[3:54] Mhm.

[4:56] » Those of you here in in chambers tonight, those of you who

[4:59] are at home watching us, welcome. Seems like a long time since we had our

[5:04] last meeting.

[5:08] We're here tonight.

[5:11] Eddie? >> [laughter]

[5:13] » Not much I will tell we spent too much time together in social settings over

[5:17] the last month. I'm calling you by your first name. Sorry about that.

[5:22] Councillor Kennedy, would you mind reading the land acknowledgement,

[5:24] please? >> Thank you, Madam Mayor.

[5:26] We acknowledge the land on which we gather is in traditional Mi'kmaq

[5:29] territory, and we acknowledge with respect that the diverse histories and

[5:33] cultures of the Beothuk, Mi'kmaq, Innu, and Inuit of this province.

[5:40] » Thank you. Okay, I'm looking for an approval of the

[5:43] agenda. Come on. Councillor Wheeler and

[5:49] » Second. Councillor Luther.

[5:53] And I'm looking for motion to carry it.

[5:57] All in favor? Motion's carried. All right.

[6:03] Approval of the minutes. I need a mover for those.

[6:07] Councillor Dean, Councillor Pritchard.

[6:11] Uh all in favor of the agenda?

[6:15] Motion carried. Business arising from the minutes.

[6:19] Anybody got any uh questions or comments about the our

[6:24] last set of meeting uh minutes on July the 20th? Anybody got anything to bring

[6:28] forward?

[6:32] A lot has happened since July the 2nd.

[6:37] Okay. We're all good. Okay. First one, Deputy Mayor.

[6:44] Thank you, Madam Mayor. >> Thank you, Madam Mayor.

[6:47] Each year the city holds a community event in the city that has been

[6:50] historically attained as Corner Brook Day.

[6:53] There was never a specific date for the event and it has changed throughout the

[6:56] years based on scheduling and other events and a variety of other factors.

[7:01] Staff are recommending that going forward the Corner Brook Day is the same

[7:05] day each year. This maintains clarity and consistency

[7:09] to the public and also allows for more efficiency planning for all summer

[7:14] events. This day is not a civic holiday and is

[7:17] not recognized as a holiday under the Shop Closing Act. The city's civic

[7:22] holiday remains as the third Monday in February in which our winter carnival is

[7:27] celebrated. Proposed resolution. It is resolved that

[7:31] the Council of the City of Corner Brook officially mark August 1st of each year

[7:35] as Corner Brook Day. I so move. >> Second her for that one?

[7:39] » I'll second that. >> Councillor Luther.

[7:41] Discussion? Questions? Comments?

[7:45] » Just a comment. I think it's great. Sorry.

[7:48] » Cool. Yeah. You go. >> Madam Mayor, I I just think it's great

[7:51] that we have we decide on a day and keep it there because it's just too confusing

[7:55] to the public. And a lot of people wonder about thinking that there's a

[7:58] holiday during Carnival, then they want to know why Carnival Day is not a

[8:02] holiday. So, at least it will clear some of that up.

[8:04] » Perfect. Any comments? Councillor Pritchard?

[8:08] » Uh just to clarify, Madam Mayor, so if August the 1st happens to be on a

[8:12] Saturday or Sunday, do we maintain the August 1st date?

[8:15] » Yeah. It's not a civic holiday.

[8:19] Right? No, lots of people will plan on taking it, but so Councillor Dean?

[8:24] » Madam Mayor, I think it's a great idea to have a set specific date for Corner

[8:29] Brook Day and August 1st right in the middle of summer. Awesome time. Lots of

[8:32] time to get people excited and ready for this celebration of this beautiful

[8:36] place. >> Thank you.

[8:40] Anyone else anything to say? Okay, call for question. All those in

[8:43] favor? Opposed?

[8:47] Motion's carried. Okay, Councillor Dean, you're up. With

[8:51] the adoption of the Corner Brook Wildfire Resiliency Plan.

[8:55] » Thank you, Madam Mayor. The purpose of this report is to seek

[8:58] Council's formal adoption of the Corner Brook Community Wildfire Resiliency

[9:03] Plan. The CBWRP

[9:06] is a comprehensive strategy that identifies wildfire risks within the

[9:10] city and establishes practical evidence-based actions to reduce those

[9:15] risks while protecting residents, municipal infrastructure, businesses,

[9:20] natural resources, and critical community services.

[9:24] The plan was developed through a collaborative process involving

[9:27] municipal, provincial, indigenous, industry, academic, and emergency

[9:31] management partners. Across Canada, communities are

[9:36] experiencing larger and more destructive wildfires

[9:40] due to a changing climate conditions, prolonged dry periods, and increasing

[9:45] development within the wildland urban interface.

[9:48] Although Corner Brook has historically experienced relatively few significant

[9:53] wildfires, the city's location within extensive forested landscapes requires a

[9:58] proactive approach to managing future wildfire risk.

[10:03] The plan includes that Corner Brook's overall wildfire risk is currently low

[10:07] to moderate, but identifies higher risk areas where development borders

[10:13] continuous forest fuels. It also recognizes that climate change,

[10:19] longer dry periods, and forest [clears throat] health concerns, such as

[10:22] spruce budworm, are increasing future wildfire potential.

[10:28] Corner Brook was selected as one of only three pilot communities in Canada to

[10:32] participate in the development of the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire

[10:37] Centre's national community wildfire resiliency plan framework, recognizing

[10:44] the city's proactive FireSmart initiatives and its regional importance.

[10:49] Key findings include overall wildfire exposure is low to moderate with higher

[10:55] exposure concentrated along the forested edges of the community.

[11:00] Approximately 80% 86% actually of developed properties are classified as

[11:06] nil to low exposure for short-range ember attack, while 14% fall within

[11:12] medium to extreme exposure. Approximately 59% of developed

[11:18] properties are classified as nil to low exposure for long-term ember attack,

[11:23] while 41% fall within medium to extreme exposure.

[11:28] The greatest directional wildfire wildfire exposure occurs from the

[11:32] southern and southwestern portions of the community.

[11:36] Priority mitigation areas have been identified through the integration of

[11:40] wildfire exposure modeling with a critical asset consequence ranking,

[11:45] allowing resources to be focused where they provide the greatest benefit.

[11:50] Of note, the plan does not predict where wildfire will occur. Rather, it

[11:55] identifies where mitigation activities are likely to have the greatest impact

[11:59] in protecting people, resources, and assets.

[12:03] Be it resolved that the Council of the City of Corner Brook adopts the Corner

[12:07] Brook Community Wildfire Resiliency Plan as the city's strategic framework for

[12:13] wildfire risk reduction, and authorizes city staff to advance its

[12:18] recommendations as funding opportunities and operational priorities permit. I so

[12:24] move. >> Seconded by me.

[12:27] » Councillor Kendell? Any discussion or questions on this one?

[12:34] Councillor Wheeler? >> Thank you, Madam Mayor.

[12:37] Uh I noticed it says we were one of three pilot communities selected for

[12:41] this. I just wonder if we had um applied for it somehow, or if we were just

[12:47] selected. And second part after that question, uh financial impact. So, I

[12:52] understand there's no immediate financial impact of having to put this

[12:55] plan in place, but the monies would be spent on putting the strategic plan

[13:00] together in the future. Is that correct? >> Madam Mayor, um to answer the first

[13:05] question, uh we were selected because of our interest in FireSmart. And I'd have

[13:10] to attribute to our former Deputy Chief, uh

[13:14] Derek Simmons, who uh was a big proponent of this and and

[13:18] making this happen and engaging his connections with the federal forestry uh

[13:24] departments and provincial um made the connection for it come here.

[13:30] So, we were lucky on that.

[13:32] And And as far as the funding and financial

[13:37] commitment goes, uh this is this plan is just a framework.

[13:44] It tells us makes recommendations to us as a city or the city staff and how we

[13:50] uh approach the wildfire resiliency in the future.

[13:55] Um when opportunities present themselves, maybe uh

[13:59] funding from the province or if there's a bylaw change that we look at in

[14:04] development regulations that may support wildfire initiatives, we will be

[14:11] factoring that into those decision processes.

[14:16] » Thank you. >> Thank you.

[14:19] » Madam Mayor, I would just like to say that

[14:22] BC is burning as we speak and Ontario has had, you know, a terrible time with

[14:27] fire this year. So, I'm so grateful that the city of Corner Brook and its staff

[14:31] are recognizing the real risk to wildfires and that they're proactively

[14:37] doing something to prevent that happening here.

[14:41] » We're prepared. Can't be too prepared.

[14:43] » Yeah. Definitely not.

[14:46] Anybody else? Uh

[14:49] Councilor Dean, you were going to ask where the southern and southwestern

[14:53] portions of the community were. >> Thank you, Madam Mayor. I did actually

[14:57] talk to our wonderful director Todd about that and the southern and

[15:01] southwestern portions, the greatest directional wildfire exposure occurs

[15:06] there and it happens to be Elizabeth Street, Wheelers Road, new hospital area

[15:11] and we know that's a very forested uh not only very forested part of of the

[15:16] city, but it's on the uphill slope, isn't it? Yes.

[15:20] » Thank you. Uh Councilor uh Councilor Director Flynn,

[15:24] will this also give us uh will we be working on like an evacuation plan? Will

[15:28] that be included in here? >> Yes, uh Madam Mayor. This uh plan will

[15:34] inform our overall city plan, emergency response plan. So, we will be uh

[15:40] factoring those things in there, those recommendations in that document as

[15:43] well. >> And the reason I asked that is because I

[15:46] have family who just had to be evacuated and they it went

[15:51] like charm work because they had uh really good evacuation plan at the time

[15:55] and uh that could be something that could save a lot of lives and they did

[15:59] account uh all the fires in Summerland to the plan that was made and was well

[16:05] well uh prepared and uh

[16:08] brought it. So, they're the things that I guess that we would be interested in

[16:12] seeing also, right? Anything else?

[16:16] Thank you. Thanks for all your work on this 2000 uh Director Flynn. We'll have

[16:20] you a counselor yet, I can tell it. Okay, I'm going to call for a question.

[16:24] All those in favor?

[16:27] Opposed? Motion's carried. Thank you.

[16:32] Okay, counselor candidate. >> Thank you, Madam Mayor.

[16:35] » Good Grant. >> The city grants committee received a

[16:38] grant application from Chamber Arts Inc. requesting $20,000 in funding.

[16:44] The city grants committee received a grant application from Chamber Arts Inc.

[16:48] requesting $20,000 in funding. In accordance with the city grants policy,

[16:53] the application is being brought forward to council

[16:55] » [clears throat] >> for consideration with the

[16:57] recommendation from the grant committee as request is above $10,000.

[17:02] The requested funding would support Chamber Arts summer programming in

[17:05] Corner Brook including the employment of more than 15 local and visiting artists

[17:10] and the presentation of three productions celebrating Newfoundland and

[17:14] Labrador's history, music, and culture. Funding would also support the

[17:18] organization's youth theater programs, year-round art hubs, and recording and

[17:23] promotional of original music. Overall, the initiative aims to

[17:27] strengthen the local arts community, create employment opportunities, and

[17:30] contribute to Corner Brook's culture

[17:33] » [clears throat] >> and tourism economy.

[17:35] After review of the grants application, the submitted budget for Cambourne Arts

[17:39] summer program and the city's current operational budget for grants, the

[17:43] committee is recommending funding in the amount of $5,000. The grant committee

[17:47] recognizes the value of Cambourne Arts programming and recommends city support

[17:52] of the organization's activities. Given the limited grant funding

[17:56] remaining in for 2026, the committee recommends a contribution of $5,000 as

[18:01] this amount will provide meaningful support to the organization while

[18:05] preserving funding capacity to assist other local organizations and community

[18:09] groups that may seek support through the remainder of the year.

[18:14] It is resolved that the Council of the City of Corner Brook approve a grant for

[18:18] Cambourne Arts in the amount of $5,000. I so move.

[18:23] » Thank you. I need a second for that. Deputy.

[18:26] Uh before we do discussion, uh Council Dean has claimed herself to be in a

[18:31] conflict cuz she sits on the board of directors. Thank you, Council Dean.

[18:35] » Madam Mayor, I I believe I may be in conflict on this as well simply because

[18:38] my two children do participate in this program and I have been employed by

[18:43] Cambourne Arts in the past. So, I will remove myself from this discussion as

[18:47] well. >> Can I just second that?

[18:55] Do you want us to vote on it or do you just want to claim yourself in a

[18:59] conflict?

[19:02] » I I'm happy for it to be voted on.

[19:07] » Okay, vote on? Okay, so may we put a motion forward?

[19:10] If Council Perchard is actually in a conflict

[19:16] » Can I ask a question? >> Okay.

[19:18] » Um do you currently do any work with them

[19:20] at all or is it just >> No, but I have done contract work in the

[19:23] past.

[19:27] » Okay, make a motion. We'll we'll vote on it.

[19:30] You want to make a motion, Councillor Wheeler?

[19:33] » Uh I hate doing this. >> [laughter]

[19:36] » Come on, you're good at it. >> The motion be whether we uh

[19:41] we see uh Councillor Pritchard as in conflict of interest

[19:45] » in in the voting on the Chamber Arts.

[19:48] » Okay, second her on that. Okay, Councillor Wheeler.

[19:54] Discussion? No.

[19:57] Okay, do you want to vote? Any If you think that uh

[20:00] Councillor Pritchard is in a conflict of interest

[20:04] all in favor.

[20:12] Opposed? >> to it. Yes.

[20:17] Oh, agree. >> So you don't think he's in a conflict?

[20:20] » No. >> Okay.

[20:21] I think so we have four three. >> Four to one.

[20:24] » Four to two. >> Okay, you're not in a conflict,

[20:27] Councillor Pritchard, so we have decided.

[20:30] » Thank you. >> Any discussions on this one?

[20:35] Yes, Councillor Wheeler. >> Uh so

[20:39] they're they're asking for a grant for for 2026, but that doesn't prevent them

[20:45] from applying again next year for 2027. Is that correct?

[20:50] » They can apply yearly. >> Thank you.

[20:51] » Yeah, you got it, man.

[20:54] » Anybody else want to comment?

[21:00] Okay, call for the question. All those in favor of the $5,000 grant

[21:06] for Chamber Arts.

[21:09] Opposed? >> I'll second.

[21:12] » Thank you very much. You can come back now, Counselor Dean.

[21:16] It's like we put you in detention.

[21:20] Okay, Counselor Lutescher. You're on for the 2025 annual

[21:26] expenditure report. >> Thank you, Madam Mayor. As per

[21:29] requirements of the Canada Community Building Fund Agreement, each year the

[21:33] city is required to prepare and approve a report showing a full and detailed

[21:37] statement of revenue and expenditures of the city related to the Canada Community

[21:41] Building Fund Agreement on an annual basis. At the end of 2025, the city had

[21:47] $1,724,146

[21:51] of funds available for additional projects. It is resolved that the

[21:55] Council of the City of Corner Brook approve the annual expenditure report

[21:59] for Canada Community Building Fund Agreement funding for 2025 as presented.

[22:04] » I so move. >> Seconder?

[22:07] » I'll second that, Madam Mayor. >> Questions? Comments?

[22:18] Call for the question. All those in favor?

[22:20] » [clears throat] >> Opposed.

[22:23] » Motion is carried. >> Counselor Pritchard, you're on.

[22:28] » Thank you, Madam Mayor. As part of staff's ongoing policy

[22:32] review, policies are being evaluated to ensure they remain current, relevant,

[22:37] and aligned with existing operational practices and regulatory requirements.

[22:41] The proposed changes are intended to improve clarity, increase administrative

[22:45] efficiency, and eliminate duplication with existing regulations.

[22:51] The following policies are being bring being brought forward today with

[22:56] revisions. Property marker policy 060204.

[23:02] Revisions are proposed that provide clarity regarding the installation and

[23:06] use of property markers by residents including what types of markers are

[23:10] permitted, outlining the responsibility of the property owners and the city. The

[23:15] intent is to support winter maintenance operations while ensuring residents are

[23:18] informed of their responsibilities and risks.

[23:22] Busking policy 0207-11. Revisions are proposed outline different

[23:28] procedures based off area requested in the busking application. In the former

[23:33] policy, it was only addressed addressing busking on sidewalks. However, there was

[23:37] no procedure for process processing requests for other city-owned public

[23:41] spaces such as the parks, civic square, etc. Applications for these requests

[23:46] need to be done in conjunction with recreation and tourism staff.

[23:50] And the amusement center permit policy 02-07-01.

[23:55] This policy is being proposed to be rescinded as the use for amusement

[23:59] centers is included in the city's development regulations and would

[24:02] supersede city policy. So, it is resolved that the council of

[24:07] the city of Corner Brook a new approved the new revised property markers policy

[24:13] 060204 as proposed. I so move.

[24:18] » Seconded for that, then. Councillor Kennedy?

[24:22] Any discussions, [clears throat] comments on this one?

[24:33] Some of our policies are are certainly old and need to be updated, so

[24:37] this is where we're headed with this. Councillor Crocker?

[24:40] » I'm Adam I'm ask a question for the floor here. Are we

[24:44] There's three that are up for debates or are we going to do these one at a time

[24:49] here or as a in individually?

[24:53] » Whatever you want to do. >> Yeah, so the first one I guess the first

[24:55] one was just read for the uh property marker policy. So that one is that one

[24:59] is there and we'll do the other two after this one.

[25:02] » And we voted a master.

[25:09] Okay, we'll do it. Yeah. >> Yeah.

[25:10] » Okay.

[25:14] » So >> Who seconded the first one for you? The

[25:16] marker 880. Oh, sorry. Counselor Kennedy. Oh my gosh.

[25:20] I can't hang around with you fellows anymore. That's it.

[25:23] Okay. Anybody want to discuss the the property marker policy?

[25:28] No? Okay. I'll call for the question. All

[25:31] those in favor?

[25:34] Motion carried. And the next one now, Counselor Burton.

[25:38] » It is resolved that the Council of the City of Corner Brook approve the new

[25:41] revised busking policy 02-07-11 as proposed. I so move.

[25:47] » Seconded on that one. Counselor Dean?

[25:51] Comments? Questions? No, it's pretty clear, isn't it? Okay.

[25:56] Call for the question. All those in favor?

[25:59] Okay. That one was carried.

[26:03] » And number three, it's resolved that the Council of the City of Corner Brook

[26:05] rescinds the amusement centers uh permits policy 02-07-01.

[26:12] I so move. >> Seconded for that one. Counselor Luther.

[26:16] Any questions on this one?

[26:20] What What does it mean for the amusement centers? Is that the ones that come in

[26:26] the summer like Thomas Amusements and things like that and set up or what is

[26:29] it?

[26:32] » Through you, Madam Mayor. This one here [clears throat] would be for a permanent

[26:34] venues. So coming in and setting up an amusement center or something like that.

[26:38] » Okay.

[26:41] Okay. No more comments or questions? Okay.

[26:44] Call for the question. All those in favor?

[26:48] Good. And that one was good.

[26:50] Thank you very much. Looks like we're cleaning up some of our

[26:53] policies. Okay. And National Day of Mourning, Councillor

[26:58] Wheeler. >> Thank you, Madam Mayor. Request for

[27:01] decision. The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is a statutory holiday

[27:06] for employees in the federal government and federally regulated workplaces.

[27:11] The holiday [clears throat] was created in June of 2021 with the intent to

[27:15] educate and remind Canadians about the history of residential schools, honor

[27:20] victims, and celebrate survivors. The province of Newfoundland and

[27:24] Labrador has not yet designated this day a provincial statutory holiday. However,

[27:31] they have closed provincial buildings and given provincial employees the

[27:34] holiday. The province states that the consultations are ongoing with regards

[27:39] to making this day a provincially recognized holiday.

[27:43] Be it resolved that the Council of the City of Corner Brook approve the request

[27:48] for September 30th, 2026, the National Day for Truth and

[27:52] Reconciliation to be a holiday for city employees and grant City of Corner Brook

[27:57] staff the day of Wednesday, September the 30th, 2026, to reflect and

[28:03] commemorate the tragic history of residential schools in Canada. I so

[28:07] move. >> Seconded.

[28:10] » Councillor Brake, two. >> Comments, questions on this one?

[28:17] » I just Sorry, Madam Mayor. Um,

[28:20] I just thought that this was a holiday across the board, didn't realize that

[28:22] city employees didn't didn't get it. So, I was uh

[28:27] » It's a holiday for many employees in the city. Yeah.

[28:32] » Yeah. >> Our understanding is until it's

[28:36] designated as a provincial holiday, we have to continue to do this.

[28:39] » Every year, yearly. Yeah.

[28:42] And that will probably happen sooner rather than later. Yeah. So,

[28:46] » then we won't have to bring it forward to be voted on.

[28:49] Okay. Call for the question. All those in

[28:51] favor? Okay.

[28:55] Motion carried. Okay, we're going to have a little go

[28:58] around now. At the end, we've had a uh busy, busy, busy, busy month

[29:03] since our last meeting. Hence the reason I call some counselors

[29:08] tonight by their first names. You've been hanging out, doing lots of

[29:12] things. However, I'm going to start tonight with Jennifer.

[29:17] » Thank you, Madam Mayor. Uh it's been a busy summer, for sure.

[29:21] We've had the opportunity to participate in the variety of

[29:25] events, the Jigs and Wheels, and the Summer Games, which was wonderful. Both

[29:31] events provided great opportunities for everyone to get involved and enjoy

[29:36] themselves, for sure. Um we connected with other people and

[29:40] celebrated lots of good stuff in our city. I just want to mention that.

[29:44] But I also want to mention coming up is uh August 29th is Corner Brook Day.

[29:50] So, in the afternoon from 1:00 to 4:00, there'll be kids events, uh face

[29:53] painting, fan- fancy castle, and kids entertainment. And still working on

[29:59] entertainment for that evening, but right now we do have Midnight Cris and

[30:02] there will be others. And fireworks will be at 10:00 that

[30:06] night. So, come and enjoy August 29th for our Corner Brook Day.

[30:10] Thank you. >> Thank you.

[30:12] Councillor Luther? >> Uh thank you, Madam Mayor. Um

[30:16] you're right, it's been a wonderful summer. It's been non-stop and doesn't

[30:19] look like there's much of an end to it right now.

[30:22] Um I just wanted to mention that on August 22nd, which is this coming

[30:26] Saturday, the uh port are having community port days. Uh this is the

[30:30] third one that they've held. Uh just want to mention to the public to

[30:35] to go down and see because a lot of people drive by and all you see are

[30:38] those container container things that are down there and

[30:41] you're wondering like what do the cruise people see when they get off and you

[30:44] think oh my gosh this is horrible. But actually if you go beyond that which

[30:48] you're allowed to do during this day you get to see

[30:51] what they see when they get off the ships and it's absolutely beautiful.

[30:53] They have little kiosks down there, they have a stage set up and it's really

[30:56] really nice. And a little this this might be a little conflict of interest

[31:00] but Xavier House is having a barbecue down there that day so come on down and

[31:04] uh help uh uh support Xavier House and come down

[31:08] and support the port. This uh you won't you won't be disappointed.

[31:12] » Thank you. >> It was an eye-opener for me when I went

[31:14] down the first year. I could not believe what was actually behind those

[31:17] buildings. But anyway and hot dogs always and music.

[31:22] Can't go wrong. Councillor Wheeler?

[31:25] » Thank you Madam Mayor. We have had a busy summer for sure. At the risk of

[31:29] sounding redundant um with some other folks here this evening.

[31:34] Um we've had opportunity to open Second

[31:37] Chance Cove down in Curling which I was really really happy to be a part of. We

[31:42] had the light up the bay event down at the um yacht club.

[31:46] Um we had visits from the Lieutenant Governor, you know, jigs and reels. Um

[31:51] but I'll I'll just briefly mention my perspective on the Canada Games uh sorry

[31:56] summer games that we had here in Newfoundland. So really really pleased

[32:00] with what the city of Corner Brook was able to pull together

[32:04] uh with regards to the summer games. Um the opening ceremonies were absolutely

[32:09] fabulous and then I thought they were topped then by the closing ceremonies.

[32:13] So hats off. Um

[32:16] but uh not to speak about anybody specifically but the volunteers that we

[32:21] had for that. Um to be able to pull it off was no easy

[32:25] feat. Uh there were times I had doubt if we were going to be able to do it but

[32:29] here we are on the other side of it and I'm just so grateful um that we got

[32:34] through it and it seemed like a good time was had by all. Really, really

[32:38] proud of city. And then many thanks to the public works

[32:42] teams, especially, because we had to put other work on hold,

[32:47] you know, to focus on the Summer Games. So, there's some other things that we

[32:50] may be a little bit behind on doing as result of this. But, certainly, I was

[32:55] quite proud the city looked clean, it looked fabulous during the event. So, I

[32:59] just want to say I'm very grateful and very proud of what we managed to

[33:03] accomplish with the Summer Games. And last but not least,

[33:07] Mr. Len Morris, huge appreciation from me that he

[33:12] stepped in partway through the planning for the Summer Games, and

[33:16] he did an absolutely fabulous job. And I just couldn't be any more impressed with

[33:20] him. So, thanks to everybody, and especially Mr. Morris, for pulling it

[33:25] off. Thank you.

[33:28] Councillor Prichard. >> Actually, that's a great transition into

[33:32] what I was going to talk about. So, thank you, Councillor Wheeler, for that.

[33:35] Uh Councillor Wheeler mentioned that, you know, as times on this council,

[33:40] we had a lot of chats about about the games and wondering, you know, it was a

[33:43] big undertaking and whether or not we could pull it off. I was lucky enough to

[33:47] sit on the host committee, and I'll tell you we had a lot of conversations there

[33:50] as well, where we we talked about the same thing.

[33:53] Um I know that we passed,

[33:57] I do want to, you know, acknowledge the success that the games were.

[34:01] Um but they were a success because of people who stepped up and and did the

[34:07] work that needed to happen. And with your permission, Madam Mayor, I'd like

[34:11] to acknowledge some of those people publicly today.

[34:13] » Absolutely. >> Um

[34:15] certainly, it's already been mentioned that

[34:18] our host committee was was chaired by Mr. Len Morris, and Len came in late to

[34:23] the game. And you know, he came in behind the

[34:26] eight ball in terms of things financial and and and some of the organization. He

[34:30] did an absolutely wonderful job in terms of bringing the games to the finish

[34:34] line. I'm very thankful for his work in doing that. Want to thank as well, I

[34:38] guess she became our assistant chair and director of finance, Michelle Payne.

[34:44] So, Michelle really stepped up and and was a huge assistance to Len in in terms

[34:50] of getting the games up and running. Um, I also want to thank the other

[34:54] directors we had on our host committee, Trent Pennell, transportation. Dave

[34:58] Delaney, who was the athletes village and accommodations. Charles Pender,

[35:02] protocols and medal ceremonies. Kelsey Clothier, medical. Uh, Sarah Parsons,

[35:08] who was director for food services and volunteers. Adam Baker, who provided

[35:12] legal advice. Christine House, director of sports and venues. Jason Tarbet,

[35:18] director of security. Uh, Stephen Mercer, director of registration,

[35:21] results and IT. And Cara Pike, who was our secretary. And all of those jobs are

[35:28] uh, full-time jobs on their own. I'll say that.

[35:33] Provide, you know, accommodations and food for 1,600 athletes for a week. It's

[35:38] a lot of work and a lot of organization that goes into it. I also want to want

[35:43] to repeat the appreciation for the city and city

[35:48] staff. Our city manager, I know you've had a lot of conversations with

[35:53] the chair of our committee and and and others. And I know there was a lot of

[35:56] problem-solving behind the scenes at times cuz we were short volunteers in

[36:00] certain places and I appreciate I don't know the strings that were pulled behind

[36:03] the scenes, but I know I know there were things that were happening to move

[36:07] mountains during that week and I really do appreciate that. All of our

[36:10] directors, I know you were involved in multiple conversations. As an example, I

[36:14] texted director O'Brien yesterday while he was hiking Gros Morne and I was also

[36:18] in Gros Morne to see if we could take care of some

[36:21] transportation issues for some Labrador athletes that were left there as well.

[36:25] So, thanks for uh going above and beyond. I think all of our staff did.

[36:29] Our public works staff, our civic center staff, along with Max and Colin, a big

[36:34] shout out to them. Uh the Mary Brown Memorial Centre staff, our recreation

[36:37] staff, uh Ryan and Richard for some of the work that they did in

[36:41] communications. Uh folks, it was the city's games and and city staff really

[36:45] stepped up, took ownership of it, um especially in in in the the closing

[36:49] moments. So, I am very appreciative and I know everybody around this table is

[36:52] appreciative, uh as are our athletes and our our host committee.

[36:57] Um some volunteers, uh we had over 300 volunteers for the the entire games and

[37:03] uh can't thank them all and there's always a risk of doing this, you're

[37:06] going to miss somebody. But some people really really stepped up and uh we

[37:11] wanted to give them a a bit of a shout out here. So, to Dwayne Huxter and

[37:15] Roslyn Leonard, who spent about a week and a half just folding and counting and

[37:20] organizing shirts, uh Trina Sims for organizing the torch runs, Janice

[37:25] Spencer, uh her work on the opening closing ceremonies, uh Sonya Salzen,

[37:30] Corey White, Scott Pierce, Amanda Spears Pierce, Josh Carey, Katherine Morris,

[37:35] Dana Murley, Candy Kennedy, Gavin Dolman, Britney Marsden,

[37:40] uh and the Kinsmen Club were all involved in in in work behind the scenes

[37:44] to pull this off. Big thank you to all of them.

[37:47] Uh I want to give a a special uh thank you as well to our games manager, Cassie

[37:51] Mercer. Cassie was hired on to to work the games, but uh you know, I'll be the

[37:56] first to say she didn't work 40-hour work week. She was pushing 60-70 hours

[38:01] for uh the weeks leading up and and was certainly instrumental in in getting

[38:05] these [clears throat] games over uh yeah, you know, making them the success

[38:09] that they were as well. Just want to give her a shout out.

[38:11] Um I guess I'd like to say a big

[38:14] congratulations as well to the the athletes, coaches, managers, conveners,

[38:19] officials, volunteers, everybody who was involved in making these games a

[38:23] success. It was really you know

[38:26] it was a lot of stress leading up and now that it's done I can sit back and

[38:29] say well I'm really proud of that week and I'm proud of this city and I'm proud

[38:33] of how good it looked. I'm proud of the athletes and and and and the

[38:39] responses and the smiles on their faces. So you know

[38:43] really really good work everybody who was involved. The last thing I'll say

[38:47] and it goes to our you know volunteers but just the the idea of volunteering in

[38:52] general. I'll I'll speak about some of the stress

[38:55] I think we all felt during that week. I spent an hour at Corner Brook Regional

[39:00] High wiping down tables and mopping floors and it was probably the best hour

[39:05] of my week last week because I could people were coming in they were talking

[39:10] about how great the city was how great they were being treated the smiles on

[39:14] their faces. I was talking to coaches I was talking to athletes kids.

[39:18] A lot of them want to come back so I think we really showed showed off the

[39:21] city but there's something really satisfying about I think public service

[39:25] and getting you know your time for an hour or two in support of good cause and

[39:30] I'd certainly encourage all of our you know

[39:35] community members out there. There's a lot of great things happening in the

[39:37] city that doesn't doesn't happen without that volunteer

[39:43] support and there's no better way to I think get involved become part of your

[39:47] community and feel good at the end of the day. So you know big you know

[39:51] encouragement to everybody to get out and volunteer and and take part in the

[39:55] amazing things that are happening in the city of Corner Brook.

[39:58] That's all for me Madam Mayor thank you very much.

[40:00] » Thank you. I think you covered everything.

[40:03] Meeting's over. No I'm just kidding. Councillor Kendell.

[40:07] » Thank you Madam Mayor. Well that's going to be hard to follow.

[40:10] I guess >> I bet you got all your ideas.

[40:12] » ideas gone. I guess uh

[40:15] to follow up on what we all have been saying here tonight, just wanted to

[40:18] thank like all the volunteers, the workers, and individuals that came out

[40:22] not just for the games, but for this for the events that we had over the last,

[40:26] you know, 3 to 4 weeks. So, thank you for coming out. But, yeah, we still have

[40:31] 3 to 4 weeks left. So, there's lots of events still happening. As we mentioned,

[40:36] the port. But, tomorrow is the Gord Hamlon Day at Fox's General Store. So,

[40:41] you can drop by for an ice cream, and our firefighters will be there firing up

[40:45] the grill, and all the supports going for the local toy drive.

[40:51] Uh this Saturday, it's the Enduro Mountain Bike Race. And that's, you

[40:55] know, we have bikers coming in. It's over 100 bikers. And there's a lot of

[40:59] people in town already getting practicing out for these events. So, you

[41:02] know, it's great to see see that in our towns again.

[41:06] Uh the uh

[41:08] August 31st, the Regiment Hockey Game. So, that's going to be great hockey

[41:12] game. It's going to be some great hockey players. It's a great way to start

[41:15] kickstart our hockey season. And finally, you know, it's not finally,

[41:20] but another event, I guess, is Saturday, September 5th, it's a Steep Ultra, which

[41:25] hosts its fifth annual trail running event. Steep Ultra is a registered

[41:29] nonprofit organization and organize organizer of Newfoundland's longest

[41:34] distance ultra-marathon. The course traverses some of Western

[41:39] Newfoundland's most spectacular and challenging terrain, beginning at the

[41:42] Man in the Mountain and passing through Wild Cove, Corner Brook Village, Marble

[41:46] Mountain, and the back country trails leading to Margaret Bowater Park.

[41:50] In addition to the 50-km one-way and the 100-km round-trip races, they introduced

[41:55] a new 50-km relay in 2026 to make the event more accessible and encourage

[42:01] participants from road runners with one leg of course now taking place

[42:05] along a paved roadway. So, that's just to name a few others,

[42:10] and there's lots of other events happening in the park, so

[42:13] please continue, you know, going out and showing your support. So, thank you.

[42:17] » Thank you very much. Uh so, Dean, last Have you got anything

[42:21] left after all that? >> Is there anything left to say, Madam

[42:23] Mayor? >> [laughter]

[42:26] » Well, I would just like to say how grateful we are to the city of Corner

[42:29] Brook, to the various departments, the Civic Center, Rotary Arts Center, the

[42:33] Port, Public Works, Parks and Rec, Corner Brook Fire Department

[42:38] for their unbelievable support for the Master

[42:41] Bowater Ma Me. So, this was our fifth Ma Me here in

[42:45] Corner Brook. It's the first one held at Margaret Bowater Park. It was

[42:48] resoundingly successful. And may I say

[42:52] there is not anyone who would not be impressed with the

[42:57] bathrooms at Margaret Bowater Park on the weekend of Ma Me. They were

[43:01] meticulously clean, and I hold myself to a high standard.

[43:05] So, congratulations to all the staff in the city

[43:09] uh for your great work and continued great work.

[43:13] And I just want to say further to everyone's comments here this evening

[43:17] that everyone who welcomes a person to Corner Brook

[43:22] uh everyone who gives directions to a stranger, who lends a helping hand at an

[43:27] event, who bothers to pick up garbage on the sidewalk is doing something that uh

[43:33] shines our community in in a brighter light. So, you know who you are out

[43:37] there, city of Corner Brook and surrounding areas. Thank you. Get out

[43:42] and enjoy what's left of summer, and I'd like to say to parents

[43:45] two or three weeks left of summer and school starts. So, I know you're getting

[43:49] ready, we're getting ready to uh let's have a safe transition from summer to

[43:54] the school year. That's it for me. Thank you, Madam Mayor.

[43:58] » Well, last but not least, I don't have very much to say here. Uh

[44:04] Councillor Pritchard, you are right. You always forget somebody when you're doing

[44:08] uh when you're doing naming people. I want to throw a bouquet to Steve

[44:12] Prichard, Councillor Prichard. He organized, along with a lot of

[44:17] helpers, our opening and our closing. And I will tell you, it was second to

[44:21] none that what he did to show the athletes a good time. So, I

[44:28] think we should give him a big ROUND OF APPLAUSE.

[44:30] » [applause]

[44:33] » AND WE KNOW YOU DIDN'T DO IT ALONE, BUT YOU WERE FRONT line and center and and

[44:37] the when you came into the room before the meeting and you said

[44:41] the highlight of the games was when all the athletes jumped on the stage at the

[44:45] at the closing and started dancing. Like, it did our hearts good to know

[44:49] that not only did they have a good time, they were still ready after doing all

[44:53] these games to actually have a great party at 2:00 in the afternoon. So,

[44:57] thank you for that, Councillor Prichard. We certainly appreciate it. We're very

[45:00] proud of you as a council to say you went above and beyond. And uh Ian Locke

[45:06] and Trent, they all made it, but it's on your guidance and your recommendation

[45:10] that they actually did this. Yes, we had a great summer and with all

[45:16] the events that come here, uh there's a financial impact on the city.

[45:21] But, I still say we are the best host in Newfoundland and

[45:26] Labrador. And I probably go a little bit further to say Corner Brook is a great

[45:29] host, even better than a lot of places in Canada. And I have attended a good

[45:33] many uh

[45:35] games from here to Vancouver. And let me tell you, our games are are way above

[45:39] and beyond what a lot of people can offer. So, for the financial gain for

[45:43] the city and all the people that came just to be able to smile at the end of

[45:48] it. Can you imagine how many how much milk the athletes drank and how much

[45:52] food they ate in those times? I mean, it's amazing. Cuz I mean, one teenager

[45:57] in the house, you know what you got. Much less 800. So, uh everybody who

[46:03] helped out, it didn't go unnoticed and we certainly thank everyone for it.

[46:08] Thank you very much.

[46:11] Meeting is adjourned.

[46:33] » Thank you very much for all the Milton residents that loved the chocolate milk.

[46:36] Oh my god. Oh my, they brought a load of

Regular Meeting

Transcript