation to Mayor Adam Lordon to participate in ceremonies on June 5, 2024 for the 80th anniversary of D-Day.
A group of 275 students and staff from Anglophone North School District will also be attending the ceremony as well as visiting and participating in other D-Day anniversary events.

New Business
Council approved Policy 121 - Recruitment and Selection, a policy that establishes a standard for recruitment practices and strategies for the City of Miramichi’s Human Resources Department. This policy ensures consistency, uniformity as well as organixed and fair hiring process.
Council awarded RFP #24-025 for the supply of supply, delivery and installation of playground equipment and fall zone surfacing to Playpower LT Canada Inc. for the amount of $68,756.20.
Council awarded RFP #24-023 - Operation of rental spaces at Ritchie Wharf Park for a five year period from 2024-2028 tourism season (June 1st to Labour Day) to Jennifer and Andrew McFarlene, Timbership Brewing Company and Stephane Richard, Miramichi ProNature.
Council approved a motion to name two city streets and re-name two outdoor sports fields from submissions to the Naming Policy which established a Name Bank to allow citizens, groups, councillors, developers, landowners and city staff to suggest names to be included. The following were recommended and approved:
Evan McFarlane Field
Evan McFarlane was a youth from Douglastown area who loved baseball. He often played at the Gretna Green Fields. He passed away in May,2022 at the age of 14.
It is proposed that one of the Gretna Green Fields be renamed Evan McFarlane Field.
Kerr Court
John Kerr was a local businessman who developed the residential area commonly called "Taintville". Land that he granted for public use is now a paved baseball court. It is proposed to have this property named "Kerr Court".
Chemin Carpiquet Road
The North Shore Regiment was involved in an intense battle in Carpiquet France during the Second World War (July 5th, 1944). The North Shore Regiment suffered 132 casualties including 46 fatalities, incurring the units heaviest single day losses of the campaign. The Regiment was awarded the Battle Honour "Carpiquet" for its efforts in action.
It is proposed that the street adjacent to the new Kent Development be name Ch Carpiquet Rd. once construction begins.
Tupsi Drive
The city is constructing a new street from Douglastown Blvd. to the new Multiplex. At a meeting of CEDI, the city asked local First Nations participants to propose a name for this street.
Chief George Ginnish of Natoaganeg First nation advised elders in his community who proposed Tupsi, the Mi'Kmaw word for alder. Alders are considered good medicine for various ailments and have been traditionally used to make eating utensils, smoking meats and building fires. It is proposed that the new street to the multiplex be named Tupsi Drive.
The city received other names for new streets and facilities, they will be maintained on file for future naming.
Council approved that a lease be signed with MAO Bait Ltd. to use a portion of the Nelson Mill Wharf from May 1st to the end of June to purchase gaspereaux harvested by local fishermen during the season.
The former mill property is currently not accessible to the public.

By-laws
The second, third readings and enactment of By-law No. 109-18, a By-Law to amend By-Law No.109, City of Miramichi Municipal Plan By-law and By-law No. 110-28, a By-Law to amend By-Law No. 110, the City of Miramichi Zoning By-Law granting Randy Waye (T.G. Williston Surveys Ltd.) to change the zoning designation from "Institutional (IN)" to "Residential Single- or Two-Unit Dwelling (R-2)" for an approximately 7500m2 portion of the Subject Property described as PID 40063255, Iocated at 4464 Water Street, in the City of Miramichi to enable conversion of the existing church and rectory buildings into single-unit dwellings were approved by City Council.

A Special Council Meeting and a Council in Committee Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 23 at 6 p.m.