[0:25] Good afternoon everyone. We're not used to having an afternoon meeting and I uh

[0:33] said good morning to quite a few of you. So, I'd like to call to order the

[0:38] regular council meeting of August 17th, 2026.

[0:44] Can I get a motion to approve the agenda, please?

[0:48] It's moved by Councelor Dunovan, second by Councelor Nixon. All in favor?

[0:54] Motion is passed. Uh, have you read the minutes of July 20th, 2026? They're in

[0:59] your package. Are there any errors or omissions?

[1:05] Being none, let it stand approved as read.

[1:09] So we'll move on now to presentations. Uh first up we have Kelty Colors with

[1:15] more and Jason. You want to come to the desk there? Um all I ask is

[1:24] your microphone, the green light is on when you're speaking. uh you have 20

[1:30] minutes for your presentation and for questions and I will start here while

[1:36] you're getting set up for counselors to introduce ourselves to you.

[1:41] » Yeah. Yeah.

[1:52] Good morning and welcome. Um my name is Donna Matis Leford and I cover district

[1:58] 1 which is uh Wadmakok First Nation and Washabuk Peninsula and Buckla. Thanks

[2:03] for coming today. >> Hello welcome. Uh my name is Pa Mloud.

[2:07] District 2 uh Big Bedc Middle River Bedc [clears throat] Inlet Ayansa Yankee line

[2:12] to the bridge of Wakok. >> Hi I'm Nicholson District 3 Bedc area.

[2:18] Welcome.

[2:22] Good afternoon. Rosella Borren, District 4 and that would be like the Saint Anne

[2:27] South Haven up the Northshore area. Thank you. Welcome.

[2:34] » Hi, Tim Donovan. Uh, District 6 from the top of Smokeoky to North Ingenanishes.

[2:39] Welcome. >> Hi, I'm Wanda Henik. I'm from District

[2:42] 8. So that's Dingwall Cape North base at Lawrence and Gapstick. Welcome.

[2:47] And I'm Jackie Organ, district sevens from Northanish down through Neil's

[2:52] Harbor, White Point, Smrook, South Harbor. Welcome.

[2:57] And you can start your presentation for us today.

[3:08] » Good afternoon, wardens, deputy warden, and members of council. Um, thank you

[3:12] for having us. My name is Mora Pcel and this is Jason Jardine and we're the

[3:17] Celtic Colors Festival or co- festival um managers and this year marks the 30th

[3:24] year of Celtic Colors. We're here today to share an update on the 2026 festival

[3:30] which will be running from October 9th to 17th.

[3:34] Um before we get into the details, we just wanted to start by saying thank

[3:38] you. Victoria County approved two grants this year to Celtic Colors. one being

[3:43] the development grant and the other is the operation grant that allows us to

[3:49] provide the nightly shuttle from the festival club to hotels in and around

[3:53] the deck area. Both applications for this fiscal year have been approved and

[3:58] we are very grateful for your continued support and partnership. What we'd like

[4:02] to do today is to show you exactly what that investment translates into the

[4:07] culture and economic impacts of Victoria County and the people. I'll let Jason

[4:12] take you through this year's festival itself and victorious county roll

[4:15] initiation. >> Thanks Mora and thanks everyone for

[4:19] making time for us today. Uh great to get out of Sydney, get up to beautiful

[4:23] Bedc. We had a lovely lunch across the street. Could do that every day.

[4:27] [laughter] >> Yeah.

[4:28] » So thank you. Thank you. Um Mara mentioned uh this marks our 30th year.

[4:34] So, it began way back in uh 1997 when festival co-founders Joela Folds and Max

[4:41] McDonald came up with this brilliant somewhat crazy idea of having an

[4:46] islandwide festival. Um, and from the outside it can look like a big music

[4:51] festival and and it kind of is that and so much more. But the kind of the core

[4:57] goal that they set out to do uh was to generate rural community economic impact

[5:03] um through culture and and that's worked. So since 1997 we estimate that

[5:09] the festival has brought 225 million in direct economic impact to the island.

[5:17] Uh Mara mentioned this marks our 30th. We plan to present 52 concerts and

[5:22] hundreds of cultural events across the island. I think 290 of those other

[5:28] events uh at last count and they're still trickling in. Um and all of this

[5:33] is made possible by many many many people. Uh we partner with over a 100

[5:40] nonprofit organizations and close to 1700 volunteers to make all of this

[5:44] possible.

[5:51] And Celtic colors is more than just an economic driver. It's a reflection of

[5:56] and celebration of the island's hospitality and the cultures that help

[6:00] shape it. So we present Gaelic, Migma, and Acadian traditions through the

[6:06] concerts and all of the cultural experiences, many of which happen here

[6:10] uh in Victoria County. So this year in the county we have 11

[6:16] concerts in 10 venues and that's a list of venues which is a little hard to read

[6:21] on this screen but many familiar names to all of you I'm sure bulletry school

[6:27] culture center gayla college Alexander Graanbell theater uh and many more and

[6:34] beyond those concerts there will be 60 cultural events taking place in the

[6:38] county and those are all the other things those are the workshops and the

[6:42] community meals and the guided hikes, uh, art exhibitions and those types of

[6:47] things. Uh, and of course then there's the deer festival club. So, everybody

[6:52] familiar with the festival club? Ever been to the festival club? Buddy,

[6:57] [laughter] get a couple of nods. Yeah. Um, so the

[7:01] festival club is really the social heart of the festival. That's where artists

[7:05] and audiences get to come together a little more informally as the concerts

[7:10] wind down. Um, for artists, it's a place to meet and reconnect with other

[7:14] artists. And for the audience, it's a place to kind of have a night cap or two

[7:21] and get up on the dance floor and have a have a good time. Uh, it's a pretty

[7:25] magical event that happens every night during the festival. And uh last year we

[7:30] saw approximately 1,700 in attendance over the week uh and brought in close to

[7:36] $30,000 at the door. Um and the success of a club really depends on having

[7:42] people be able to get there and back safely.

[7:46] Uh that of course is the nightly shuttle

[7:51] service which Mora mentioned the operational grant uh that you guys

[7:54] approved goes towards. Um so for every night of the festival we run free

[8:00] transportation 10:30 till 3:30 in the morning uh connecting the Gala College

[8:05] to Bedc Area hotels. Uh and it's it's more than just a free ride. It really is

[8:11] uh an important service. It's a public safety measure first and foremost. It

[8:17] keeps people off of those dark roads and it acts as everybody's designated

[8:21] driver. Uh we know from when we chat to people

[8:25] about their plans and it really encourages a lot of people to stay here

[8:28] in the deck so that they can kind of be centrally located, fill their days with

[8:33] festival things and know that they have a hassle-free way to get to and from the

[8:37] club and it just removes a barrier to participating uh and people don't have

[8:43] to travel that dark and twisty road as I'm sure everybody's familiar with that

[8:47] route to Mala College. Uh so thank you very much for recognizing the importance

[8:52] of that service and supporting it and uh I will pass it back to Mara and

[8:57] Mara's going to talk a bit about kind of the numbers behind Cultic Colors.

[9:03] » So when we look at the impact the festival has to Victoria County, we're

[9:08] looking at 2025 numbers. So we held 12 concerts here last year and there was um

[9:14] almost $3,000 attendees. that generated $112,000

[9:18] and the hosting organizations get 20% of that back. And then there was in 2025

[9:26] there was 60 CCEES which was up substantially over 2024.

[9:31] Um so there was $61,000 that or $67,000 that was returned to the ccees. They

[9:38] keep 100% of their money that is generated. We just work as an an

[9:41] advertising engine for those events. and almost 6,000 people attended community

[9:46] cultural events in 2025 and that was all made possible by the

[9:50] Victoria um by volunteers in Victoria County. There was 207. So that's just

[9:56] the snap snapshot of this county. When you look at the whole island, it's

[10:01] hundreds and hundreds of events that bring people from all over the world to

[10:06] experience our wonderful island. Um,

[10:11] yeah. So, last year we did something really interesting with Sports Tourism

[10:16] Canada. They did a survey to measure the economic impact of all um festivals in

[10:24] Nova Scotia. So, they were comparing apples to apples for where everybody

[10:28] came out. And it Celtic Colors did come out as the largest festival in Nova

[10:33] Scotia. And we generated $18.2 2 million in economic activity for Nova Scotia and

[10:39] 15.8 of that state in Cape Breton. Um so and it supports 143 local jobs.

[10:49] More than 9,000 people from off the island visited Cape Breton and they

[10:53] averaged they average they stay for six nights um which you can see when you go

[11:00] around anywhere in the island during the festival. Hotels are full fully booked,

[11:04] restaurants are jammed, and everybody's out at having a drink and having a good

[11:10] time. Um, and so when you realize how much of the programming takes place in

[11:16] and around PDC, a meaningful share of that spending

[11:20] happens here in Victoria County.

[11:25] So, we don't just do the festival for the nine days. Um, we also have a

[11:30] schools program that we run all year. And so we're just going to look at what

[11:34] the schools program did in Victoria County. Um, in 2025 we were able to

[11:39] reach 628 students. We ran a fiddle club at Cape Smoky Elementary and we had

[11:45] guitar workshops at Cabbage High and seven schools in Victoria County were

[11:51] visited. this um so the festival artists go out and do this um and

[11:59] programming is given in Gaelic, French, Migma and English and they and the work

[12:04] extends beyond the festival and brings Celtic culture to the next generation

[12:11] and allows for the festival to continue to grow and have those culture bearsers

[12:16] coming up and leading this festival.

[12:23] So when we look at how we make this all happen, there's a lot of festival

[12:26] partners that come together to support um support us. So we received 437

[12:34] $434,000 from the federal government from both

[12:37] AOA and Canadian Heritage. The provincial government gives us 165,000

[12:42] and then we generate about $1.2 million. So we have a total budget of one 2.1

[12:48] million and most of that money stays in Cape Breton being spent on venues,

[12:54] artist fees, accommodations, local crews and suppliers. We do make an extra

[12:59] effort to spend as much as we can on island to support the economy here.

[13:05] So wanted to say thank you for having us

[13:10] and supporting the festival. It really does mean a lot and hope we can continue

[13:15] to do interesting things together in the future.

[13:19] » Thank you. Does anyone have any comments or questions for for them? I mean, it's

[13:25] a great it's a great program. I'm sure some of us have seen your seen

[13:31] all the things going on in our own communities.

[13:35] So, >> just

[13:38] Deputy W go. Oh, thank you so much for coming and since I'm here like at nine

[13:42] years now, it's it's amazing how the festival grow every year. So, we're um

[13:47] I'm proud to we can support you and for the shuttle. Yeah, you're right. It's a

[13:52] huge help for for us and for the residents and for the tourists because

[13:57] that way they have the freedom to enjoy and come back safe. So, I think that a

[14:02] main key of the festival because success because they can travel and come back to

[14:07] the hotels. Thank you,

[14:12] » councelor Henick. >> Just wanted to say congratulations on 30

[14:16] years. That's a, you know, good, you know,

[14:21] organization festival for 30 years in Victoria County. It's wonderful. I

[14:24] already got my ticket for ASB Bay. So, >> yeah, thank you very much for coming.

[14:31] » Anyone else? Okay, council Nicholson,

[14:35] » I just like to say on in the bedc area, it's jammed. There's not another space

[14:40] anywhere for the whole time. It's an awesome event.

[14:43] » Yeah, it's impressive to see >> even even for us because we we have

[14:48] partnerships with many of the hotels here and they're very generous with us.

[14:52] So, we kind of block our rooms in advance because people book them year

[14:55] after year, right? Um, so we have our little block that's safe and we kind of

[15:00] zip through those pretty fast and then we reach out. We're like, "Yeah, we

[15:04] can't help you. We have nothing left." It's like, "Okay, all right." So, even

[15:09] we feel that crunch. Yeah. >> Okay. Thank you very much.

[15:15] » Thank you. >> Thank you.

[15:24] Next up, we have Easter District Planning Commission Sean Dunovan. Hi,

[15:29] Sean.

[16:11] You're all set up there. Sean,

[16:19] » Sean, is your mic on? Is the green light on?

[16:21] » There. There we go. >> There you go.

[16:23] » Um, yeah. Yeah. So, just a few slides, but I was asked to come and just provide

[16:28] more of an information session on the dangerous and unsightly premises that we

[16:32] deal with with district planning. Um, there has been some changes recently

[16:35] with regards to them, just kind of our internal procedures and who's involved

[16:40] with them now. And so, the purpose of this presentation is just to kind of

[16:44] give a little information on where we're at with them. Nothing on specific files.

[16:49] Um, I do ask if you have any questions with specific files or anything, give me

[16:53] a call. Um, I'm the main point of contact. So, a lot of times now calls

[16:59] will come into our main office or come to John. Um, and then they all get sent

[17:03] to me and then it's reversed. So, if uh if there is any questions or concerns on

[17:09] files or properties or anything, you can just reach directly out to me, my cell

[17:13] phone, email, anything. Um because I'll have access to every right away instead

[17:19] of sending emails back and forth to try and figure out who's where properties

[17:22] are. So, um, so yeah. Um, the big thing with district planning now is that on

[17:29] our website, we have a spot that allows constituents to submit their complaint

[17:35] forms. So, in previous years, it was always a paper copy. Um, we'd have to

[17:41] send the file, we'd have to email the PDF, fill it out, send it back, and then

[17:45] there'd be times people would be dropping them off to municipal offices

[17:49] or dropping them off to counselors or get faxing them into our Hawkbury office

[17:53] or any of our other municipal offices or emails and it was kind of they were

[17:59] here, there, everywhere and trying to keep track of them all. So to simplify

[18:03] that now we have uh right on our website you can go so if anyone's contacting you

[18:08] asking about how to submit a form you can direct them right to our website um

[18:12] there's a section there under building and fire and on the right hand side

[18:16] it'll bring you to this for the dangerous and unsightly complaints and

[18:20] they can fill all the information out there. Then it gets automatically

[18:23] submitted to an email address that we've created and with our new administrative

[18:27] assistant Stephanie it goes right to her. So there's no lost in the shuffle

[18:33] anymore. No fax complaints or dropped off complaints or email complaints that

[18:37] are going to junk mail or anything like that. They go right to a specific

[18:40] complaints email address. We get them right away. And now that Stephanie's

[18:45] brought into the fold. Um they're acted upon in our new kind of procedures much

[18:51] quicker, much more efficient. So this is what it kind of looks like. Anyone that

[18:55] wants to submit it can submit it there. I know in the past we've received a lot

[18:59] of complaints that have had pictures and different things and it's just easier

[19:02] now to just put everything in, the complaintant puts their name on it. Um,

[19:08] again, nothing's changed with the confidentiality of them or anything.

[19:11] It's just an easier function to go to our website and submit them.

[19:16] So in [clears throat] that now when we

[19:20] receive them by email we've moved into I know most of you have realized at

[19:24] district planning we've created or we've recently done a organizational review

[19:29] and part of that organizational review that I've dealt with was the dangerous

[19:32] and unsightly complaints process. So since that review we've moved into this

[19:38] is our town suite permit tracking system. We've always used this for

[19:42] building and fire inspections side. It's our main point of inspections, files,

[19:48] everything. Um, all the photos for inspections, everything go in there. So,

[19:53] I've worked with Town Suite over the last few weeks and we've now created the

[19:57] bylaw section. So, once these complaints are submitted, they go to the email

[20:03] address. Our administrative assistant, Stephanie, now receives them right away.

[20:08] She lets the complaintant know that we've received the the complaint. She

[20:11] has a you'll see in a later slide um we've created a a letter that goes out

[20:18] immediately. So she's submitting that right away. Um so that's going out to

[20:22] the property owners right after we receive it. Um and then everything's

[20:26] going into our town suite permit tracking system. So in that system, this

[20:33] is just a a snippet of what kind of it looks like. Um, so Stephanie will

[20:38] receive it, put it in, creates a file, puts the complaint form in, puts her

[20:43] remarks in when it was received, and then she's basically letting me know,

[20:47] and we're assigning a building official to visit the property and start the

[20:50] process, and then she sends the letter out. The letter goes in here. You'll

[20:54] see, I know it's hard to see, but there's a document section there. Um,

[20:59] excuse me. So, the letter, the complaint form, anything that comes with it goes

[21:04] in there. And then one of the functions that I'm working on, you'll see in the

[21:09] bottom rightish there's a add process. So we're able to add processes of um

[21:16] where the files going. So initial letters been

[21:20] sent, site visit needs to be done within 14 days, all of these things. So then

[21:24] it's allow like we can then use this system to track them where it's at,

[21:29] what's been done so far. So it's a much more efficient way of doing it. Um, so

[21:33] we're still ironing out some kinks with the town suite system and their IT

[21:37] department on it, but it's so far it's been working good. New complaints have

[21:42] been going in. Stephanie's able to keep track of it. She's doing updates

[21:46] monthly. Um, but again, it's all new since the organizational review and

[21:50] that's kind of where we're going now. So, the new letter that we have that

[21:55] we've created, um, previously we would send a letter just saying we've received

[21:59] a complaint. Can you please contact us? Um, so this letter has a little bit more

[22:03] bite, a little more time frame. Um, we're asking that they contact within 14

[22:08] days of receiving the letter. All letters are going out registered mail so

[22:11] we can track them whether they're received or not. And Stephanie's a big

[22:15] part of that because that's the administrative work. That's a lot with

[22:18] these ones that you know once she receives a complaint, it goes in town

[22:22] suite. It's just the next step is get this letter done, fill out the property

[22:25] information, send it out. And a lot of them a lot of them these days are

[22:31] getting returned recently. Um so we're using the tax department a lot. Um we're

[22:36] kind of the next step that Stephanie moves into if there's a letter gets

[22:40] returned is that we contact the tax office and sometimes we've had good

[22:44] luck. Other times it's the same address that they have that we have that they

[22:47] have. Um but sometimes we luck out and there's a phone number or an email

[22:50] address on file and we use that. Um, we've had some success recently for a

[22:56] property in Iona that the letter was returned,

[23:01] contacted the tax office, we ended up getting an email address, we took a

[23:04] shot, within a day, the owner contacted us, within another day, the property was

[23:08] cleaned up. So, we have had some success with the tax department on that and

[23:13] lucking out to have contact information. But this letter,

[23:18] we've had a lot more in the ones that recently since we started doing this

[23:22] property owners contacting us right away after receiving this letter. So, and

[23:25] that opens up the initial conversation with the property owner and with the our

[23:29] number one goal of getting compliance. It's sometimes when they receive a

[23:34] letter or an order right away, it starts the process off very salty. So, having

[23:40] this conversation, being able to say, "Hey, this is what it is and this is

[23:43] what we're looking to do. can we meet you on the property? We've already

[23:46] visited, but can we meet you there? And and then get this process started. And

[23:50] then it kind of leads to our overall goal of having that owner compliance and

[23:54] working with the owners to complete the necessary work. So that's our number one

[23:58] step. Um so when when I talk about that owner compliance, that's our number one

[24:02] goal. I mean, obviously to have the property owner complete the necessary

[24:07] work. That's what we're shooting for. Or that's why the purpose of that letter is

[24:11] to get that contact to have that conversation to work with them to get

[24:15] it. So then it keeps it out of you know tenders and municipality paying a bunch

[24:19] of money to have this work completed where if we can have that conversation

[24:23] with the property owner and say hey listen like this is what we need. You

[24:26] know what's a time frame that you think you could be there? And unfortunately a

[24:31] lot of some of these owners are not around. So we're also dealing with them

[24:37] out of pro province that are trying to deal with family members to get there

[24:40] and we've done that where we've met family members on the property walk

[24:44] through and tried to say you know let's get this done in the next 30 days and if

[24:48] you get that done let's move to this. So that's kind of the overall goal of that

[24:53] letter is to open up that line of communication and and have the property

[24:57] owner understand listen we've got complaints you know this is where we're

[25:01] at. this is what we'd like to see and and so far in the ones that we've

[25:05] received recently and started this process with it's been good success. So

[25:10] with that previous files that's where Steph's at now is she's trying to move

[25:14] these in here to get them caught up and get the processes

[25:18] started and these where time frames going on the older files where we've had

[25:22] them just in a in our share drive basically. So we're we're slowly moving

[25:26] those in. Obviously, summer's a busy time for us with the building inspection

[25:30] side of thing. It's the construction side. So, my guys are flat out right now

[25:34] going everywhere is for building and summer vacation. So,

[25:38] Steph is back and she's working on getting all those ones back in. But any

[25:41] anything new in the last probably month and a half that's come in has been going

[25:45] into town suite and has been in this process. And in most municipalities,

[25:49] we've been having good success with it. So, it's just a step forward in this

[25:53] process of unsightly to track it efficiently, not have anything fall

[25:58] through the crack, not have a complaint form misplaced or anything, and then not

[26:04] only update the property owners, but to be able to have staff immediately say,

[26:08] "Yes, thank you. We've received your complaint. Any up further updates,

[26:12] please contact me." So, it's a little easier that way for us. Um, and then

[26:17] obviously I'm sure everyone's well aware that we we have the right to issue those

[26:21] cleanup orders and those are those are the ones that come in when there has

[26:25] been cases we've dealt with property owners that they just don't want

[26:29] anything to do with it. So, as administrators, we have the right to

[26:33] issue the cleanup orders. Um, they don't have to come from council. They can come

[26:36] directly from us. We have those drafted. We can post those. The only way they

[26:41] come to council is if they're appealed. So, they have that right to appeal it.

[26:45] If it's appealed, it basically shuts the cleanup order down until it appears

[26:49] before council. Um, demolition orders, those are the same. Those we don't we

[26:55] can't issue. Um, we recommend and then it comes to council. They have the

[27:00] opportunity to speak. We come and do our presentation and then it's council's

[27:04] decision whether they want to issue that order or allow more time in some cases.

[27:10] Um, but at the end of the day, the property owner does have the right to

[27:12] appear before those. So, that's kind of where we're at with unsightlys right

[27:18] now. It has we've moved in since the organizational rem review, we've moved

[27:23] into this process where we're using we've updated our town suite system.

[27:28] We've put that to use. We've tried to move it similar into the building

[27:32] inspection side, but it's a much more efficient way. And I think moving

[27:36] forward, it's going to be very helpful with these. Um, but every unsightly I

[27:42] can say I've been a part of for the last 15 years has been different. There

[27:47] hasn't been one that's been the same. You're dealing with different owners,

[27:51] different properties, demolitions, cleanup. Sometimes you're dealing with a

[27:56] property that someone might think's unsightly, but according to the MGA,

[28:00] it's not. It might be tacky, but it's not unsightly. And we've had a lot of

[28:06] those properties. And sometimes it's hard to hear for a complaintant that,

[28:10] you know, keeps their yard immaculate and doesn't like wishing wells and

[28:14] gnomes and garden sheds and everything on their property. But at the end of the

[28:17] day, we have to go by the municipal government act. And um but yeah, so

[28:22] everyone like we go into it with the mindset that we want to work with the

[28:28] property owners. We want to get owner compliance. Obviously that doesn't

[28:32] happen every time, but um that's kind of our goal where we're at with them. Now,

[28:37] having Steph on board is massive for us right now because the administrative

[28:42] work is taken care of and it's much more efficient as far as you submit the

[28:46] complaint, it goes into our system. within seven days we have someone on

[28:49] site to visit it. You're getting notified that you've received it. So,

[28:53] it's not like, "Hey, I submitted this complaint. I have no idea where it's

[28:56] at." And then it's a point of contact as

[29:00] well. Same with me. But more for the complaintant to say, "Okay, now I have

[29:04] Steph's contact. I can contact her and say, "Hey, where's it going?" Um, and

[29:08] then with Townite as well, those requirements, they give notifications.

[29:13] So every month we can print it off and say, "Okay, what's where are we at with

[29:16] all these Victoria County complaints and it'll print off a

[29:20] report and say you have to hit this one, this one, this one." So it should be

[29:25] much more efficient moving forward. Obviously, it's not an overnight thing,

[29:28] but um and we do have to get caught up on the existing files that aren't in

[29:31] there, but um I am looking forward to having this process be a more efficient

[29:36] one with complaints. Um, but yeah, that's kind of what I had as far as an

[29:42] update from us and information with Dangerous and Unsightly. Um, the biggest

[29:47] thing is, like I said, every file is different. Sometimes you're dealing with

[29:52] homeowners that have are deceased and you have no one. You're trying to find a

[29:56] family member. A lot of times in the rural areas, you're dealing with

[29:59] property owners that are out of province that have no idea. They've been left

[30:04] this property. They've never been to it. Um, so everyone is, as much as I'd like

[30:09] to say, and I tell this when I talk to complaints is that as much as I'd like

[30:13] to say, hey, it'll be done next week, it's it's not reality. It's it they do

[30:18] take time and some have taken a lot of time. But it's uh you know when we're in

[30:22] a situation trying to work with them and they're contacting us and they're

[30:26] they're being open in their dialogue with it, we do tend to work with them

[30:30] cuz a lot of these cases, especially the more so the cleanups and the

[30:36] demolitions, but um you're dealing with mental health and hoarders and different

[30:41] things that you know people that are trying to make a living and what some

[30:45] people might see as junk and rubbish and everything else. to that person, it's an

[30:49] income, right? So, we do try and have that in the back of mind going in when

[30:53] we're dealing with property owners is have that compassion a bit. Um, but we

[30:58] also have a lot of teeth when it comes to dangerous slightly. So, we always

[31:03] said, and John Bane always kind of reiterates this as well, is a bad day

[31:08] for us is is a bad day, but when you're going and tearing down a 100-year-old

[31:12] family home, it's a bad day for someone, too. So, we do air on that side of

[31:16] compassion with people. But, so, yeah, that's kind of where we're at with this.

[31:21] Um, like I said, I didn't bring anything with specific files for this. This was

[31:25] more of a update and information on where we're at with dangerous unsightly

[31:28] process with district planning. Um, but like I said, you have my number, you

[31:33] have my email. I'm always available and if there's specific questions on

[31:37] specific files, I'm the point of contact. So, it's easier just to call me

[31:42] or email me and then I can go uh if if I'm not aware of it now that Steph's

[31:47] brought in, I can get the update very quickly. So,

[31:51] yeah. Is there any questions? >> Go ahead, Councelor Maxport or just

[32:00] » Yes.

[32:09] » Excellent. I shoot that off to them and boom, done. Love it. Fact, I can do it

[32:12] in a text message, email, anyway. >> That's right.

[32:14] » It's really convenient. >> It is. And it's the complaint form that

[32:18] the PDF copy has changed over the years and sometimes you'd be receiving them

[32:22] and it's like a complaint form from 10 years ago that is not the most current

[32:27] one. Right. So, this is very with technology today and like you said, you

[32:31] could text that link and they can do it right on their smartphone. So, it's it

[32:34] is more efficient that way.

[32:39] Councelor Warren. >> Hi Sean. Hi. We haven't met.

[32:43] » No, just talked. >> We've talked from District 4. Y

[32:46] » and I know we've communicated quite a bit over the last year with um a

[32:50] particular file. >> Yep.

[32:51] » And I probably will let you know that there's several people watching.

[32:55] » Y >> because there's

[32:58] major concerns still with one particular file in our in our district.

[33:01] » Y >> and I will chat with you afterwards on

[33:04] that because I know there is some privacy and all that stuff with that. So

[33:07] that's fine. But going back to your the new system, um you said that the

[33:13] existing files will get moved into this new system,

[33:16] » correct? >> Is there a timeline on that because I

[33:19] think maybe the some of these files got lost potentially through that system.

[33:25] » Yeah. So that that's kind of where our old system was. We had like every county

[33:28] had a file and it was on our shared drive and everything, but there was

[33:32] really unless you were going looking, there was no notification system for

[33:35] that. So, this is what Town Suite allows us to do is to put a file in, put what's

[33:41] been happening, and then set a requirement to say, "Okay, this has to

[33:45] happen in the next 14 days, and if it doesn't, you're going to get notified

[33:47] for it." So, it's not just going to get in there and just get left there. Um,

[33:51] so, like I said, Summer's been really busy with inspections and building and

[33:56] summer vacations. So, Steph has that on her to-do list and she'll be picking

[34:01] away at that. So, I'm going to hope in the next month or so all the old files

[34:05] will be in. >> Excellent. So, then with the new system,

[34:08] another question that I have is will the person that's sent in the complaint

[34:13] » Y >> does that generate a file number

[34:16] automatically and do they get that that they could refer back to that file

[34:20] number as when they're calling in? um like I I think that's missing like

[34:25] there's a gap of information potentially missing and so you know they reach out

[34:31] to counselors to be yeah they're missing so they're like that's you know they're

[34:35] the the residents that that make the complaint

[34:37] » right >> um I feel like they're getting

[34:41] frustrated because they're not getting anyone to follow up with uh the

[34:45] complaints except if it goes through counselors which I definitely don't have

[34:49] a problem with that I think all of us deal with that quite often And but I

[34:53] think there's a missing piece of communication.

[34:57] » Well, when you talk about a file number, that's what so the permit tracking

[35:00] system on the building side, it gives you a permit number. So when we put

[35:04] something in town suite now for Unsightly, it does create a file number.

[35:09] So it kind of got my wheels turning where

[35:12] when Stephanie does respond back to the complaint and who submitted to say, I

[35:16] think you received your complaint. we could add the file number to it. So then

[35:21] when they want to contact us, they can list off a file number. Typically right

[35:25] now it's more just they're giving us the property, the civic number if there is

[35:29] one or the area or the if they know the property owner, but a file number would

[35:34] be very easy just to put in that email and say thank you for it. files been

[35:37] created viant

[35:41] because then they feel I mean like it it takes a lot of like for someone to put

[35:46] their name out there to even to do the complaint because they could be friends,

[35:50] their neighbors, their community members. So I think there needs to be

[35:53] that part of it. I think that's where there's some community frustration is

[35:56] when they're left out of that piece. >> Um you know when they're there to

[36:00] support as well. They're not just there to complain.

[36:03] » That's right. So, um, we got to look at their their point of view. I guess

[36:07] that's where I'm coming. >> The confidentiality that that's a big

[36:09] thing that you bring up and we always explain that that, you know, you are

[36:14] putting your name on it. Um, you know, we do our best for confidentiality. We

[36:18] don't say who the complaint is, but a lot of these rural areas, you know, it

[36:22] could be a neighbor and you're only the two houses on that rural road, right?

[36:27] So, >> sure,

[36:28] » they say, "Yes, I get it that it's confidential, but who else is going to

[36:31] be complaining about this?" So that does air on that side. Um so I do see that

[36:35] was concerns but um yeah we have nothing that's like other than to say we've

[36:42] received your complaint and at the end to say that it's been complied with or

[36:48] in some cases if we go there and it's not dangerous and unsightly we will send

[36:52] the information then everything after that is on the complaint if they want an

[36:56] update to contact us. So when we send that initial contact to say that we've

[37:01] received it, I think we move forward with creating that file number in our

[37:06] system and saying here's the file number for future updates. Please contact this

[37:10] number for this spot. >> Great. Can you walk us through from the

[37:14] new system from when they um first uh put in the complaint to when

[37:20] the case would potentially be closed? What what do you see as a time frame and

[37:23] what is >> 6 months, 8 months, a year? That's the

[37:27] That's the hard part. Like I wish I could give you a number. Um but the

[37:31] problem is is when we receive a complaint,

[37:34] » it goes in our system. We send that letter.

[37:38] » Sometimes that letter is not returned to us from the post office. If it's not

[37:41] received by registered mail for two to three weeks and then we have to go down

[37:46] the avenue of okay, is there a phone number? Is there an email? Can we get

[37:50] something to contact this person or what's our next step? And then it's if

[37:55] they do receive that letter and they contact us, then like I said, every file

[38:01] is different. What's what's the avenue here? Is it a bunch of derelike

[38:05] vehicles? Is it just two bags of garbage that they're complaining about? Is it

[38:09] five houses on the property that have to come down? So, as much as I could I'd

[38:14] like to say it's a two month, three month, six month process, it's it's hard

[38:18] to put that number on a file depending on

[38:22] one the contact. Did we get a hold of them? Did they get a hold of us? Two,

[38:27] what's on the property? And then owner compliance, like are they

[38:32] working with us? And I mean, if we're getting, say, for a property that's got

[38:36] a whole bunch of junk on it, if they contact us and they start cleaning it,

[38:40] then we give them time frames of like, okay, we need this, this, this done by

[38:44] this. And if they get that done, then we say, okay, well, now it's this, this,

[38:47] and this for this. And those are usually when it's clean up, it's always like 14

[38:52] days or 30 days. Those are the time frames that we stick with. So again, I'd

[38:57] love to be able to tell you it's a 6 month or 3-month process, but it's just

[39:00] unrealistic depending on what the case is. I mean, some of them are a oneweek

[39:05] process. Complaint in, send a letter, they contact us,

[39:11] sorry, I, you know, I meant to clean all that up. Two days later, I get an email

[39:14] and it's done. So, [sighs] it's uh it's varied case by case and the severity of

[39:20] the case depends on the time frame and then you get into other issues where is

[39:25] it one property owner, is it another property owner, is it a list of family

[39:30] members that are on this property that have been, you know, their parents have

[39:33] passed away and they've given it to five siblings and now, you know, they live

[39:38] everywhere in the country and you're trying to track down all of them. So,

[39:43] I would love to say it's a certain time frame, but I just unfortunately in these

[39:47] cases I can't. And that's the that's the nature of the beast when it comes to

[39:50] these complaint files is that they are all different when it comes to them.

[39:55] » Great. Thank you. And I'll follow up with that one

[39:58] » particular case. Thank you. >> Are you warden?

[40:02] » Thank you, Sean. Uh just I have understand uh they go to the building

[40:06] fire and then the form. in the form they can uh upload pictures. Is there

[40:12] pictures or just >> No, no pictures. No. Um

[40:16] » it's uh it's just the information >> and then you contact them.

[40:19] » Yeah. So when you're on that >> So it's right there. So in the message

[40:23] you can write your description. So basically like the the old paper

[40:27] complaint form was. Now some pictures we would receive people would print them

[40:32] off and attach them with it. >> Okay. In the form, but if they do it

[40:35] online, it's just It's just information, property

[40:39] information, because it's hard. We would never base our opinion off a picture

[40:43] that's been emailed to us because we don't know where that picture's been

[40:46] taken from. Is it exactly that property? So, until we actually visit the property

[40:50] and do our own photos, those are the ones we use.

[40:52] » As a consor, we don't have to sign it either or any letter, nothing. Okay.

[40:57] Great. Thanks. >> Any other questions for Shaw?

[41:04] No, not being any. Thank you very much. >> No problem. Thank you for having me. And

[41:08] like I said, uh any questions at all, contact my cell phone or shoot me an

[41:13] email. I'm on the road a lot these days. And so I'll get back to you as soon as I

[41:18] can if I don't pick up. But um yeah, the way the system is now, we can provide an

[41:23] update quickly. So great. Thank you very much.

[41:52] and the next one is Bedc Nordic. Uh they're not here right now, so we're

[41:58] going to jump ahead until she gets here. We're going to do council highlights

[42:03] your districts. We'll start with councelor Matson Lefor.

[42:10] Thank you, Gordon. uh district 1 report on July 31st. I was

[42:15] pleased to attend the clan McNeel day. So I got to be a McNeel for

[42:20] a day at St. Columba Paris Center in Iona at the invitation of Clan McNeel

[42:25] President Patricia McNeel and it was a wonderful afternoon connecting with

[42:28] McNeel family members who I knew there were many um from near and far and

[42:34] enjoying great music from Susan Mlan and Kai Udby and celebrating Cape Breton

[42:39] heritage and community. A sincere thank you to the many volunteers who made the

[42:43] event such a success. And just put out there, Clan McNeil warmly welcomes

[42:48] anyone interested in connecting with their McNeel heritage because they're

[42:52] willing to look it up for you. There were people there from Ontario and PEI

[42:56] and far away. So, it was a fun day. Um, one other notification for my area is

[43:04] the Wadmakook Pow-Wow is coming up. That will be September 12th and the 13th and

[43:09] municipal employees and I will be there again this year with our coffee and tea

[43:13] tent. So stop by and say hello and enjoy a cup with us. Everyone is welcome.

[43:20] And I do have one motion again with my that's the end of my district report.

[43:25] The motion is on municipal travel expense policy review and amendment.

[43:31] So it's one of those whereas therefore so give me one second here. Um whereas

[43:36] the municipality of the county of Victoria has a municipal travel expense

[43:41] policy governing travel and mileage expenses incurred in the course of

[43:45] municipal business. And whereas counselors have been advised that

[43:49] mileage incurred within their own electoral district is not eligible for

[43:53] reimbursement and whereas the authority for this restriction has not been

[43:58] identified. Therefore, be it resolved that the um CAO be directed to number

[44:05] one, review the municipal travel expense policy, including its historical

[44:10] amendments and related council resolutions

[44:13] respecting counselor travel and mileage. Number two,

[44:18] identify and report the authority for the restriction on mileage incurred by

[44:21] counselors within their own electoral district, including any applicable

[44:24] policy provision, council resolution, administered directive, or other

[44:28] documented authority. Review the corresponding travel and

[44:33] mileage practices of comparable Nova Scotia municipalities

[44:37] and prepare proposed amendments to the municipal travel expense policy and

[44:42] present them to either the September 8th, 2026 committee of the whole meeting

[44:47] or the September 21st, 2026 council meeting for council's consideration.

[44:53] There's a motion on the table. Do I have a seconder?

[44:58] Second by council. All in favor? >> Do we have any discussion or

[45:03] » no discussion then? >> No. Sorry.

[45:06] » No. I just thought in case anybody wanted to ask any or the new counselors.

[45:12] So, it's all in favor of motion will be carried.

[45:17] Okay. We're going to go back to our

[45:21] presentations. Miss Eileen Woodford, come to the table. Thank you.

[45:27] » Uh I'm going to tell you you have 20 minutes.

[45:30] » Yes. >> For your presentation and questions

[45:34] and your mic there as long as little you push the button for the little green

[45:38] light to come on and that means your mic is on.

[45:41] » The green is on now. >> Okay.

[45:45] I've got the counselors to introduce ourselves to you. Uh good I want to say

[45:51] good morning again. Good afternoon. My name is Donna Matis Leor. I'm district

[45:56] number one which includes Wadmakook First Nation uh Washabuk Peninsula and

[46:01] everything in between. >> Thank you.

[46:03] » Nice to meet you Donna. Nice to meet you.

[46:06] » Welcome Elen Pa Mloud District 2 Big Bak River Bedc Inlet Nansa Yankee line to

[46:12] the bridge to Wakov. Thank you for >> Ian Nicholson District 3 Bed. Welcome.

[46:21] » Thank you Ian. >> Welcome. We've met Rosella Borne,

[46:25] District 4. Nice. Nice to see you again. >> Good afternoon. Uh Tim Donovan, District

[46:31] 6 from Smokeoky to Northish. >> Okay.

[46:35] » Nice to meet you, Tim. >> Janoon. I'm Wanda Henik. I'm in district

[46:39] 8. That's Dingwall, Cape North, Sherlock, Basin, Lawrence, and Capstick.

[46:42] » Nice to meet you, Wanda. [clears throat] >> And I'm Jackie Organ, district 7 from

[46:47] Northadesh to Dingwall. >> Nice to meet you as well, Jackie.

[46:51] » Go ahead. >> Okay. So, thank you for the opportunity

[46:54] to uh speak to you this afternoon. Um, Bedc Nordic is requesting $2,900

[47:01] uh to support operations for our coming season. And I'm going to tell you a

[47:05] little bit about our club um and why we're making the request.

[47:12] I get to push the button here.

[47:23] I'm used to a mouse. [clears throat]

[47:28] Thank you. A little bit cut off there. Uh so, as I say, pictures are worth a

[47:33] thousand words. Here are some pictures submitted by members during a photo

[47:38] contest we had at the end of our season this year. Uh you can see we have a

[47:42] variety of terrain. Um, you can see some people on snowshoes and on skis. And we

[47:49] have some lovely wooded areas in our little piece of paradise at 1085 Bibc

[47:54] Road.

[48:05] So, who we are and what we do, um, we're a volunteer-led nonprofit organization.

[48:11] we formed in December of 2022 and that was based on a number of community

[48:16] meetings we had over the previous year and a half. There's a long history of

[48:21] crosscountry skiing and snowshoeing in bedc and there was a very active club

[48:25] back about 35 years ago called Bedcan area ski club. It was one of 10 uh

[48:31] crosscountry ski and snowshoe clubs in Cape Bratton at the time. And some of

[48:35] you may remember the uh famous Cape Bratton Lopet series which was uh an

[48:40] event that lots of clubs hosted u with up to 200 people in attendance. Um it

[48:47] was kind of a fun event. Some people raced, some just went for for the

[48:51] scenery and for the outing. So we manage a for now a 14 kilometer

[48:58] trail nestled at the foot of the highlands uh below Katus Mountain in Big

[49:03] Badc at 1085 West Side Bedc Road. Um we are thankful to our very generous land

[49:09] owner who has given us access to the land, Dr. Mary Doyle. And um she has let

[49:16] us not only use her land, she's let us cut trails, renovate trails, improve

[49:20] drainage, um make a trail head, make a parking lot. Um she's been very, very

[49:26] supportive. And our mission is to promote

[49:29] cross-country skiing and snowshoeing for all ages and abilities. Um, and we know

[49:35] that being act active in the outdoors, there's lots of research to say that

[49:41] it's good for physical, mental, emotional, and social health. And, um,

[49:45] we're fostering uh, active living uh, as well. Um, and there's also a big factor

[49:53] here in terms of supporting tourism and economic development,

[49:58] especially in the offse.

[50:07] Okay. So, we know that Cape Breton um is becoming and is a premier winter

[50:12] destination. Um we believe as part of one of three cross country and snowshoe

[50:19] trails in Victoria County that we've kind of added to that in our four

[50:24] seasons of operation. Um, we've been told anecdotally by members and visitors

[50:30] alike that if they're coming from other parts of the island or they're coming

[50:34] from other parts of Nova Scotia and other provinces that they're coming for

[50:38] experiences and if they're going to make more than one day of it, they'll often

[50:43] take in as much as they can. Uh, people tend to travel in family groups or other

[50:48] groups and there are different interests among those members of those groups. So,

[50:53] they may start at North Highland Nordic. They may uh ski Cape Smokeoky the next

[50:58] day. They may head to Bedc um and ski at Bedc. They may go to ski Benon. They may

[51:04] rent a snowmobile or bring their own snowmobile and ride the uh beautiful

[51:09] snowmobile trails in Victoria County and Inesse County. Um we've modeled uh what

[51:14] we have now after kind of the catillacountry

[51:19] ski trails in Nova Scotia, North Highland Nordic. Um they're celebrating

[51:22] their 50th year, I think, coming this season. Um they've hosted many national

[51:28] and provincial events, both competitive and social. Um and for anyone that's

[51:34] been there, they know it's absolutely um wonderful scenery, wonderful grooming,

[51:41] wonderful uh trail system. We wanted something to start off with that we

[51:45] could achieve in three to four years. And I I think we're we're getting there.

[51:50] Um, okay.

[51:55] I think this chart kind of speaks to the community passion and participation in

[52:00] the interest. In year 1, we had 35 members. Didn't have any process to sell

[52:06] day passes that year. And we've just shown a steady increase in growth since

[52:11] then. And we topped out at 123 members this past season. and 203 people skied

[52:18] on a day pass.

[52:28] Did a little bit of research in terms of the information we collect when people

[52:32] register. Um we are pretty diverse uh group of individuals. Um we we cater to

[52:40] all ages and all abilities. Our average age, which is probably no surprise to

[52:45] any of you in the room, is is an older demographic, a little over 52 years. Our

[52:51] youngest members 5 years old and our oldest member is 80.

[52:56] Um, our most of our membership comes from

[52:59] the Bedcan area, a little over a hundred and we do have members from uh Bulletry,

[53:05] North Side, uh, Sydney area, and a couple of people from the mainland. Um,

[53:11] our data collection for day pass users is kind of limited. Uh, we do use an

[53:16] online system and many people wait till they get to the trail before they buy

[53:20] their pass. Their hands are cold. They just want to get going. Um, and so we

[53:26] get their name and their phone number. Anecdotally, the people we meet there um

[53:31] or send us an email afterward, they're coming from all over Nova Scotia and

[53:35] Cape Breton.

[53:42] This is a little small and I apologize for that. The um narrower lines. So if

[53:48] you go to the bottom of the screen, you can see um the Big Bedc road at the very

[53:54] bottom. It's kind of a a faint gray line. Um on the bottom right, you can

[53:59] see a green circle. That's um where our trail head and parking area is. Um the

[54:07] rest of the colored lines uh represent the existing trails that we had until

[54:13] the spring of this year roughly 9 1/2 km. The broader white lines are what was

[54:19] developed and excavated and improved this spring. So our total is about 14 km

[54:25] of trail. And for distance and scale um that gray area that looks a little bit

[54:32] like a fiddle is a former runway. And that's just a little over a kilometer in

[54:38] length.

[54:45] We were very successful in um both with grants and fundraising to get uh new uh

[54:53] grooming equipment last year to add to our already um I guess stable of a

[54:59] utility snowmobile, a secondhand all-train vehicle. Um this is electrify

[55:05] and um it has all kinds of adjustments in terms of raising and lowering the

[55:11] packing unit. Um the rake which pulverizes ice and there's an

[55:16] electrified track setter on the back so it can be adjusted to the depth of snow,

[55:20] the conditions um and whether or not you're going up and down a hill. Um the

[55:26] the uh difference that made this year was phenomenal. We were able to actually

[55:32] track set most days it was groomed and our team of groomers led by Roger

[55:38] Wilcott includes uh Stuart Shaw, Tyler Germany and Dawson Fitzgerald for the

[55:44] past season. Um and they they do a wonderful job.

[55:50] Just a little bit more detail about the grooming. This is our Milky Way trail.

[55:55] To the right you can see Kravis Mountain. to the left looks east uh

[55:59] toward the Bedc River Valley, but the lines in the snow on the left are the

[56:05] the track that is set for classic skiing. The areas to the right are used

[56:09] for skate skiing or for snow showing. And that's roughly um 16 ft wide.

[56:18] We were blessed this winter to have an absolutely phenomenal winter for anybody

[56:22] that likes winter. We had very little rain. We had steady and consistent

[56:26] snowfall and uh we haven't had a winter like that probably for 10 years. It was

[56:31] it was fantastic. One of our uh priorities um coming into

[56:37] year three and year four was to really expand what we could offer in terms of

[56:40] programming and events. Um so this year we had 13 events. Uh we focused on youth

[56:49] and families. So we had three kids fun days which were very well attended. Um,

[56:54] we had skilluing and um, technical development clinics. Um, we're very

[57:01] fortunate because of our membership in cross-country ski Nova Scotia to have

[57:05] the services of a a wonderful person, Michelle Richards, who's a cross-country

[57:10] ski ambassador for Cape Breton Island, and she happens to live in our area. Um

[57:15] she's a certified instructor in many different aspects of cross-country

[57:20] skiing and she recently completed her learning facilitators program. So now

[57:25] she's able to help us build that leadership capacity in her own

[57:29] organization by training instructors all over Cape Breton.

[57:37] The picture on the top right there um is actually a full moon about 9:30 at

[57:42] night. It was extremely bright that night and very very cold.

[57:51] Here are a few more pictures of of u our future um leaders in the organization.

[57:57] These are also pictures spended in the photo contest by members. Uh you can see

[58:02] the kids having a great time at the funday.

[58:10] Thanks to the support of Victoria County and uh managed by the Cape Breton

[58:19] Regional Library here in BDC, we now have 80 sets of skis um and a couple of

[58:24] um lots of range for for children's sizes and that includes skis and boots

[58:29] and 30 sets of snowshoes. Um this winter there was a waiting list

[58:34] for most of them. Um our other partners are on the slide on the right. that's

[58:38] grown incredibly in the last four years. Um we have people who have donated

[58:44] money, people have donated prizes for raffles, we have people have provided um

[58:49] free services for servicing our equipment and snowmobile and things like

[58:53] that. Uh we've emphasized

[58:58] communications and try to do most of this um electronically and digitally.

[59:03] So, in the in the winter, um, members get a a daily email with an updated, uh,

[59:08] grooming and trail report. We have a newsletter that goes out two or three

[59:13] times a year. Uh, we link to Cross Country Ski Nova Scotia website where

[59:18] they have all the grooming reports listed for each ski area in the

[59:22] province. Uh, there's a Facebook page. We have a website. Uh and uh we've used

[59:29] our member survey, the most recent member survey in 2025 to inform our

[59:34] priorities and our action plan. Few more pictures here. That one on the

[59:40] left is also that full moon, incredibly bright and incredibly cold. There's a

[59:45] center picture there taken by our groomer at dawn when he was grooming.

[59:50] and um a wooded trail on the western part of our trail system called Hardwood

[59:55] Valley in the afternoon. So we had major um second phase major

[1:00:02] trail development this year um and we had a cross overrun in June of um about

[1:00:09] $7,000 uh which was kind of unexpected. Um, as

[1:00:14] a result of that, uh, we kicked into gear, uh, very quickly. We've had

[1:00:20] successful fundraiser the last three summers for a ticket for two at the Wood

[1:00:25] Road restaurant in Margary Harbor. We were able to do another one in July. Um,

[1:00:33] replaced a little bit of our our uh, plan carryover. Um, and are now as of

[1:00:39] August 1st, we're in a stable position. when we were back in the black. Uh

[1:00:43] approximately $1,700.

[1:00:48] We usually like to carry over $300 to $4,000 each year. Um fortunately for us,

[1:00:55] we were selected for the reuse center at the landfill. Um we were there Saturday

[1:01:00] and we're going to be there next Saturday. On Saturday, we raised $1,100,

[1:01:04] which will certainly help. And we will open our uh early bird membership drive

[1:01:09] on September 1st. And we also will have the uh uh funds gathered from the

[1:01:17] recyclables at the re at the at the municipal landfill as well.

[1:01:23] So we know that we've increased our trails by about 40%. Um and we've been

[1:01:28] planning for increased operational costs. Some of those are easier than

[1:01:32] others to plan for. Um fuel prices are rising

[1:01:38] and they're quite unpredictable as everybody knows. Um we'll we'll have u

[1:01:43] increased equipment maintenance. It'll require more volunteer hours um from our

[1:01:48] members to uh maintain and look after those trails and groom them. Uh last

[1:01:53] season our cost per broom was approximately $28.

[1:01:58] $22 the previous year, but last year we had new equipment um that consume more

[1:02:03] gas. Um the result of um our trail expansion opportunity. We expanded the

[1:02:09] trail head. Um you can see we added a porta potty there. It's kind of a green

[1:02:14] dot with a white roof in the middle. Um and it's uh more than three times the

[1:02:19] size of the original area. So there will be increased costs for snow removal and

[1:02:24] sanding. Um membership slide on the right. You've

[1:02:29] seen that earlier. Uh lots of uncertainty for any organization that

[1:02:33] operates outdoor winter activities. Don't know what the winter weather's

[1:02:37] going to be like. You don't know how much snow you're going to get. And if we

[1:02:40] get uh a cycle of of snow, rain, freeze, thaw, uh it even makes it a bit more

[1:02:47] challenging to plan for that. and people tend not to uh go outside and seek out

[1:02:52] winter activities if they don't see snow in their backyard.

[1:02:56] Um our day pass sales uh definitely correlate to good weekend weather. Um

[1:03:02] and last year was was excellent. Um but again and that's a very good income

[1:03:08] driver. We have no idea what's ahead of us for this this winter. So, we've did

[1:03:13] we've done some homework in terms of uh projected costs for the upcoming season.

[1:03:18] Um the total is just under $10,000 and it includes things like equipment

[1:03:23] maintenance. Um we pay for storage on a private property adjacent to the trail.

[1:03:29] We've got insurance for our equipment. Um we have a partnership with uh Prattis

[1:03:34] Mountain Snowmobile Club who's been very helpful to us over the years in terms of

[1:03:39] planning the trail and actually the first year they they groomed for us with

[1:03:43] a snowmobile on a pallet. That's all we had. But we pay for 15 memberships in

[1:03:50] Kra Mountain Snowmobile Club for the first 15 members who express interest in

[1:03:55] also skiing on the snowmobile trails. uh as a show of goods faith and support.

[1:04:01] We're estimating fuel uh costs there as well. Our other expenditures look a bit

[1:04:07] high, but we have to redo the trail maps and add some new trail safety and naming

[1:04:12] signs because of the 40% increase in trail. Uh zone 4 is the online

[1:04:17] registration system that we use. Um, and there are costs to use that system, but

[1:04:24] the additional costs that are included in that approximately $1,800 are because

[1:04:29] they deduct our cross country um, Nova Scotia fee as well as our Nordic Canada

[1:04:35] fee as soon as somebody registers. And we need Nordic Canada because they

[1:04:41] provide our liability insurance. And we're estimating additional revenue

[1:04:47] of approximately uh this season based on a conservative 65 members at $12,63

[1:04:55] and that includes membership fees um a guest at day pass fees uh fundraising

[1:05:02] donation and donations. So, before we had the uh re reuse center, that left us

[1:05:09] around $2,100 as a buffer to start off the season, which is not very much. We

[1:05:15] could have an equipment problem and and pretty well wipe that out. So, hence the

[1:05:20] reason for requesting support from from you folks.

[1:05:25] So just to wrap up um the benefits of having this wonderful outdoor facility

[1:05:30] is that it promotes uh winter activities outdoors for all ages. We know that

[1:05:36] activity in nature is important for social, mental uh physical health and

[1:05:40] for socialization often at a time of the year where people

[1:05:43] may not be uh willing or interested in going out. Our trail system has been

[1:05:49] developed with community member engagement and very strong support from

[1:05:52] the community and our land owner. Um we feel we're contributing to the economic

[1:05:58] activity in the off season and I think some of the names on our sponsor list

[1:06:03] will uh speak to that because they've been very supportive. Um, we add to the

[1:06:09] growing list of winter experiences in in Victoria County and different available

[1:06:15] experiences draws more people. Uh, it's pretty affordable and accessible. Uh, we

[1:06:20] have low me as low membership fees as possible and day pass costs and coupled

[1:06:26] with the free equipment loan at the Bedc Library and top-notch instruction from

[1:06:30] our ski ambassador, we have a a nice package to offer our community. Um, and

[1:06:36] we know that increased collabor collaboration among groups and

[1:06:40] businesses who offer um things to do in the winter uh is a big bonus for

[1:06:46] Victoria County as a winter destination.

[1:06:53] Sent along a supplemental information package via staff and it includes five

[1:06:59] letters of support. It includes a copy of our most recent uh newsletter from

[1:07:04] June. It includes our annual uh financial statements um from April 30th,

[1:07:12] 2026. And there's al other links there in

[1:07:15] terms of our web page, our Facebook group, and you can also find us on Cross

[1:07:20] Country Nova Scotia website.

[1:07:25] Before I answer any questions, I just want to say when I was um I had help

[1:07:30] obviously preparing the presentation, I realized yesterday when I looked at the

[1:07:35] the picture on the left that the second person

[1:07:38] um from the left is Stuart Germany from Bedc. He was the last president of the

[1:07:43] Bedcin area ski club 35 years ago. He was also the provincial ski coach. In

[1:07:49] the middle is Daniel Murray who is a member of of North Island Nordic. uh is

[1:07:55] a current provincial ski coach and uh is a member of Bedc Nordic and is on her

[1:08:00] board. Uh Diane Timmons had written us a letter of support for a grant we applied

[1:08:05] for a couple of years ago and she said before I finish it I want to come over

[1:08:09] and go for a snowshoe. So, she came over. She's there. Behind her, you can't

[1:08:13] see her face, is our board secretary, Nicolen Kirkovven Dwit and uh Carol

[1:08:19] Campbell is our vice president and she's in the foreground taking the picture.

[1:08:24] So, thank you and I'm happy to answer any questions or take any feedback.

[1:08:31] » Question. Councelor Matfort, go ahead. >> Hi, great presentation. I love the pics

[1:08:37] and last winter was the most fabulous winter ever. [laughter] I'm a snow

[1:08:40] bunny. I love snow. Um, but my question, I saw your um membership prices. What

[1:08:46] are the day pass prices? Were they in there? I didn't notice them.

[1:08:49] » No, they're not there. They're they're $20.

[1:08:51] » Okay. >> It's $10 per person, $20 for a family.

[1:08:54] » Oh, okay. That's really reasonable. So now, is there any guarantee or do you

[1:08:58] guys not offer it? If someone buys the early bird pass before November 1st and

[1:09:03] then there's rain all winter, do you refund that or is it purchase at your

[1:09:07] own risk? It's purchase at your own risk, but we will we will get some kind

[1:09:11] of skiable conditions. We are also um will probably open to winter hiking with

[1:09:17] poles, okay, >> if we had to if if as long as it wasn't

[1:09:20] too slippery. Okay. >> Especially on the more established parts

[1:09:23] of the trail. >> Okay, that's perfect. Thank you.

[1:09:28] » Any other questions?

[1:09:33] » Go ahead, Deputy Warden. >> Thank you, L for the presentation. uh as

[1:09:37] my district I know how the influx of people comes and goes and with the bedc

[1:09:43] library as well it helps and but no thank you and I would like to make a

[1:09:48] motion to um give it 30 it's 3900 >> 2900

[1:09:53] » 2900 well I can give you 39 2900 for our

[1:09:58] council projects for vc Nordic

[1:10:03] » there's a motion on the table from the deputy warden for $3,900.

[1:10:08] Um, can I get a second or please? Second by councelor Nicholson.

[1:10:13] Any discussion?

[1:10:17] All in favor? Against.

[1:10:24] We have We have two against. Yeah. So, can you put your hands up against for

[1:10:29] against for so Steph can record that, please?

[1:10:34] Motion is carried. Thank you. Thank you.

[1:10:39] » Thank you very much for the opportunity.

[1:10:46] » Okay, we will continue on with council reports. Uh, Deputy Warden, you're up

[1:10:51] next. >> Thank you. Um,

[1:10:56] I they sent a email for us in the correspondence of Norwood. they asking

[1:11:01] uh for a with districtric um budgets but I think is for us console because uh the

[1:11:08] security basic home safety products go to all the county so they asking um $100

[1:11:15] for each one but I would like to make a motion if we can give $1,000 for console

[1:11:20] products for uh Norwood to the security ba basic home safety products for all

[1:11:26] the residents Dr. Deputy Warden, are you asking for that from all from special

[1:11:32] projects or >> Yeah, for a special project instead of

[1:11:35] district budget uh will be the council project.

[1:11:38] » There's a motion on the table. Can I get a seconder for that? Second by councelor

[1:11:43] Mat Lefort. Any discussion?

[1:11:50] All in favor?

[1:11:54] Your motion is carried. >> Thank you. Um, we have the issue with

[1:11:59] the earring. I know they sign they paint the signals signs and everything. I

[1:12:04] don't know if uh the some it's about the parking outside in the highway. So, we

[1:12:13] can do a letter to public works or just I send my email but I don't think my

[1:12:19] only my email is going to do something. So, I was wondering if we can send a

[1:12:23] letter to Steve or public works about the parking signs in Irving. They're

[1:12:29] outside in the highway because the trailers are parking outside as well.

[1:12:33] So, it's a safety uh concern about that. >> You can make a motion to uh ask our CEO

[1:12:40] to do a letter for that then. >> Okay, sounds good. Okay. So, I'm making

[1:12:44] a motion to ask the CEO to send a letter to the public works uh manager to check

[1:12:50] about the signage and outside in the highway in the ear for about no parking

[1:12:56] because it's a safety control. Uh some of the residents around there, they're

[1:13:01] very concerned about that. Um this there's a motion on the table. Can

[1:13:07] I get a seconder, please? >> Second by councelor Matson Lefort. Any

[1:13:11] discussion? All in favor?

[1:13:15] Your motion is carried. >> Thank you. And the second is with that

[1:13:19] um I wonder if the CEO can um send a email or to the RCMP to uh ask for a

[1:13:29] presence between 8:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. when the traffic from the fair is coming

[1:13:34] in the earring. So they're ignoring the 70 kilometers they're parking outside.

[1:13:40] So really if we can see a little more presence the RCMP there in that times uh

[1:13:45] I think people will start getting noticed about that

[1:13:47] » and you should put that into a motion. >> Yes.

[1:13:50] » So I'm making a motion uh to send a letter to the RCMP to to

[1:13:55] ask to be more present in around 8:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. uh specifically when the

[1:14:02] traffic from the ferry the new Fan is coming. Uh they are not um the 70 km is

[1:14:09] ignored and uh I don't know. Yeah. So we need that please.

[1:14:13] » Okay. There's a motion on the table. Can I get a second or please? Second by

[1:14:17] councelor Nicholson. Any discussion? All in favor?

[1:14:22] » Your motion is carried. >> Thank you. That's all.

[1:14:24] » Thank you. Uh just one moment.

[1:14:40] Everything good now there? Okay. Council Nicholson.

[1:14:46] » Hi. The past month, uh, I talked to Bedc Village Chair Anna McDonald. She wanted

[1:14:51] to thank us for our support with the SECF grant, but the timeline was too

[1:14:57] tight and they couldn't get it all pieces together on their end. Uh, also

[1:15:01] the Bedora Club is running another successful junior sailing program plus a

[1:15:06] great regata week. Very nice to see all those sales on the water. Great for

[1:15:12] tourism, great for the area. Thanks to all the work of all their volunteers.

[1:15:16] Also, I attended Pedc Festival. What an awesome event that is and to all the

[1:15:23] work the volunteers do. It's a major event. A lot of organization. Certainly

[1:15:28] brings a lot of people to the area. I have a thank you here

[1:15:33] to all the fine folks with Victoria County. Thank you for your donation

[1:15:37] towards this year's community fireworks displays. We always appreciate your

[1:15:42] support and we are honored to serve the village and the county alongside the

[1:15:46] municipality with sincere thanks. Spid volunteer fire department.

[1:15:52] That's it. >> Thank you, councelor. Councelor Bourne.

[1:15:56] Thank you, Warden. I'd like to start by acknowledging many community events and

[1:16:01] activities that I had the opportunity to to attend throughout the summer. It has

[1:16:06] been great getting out into the community, meeting with residents, and

[1:16:10] seeing the support people continue to show for many organizations and events

[1:16:14] throughout our district. One of the highlights for me was attending the

[1:16:18] Giant Macascals Museum fundraiser. It was great to see so many people come out

[1:16:23] to support such a great cause and to see the community come together to support

[1:16:28] the museum. I'd also like to thank the volunteers and community organizations

[1:16:33] who continue to put up put so much time and effort into making these events

[1:16:38] happen. They are an important part of what makes our community feel so

[1:16:42] special. Um, I have a couple items here. So, for

[1:16:46] the Jersey Cove side of the English Town Ferry, we had some residents call in

[1:16:52] with some concerns about public washrooms. A resident raised concerns

[1:16:57] about the removal of portable public washrooms on the Jersey Cove side of the

[1:17:02] Englishtown Ferry. The resident contacted the captain in charge of the

[1:17:07] ferry and shared the response with me. The fairy service explained that the

[1:17:13] portable toilets had been provided as a courtesy but were removed following

[1:17:19] vandalism and mis misuse last season. They noted that the toilets were left

[1:17:24] unclean, tipped over, and had garbage put into them and that the cost for

[1:17:30] continuing to provide them was no longer sustainable.

[1:17:34] I don't think removing the washrooms is the only

[1:17:38] solution. Um, hold on one second here.

[1:17:45] They are portable washrooms at other fairy locations that people can

[1:17:50] experience that and people can experience weights, extended weights at

[1:17:53] the English town, particularly busy during the busy tourism seasons. So, I

[1:17:58] have a motion to request to ask the CEO to follow up with the province to see

[1:18:02] what options are available for providing washroom facilities at the Jersey Cove

[1:18:07] side, particularly during the busy summer season, and whether another

[1:18:12] solution can be found. There's a motion on the table. Can I get

[1:18:17] a seconder, please? Second by councelor Donovan. Any discussion?

[1:18:25] All in favor? The motion is carried. Councelor Bourne,

[1:18:31] I thought the washrooms were there today. I'm not sure.

[1:18:35] » They could have just put them back, but this just late last week. So,

[1:18:40] » um, that would be wonderful. That would be great news.

[1:18:43] » Okay. >> Um, the second topic that I have is

[1:18:46] concerning the Big Harbor Road. A year-round resident has again raised

[1:18:50] concerns about the condition of the Big Harbor Road. in this email circulated

[1:18:54] through um the MLA through myself and some other uh managers. So um including

[1:18:59] both the paved and unpaved sections, the resident referenced a case number from

[1:19:04] the September 2025 and said they understood the major repairs to the main

[1:19:09] road were planned including stripping and repaving. The resident also reports

[1:19:14] that the gravel section requires requires ditching um gravel and grading

[1:19:20] and then the wash out is approximately 3 to four kilometers from the big harbor

[1:19:24] end and is currently preventing through traffic. So there's several families

[1:19:28] that live along this section year round including families um with seniors that

[1:19:32] live there. So I'm asking through a motion to request the CIO to follow up

[1:19:37] with the province public works for an update on the planned work and report

[1:19:42] and the reported wash out and the maintenance needed for on the gravel

[1:19:46] section and to bring that information back to council.

[1:19:50] There's a motion on the table. Can I get a seconder, please? Second by councelor

[1:19:54] Nicholson. Any discussion? Okay. All in favor?

[1:20:00] Motion is carried. Uh my third topic had to do with the

[1:20:05] unsights sightly premises. So I'm going to move on from that, but just to

[1:20:09] recognize that that discussion did take place during the earlier session and I

[1:20:14] will report back to the the folks in the area.

[1:20:19] Um and then I have damage to missing road signs. I had several concerns that

[1:20:24] have been brought forward in the past few weeks regarding missing and damaged

[1:20:28] road signs throughout District 4. I've emailed provincial public works

[1:20:32] regarding these concerns and asked that the affected signs be reviewed. These

[1:20:37] concerns have been ongoing and residents are becoming frustrated with the lack of

[1:20:42] action. I will follow up with the provincial public works and if we are

[1:20:47] not seeing any resolution, I will bring this matter back to council to discuss

[1:20:51] further action including whether we need a formal letter um on behalf of council

[1:20:57] sent. But that's just to note it for reference.

[1:21:00] I do have two motions. This is councelor Bourne. Um Emila Timmons um spoke to us

[1:21:07] and asked if there was any signs missing in our districts to report them to her

[1:21:12] too. >> I did.

[1:21:12] » Did you? Okay. Thank you. >> Yeah, she was on that original email

[1:21:15] that we she asked us for. Thank you. >> So, I have two motions. The first motion

[1:21:20] that council direct the CEO to review the previously proposed mobile vending

[1:21:26] food vending bylaw. consider the feedback and concerns previously

[1:21:29] received from council and the public and make any necessary revisions and bring

[1:21:34] the new proposed uh bylaw back to council for consideration.

[1:21:39] There's a motion on the table second by councelor Mat Lefort. Any discussion?

[1:21:45] All in favor? Motion is carried.

[1:21:48] » Thank you. and final motion that council direct the CIO to investigate options

[1:21:54] and costs for upgrading the council's chambers microphone system to include an

[1:21:59] electronic speaker request and Q function allowing council members to

[1:22:03] indicate whether they wish to speak and provide the warden with a visual

[1:22:07] speaking order and report back to council with recommendations.

[1:22:13] There's a motion on the table. Can I get can I second her? Second by councelor

[1:22:17] Donovan. Any discussion? All in favor.

[1:22:22] The motion is carried. Thank you, Warden. Thank you. Councelor Donovan.

[1:22:31] Thank you, Warden. Uh I don't have a great deal. There is I

[1:22:34] guess I'll get it out of the way first. I I do have one motion. Um

[1:22:41] the uh Highland Manor is currently looking to review their bylaws

[1:22:48] and uh what I would the motion I would like to put on the floor is that the

[1:22:52] municipality enter into a cost sharing agreement with Highland Manor to fund a

[1:22:58] project to review and update Highland Manor's bylaws to support good

[1:23:02] governance practices. >> There's a motion on the table. Do I have

[1:23:06] a second or second by councelor Vaughn? Any discussion?

[1:23:13] All in favor? Your motion is carried.

[1:23:19] Thank you, Warden. Uh let me see. At the warden's request in her place in

[1:23:24] herstead, I uh attended an EV event that was facilitated by Nova Scotia Power. It

[1:23:30] was held at Ski Cape Smokey. They had uh installed two new rapid charging

[1:23:36] stations for EVs and they had a couple there that you could take for a test

[1:23:41] drive if you wished. One was a Mustang and one was was a uh half-tonon truck.

[1:23:50] It didn't look like a Mustang, so I took out the half-tonon truck. Um surprising

[1:23:56] I I some things I wasn't aware of. I didn't realize there were so many

[1:24:00] charging stations across the province, but there are many and many more planned

[1:24:05] to be put in. So, it is an option. And with the prices of the electronic

[1:24:10] vehicles coming down considerably, it's a could be a viable option for those who

[1:24:16] uh who would rather get away from gas,

[1:24:20] especially with the price of gas. Now, uh let me see. There are uh I was

[1:24:25] approached. There are concerns about speeding um through the main dragonish

[1:24:31] uh especially now that the daycare center is open

[1:24:35] uh and there's a lack there's no crosswalk from the sidewalk to the

[1:24:39] entrance to the daycare center and I know there are some parents who do walk

[1:24:42] their children there and I also know that there because it's a fairly

[1:24:48] straight stretch of road people tend to be a little heavy on the accelerator

[1:24:51] there. So, I'm just uh I I I'm thinking I could reach out to Steve McDonald to

[1:24:57] see if there's something we could do there. It used to be a school. So,

[1:25:00] they're they're they used to have the school zone signs there, which were a

[1:25:05] bit of a deterrent, but now that it's no longer a school, those signs are no

[1:25:08] longer there, and it just seems like a freeway. So, it' be I'm not sure what

[1:25:13] can be done to slow people down there, but perhaps Steve would have some

[1:25:18] answers that would help. Councelor Donovan, do you want to make a motion

[1:25:21] for our CEO to look into that uh for crosswalk

[1:25:25] » that? Yes, thank you. Uh I I would like to make a motion that CEO look into uh

[1:25:30] either a crosswalk or perhaps um more visible signage to slow people down in

[1:25:36] that area. Yeah, >> there's a motion on the table. Can I get

[1:25:39] a seconder, please? Second by councelor Mel Ford. Any discussion? All in favor?

[1:25:46] the motion is carried. >> Um, on the same vein with the busy

[1:25:51] tourist season, it it becomes a lot more evident. There is one one area on the

[1:25:56] street throwing in which has been and is still a fairly dangerous

[1:26:01] little area. Right at Beach Crossing Road because there's Beach Crossing

[1:26:05] Road. Across the street from Beach Crossing Road is the main street

[1:26:10] restaurant which in at this time of year is very busy. Now, most local people

[1:26:15] know to slow down coming around that corner because cars are backing out of

[1:26:19] the restaurant. But if you're a visitor and you don't realize that restaurant's

[1:26:23] there, there is a serious chance of a serious accident on that corner. Now,

[1:26:28] again, I don't know what can be done to mitigate it, whether there's one of

[1:26:32] those highway mirrors perhaps that could be put on the opposite side of the

[1:26:35] street so you could see if vehicles are pulling out or if additional signage

[1:26:41] there would help. I'm not sure, but something I think has to be done there,

[1:26:46] especially at that corner. It's a busy spot and uh there's a lot of traffic

[1:26:50] there all the time. >> Do you do you want to amend your uh

[1:26:55] motion to >> Yes, please.

[1:26:59] » I'd like to amend. >> Can we amend the motion there?

[1:27:05] Okay. Yeah. Can I get a seconder to amend the motion that uh

[1:27:15] Okay, he's just added. >> Thank you.

[1:27:17] » Okay. >> Uh

[1:27:21] I do have some good notes too though. [laughter]

[1:27:25] Uh the IDS they at uh Freshwater Cove, they have put in a new uh picnic

[1:27:31] shelter. It's being very well used and uh it's a it's a much welcome addition

[1:27:37] to that to that uh to that swimming hole. Uh and at the same time at the

[1:27:43] front of where the Freshwater Cove entrance is, Parks Canada again has

[1:27:47] their dories and stories set up where they have a member of the park staff

[1:27:51] building a dory out by the right out by the road which is visible from the road.

[1:27:55] And as I've noticed, he's gotten quite a few visitors stopping by to take a look

[1:27:59] and have a chat. So, that's going well. Uh, and yeah, one last thing, uh,

[1:28:05] Highlands Links held its club championship this past weekend.

[1:28:10] Congratulations to Grant Holly for winning the men's division, Bobby Hussie

[1:28:14] for winning the senior division, Susan Cochran for winning the ladies division.

[1:28:19] I did participate and I did manage to uh enjoy the flora and fauna that Parks

[1:28:26] Canada Woods have. That's all for me. Thank you, counselor.

[1:28:31] Counselor Henick. >> Thank you, Warden. Um, as the busy

[1:28:37] summer's coming close to an end and the students will be heading back to school

[1:28:42] and I can see some of the leaves changing already, which is quite

[1:28:45] surprising, but I hope everybody had enjoyed their summer. Um, I would like

[1:28:49] to send a shout out to Morgan and her wonderful team for all the efforts that

[1:28:52] they have done so far with the community cleanups. Uh they will be in Cape North

[1:28:57] this Friday starting at the fire hall from 10 to 12. Uh come out and lend a

[1:29:02] hand if you have a a minute or so. Uh this summer district 8 there was a lot

[1:29:07] of activities. I'd like to thank all the volunteers. It's greatly appreciated

[1:29:11] from all the fun at the base at Lawrence Community Center to the youth basketball

[1:29:16] done at done by Samuel and Gracie Scott at the Dingwall Park. Also to all the

[1:29:21] volunteers, young and old, for all their hard work and dedication to fix up the

[1:29:25] Dingwall ball field. They played ball just about every night, and it was so

[1:29:30] great to see it back in use again. Um, also the cra the cabbage Alliance Club

[1:29:36] will be holding their annual auction in person on Saturday, September 5th at 1

[1:29:41] p.m. at the United Church Hall in Cape North. Viewing starts at 12. Um some

[1:29:47] great news also uh scouts are coming to to north of

[1:29:53] Smokeoky. So also contact Tracy McKinnon Scott for further details. So it's great

[1:29:58] to see the girls guides are up running again and now they're going to get

[1:30:02] scouts. So that's very good for our young uh people. So, and this summer I

[1:30:08] spoke with many tourists and the main topic was that we live in a beautiful

[1:30:12] place, but too bad we can't see much without the growth covering up our

[1:30:17] beautiful scenery. I've heard this over and over again, and I was I don't know

[1:30:23] who we would contact or see about brush cutting or whatever is done because it's

[1:30:29] it's thrown in a lot. Um, and I only had one more thing to add. I also have a

[1:30:36] motion uh to have your CEO uh send a letter to Nova Scotia Health to request

[1:30:43] any information on dialysis at the Buchanan Memorial.

[1:30:48] I had a few residents come to me and that have to travel to city 3 to four

[1:30:52] days a week for dialysis and just wanting to know if there was going to be

[1:30:56] any movement at getting something set up at hospital in El Sar.

[1:31:02] » There's a motion on the table. Can I get a seconder? Second by councelor Bourne.

[1:31:07] Any discussion? All in favor?

[1:31:11] Motion is carried. >> Thank you, Morton.

[1:31:13] » Is that it for you? >> That's it for me.

[1:31:15] » Okay. Well, District 7, uh, thank you, Councelor Dunan, for attending that

[1:31:20] event for me. So, as councelor Henik said, uh, summer

[1:31:27] is coming down, but it's still in a full is still in full swing as residents,

[1:31:31] beaches, accommodations, and campgrounds are very busy. I'd like to urge all

[1:31:35] residents to be alert when traveling for pedestrians and other traffic on our

[1:31:40] roads. Um, please check out the Victoria North Library Facebook page for events

[1:31:46] going on all summer and they're still continuing. Branch 105 Legion is hosting

[1:31:51] a monthly merchandise bingo. Um it's usually posted outside the date. St.

[1:31:57] Andrews

[1:32:00] uh parish hall usually hold um merchandise bingos also so you can watch

[1:32:06] for their posts. Also the St. Andrews ACW will be holding a tea and sale on

[1:32:11] September 13th with live music performed by former counselor Norman McDonald.

[1:32:16] Come on out, enjoy a pot of tea, homemade sweets and music, and pick

[1:32:21] yourself up a little goodie at their sale.

[1:32:24] Uh, below guided bike tours every Thursday at 9:00 a.m. at the Periwinkle

[1:32:30] Cafe. And also, I found out that there's water aerobics at the Freshwater Lake

[1:32:35] Mondays, Wednesdays, and Friday mornings at 10:00 a.m. I'm heard it the the

[1:32:39] ladies that are in it are enjoying it very much.

[1:32:44] Uh for the residents um that had complained about the overgrowth on the

[1:32:49] road sides, I have reported it to public works and also to MLA Timonss. I have

[1:32:55] received that some brush cutting will be done. Um no timeline.

[1:33:00] And also I've been receiving complaints, I'm sure all of us have on cell service

[1:33:04] and they're wondering if we are advocating for cell service for Victoria

[1:33:09] County. And I I'd like to tell all residents we are much so advocating for

[1:33:15] cell service um in Victoria County. Al also the justice minister will be uh

[1:33:22] coming to see us uh sometime and uh I'm going to mention that to him too as for

[1:33:28] safety safety issue. Um to add to our motions for um Mr.

[1:33:36] McDonald and uh public works like to make a motion to direct the CEO to have

[1:33:42] Mr. McDonald to come in for a fall update uh at his convenience. Um I'm

[1:33:48] sure he'll just to just to meet in with us and just

[1:33:53] maybe he can give us update on the cabbage trail, brush cutting,

[1:33:58] uh potholes, etc. There's a motion on the table. Do I get

[1:34:04] a second? Second by councelor Matis Lort.

[1:34:10] Any discussion? All in favor? The motion is carried. And that's it for

[1:34:16] district 7. Uh, we're going to take a 15 minute

[1:35:24] Okay, welcome back to everybody. Um, next we have uh council discussion on

[1:35:30] road name petit petition. Um, you're speaking on that s there.

[1:35:37] [laughter] >> You are now.

[1:35:38] » Yeah. So, I thought uh I thought that uh Sean Dunovan may may have been staying

[1:35:44] for this. However, um so there was a road name petition that had been put

[1:35:49] forward. Um it has been brought to us by Brian Buts from Eastern District

[1:35:56] Planning. Uh the submitted road name was Lindor Lane. Uh which is the change from

[1:36:03] what it was in the past. Uh twothirds of the majority have signed on the petition

[1:36:10] and uh Eastern District Planning has approved it on their side. So then the

[1:36:18] process is to take it to council to have the name change approved. Um, if council

[1:36:28] so chooses,

[1:36:50] so

[1:36:55] Yep. So that that's up to you if anyone has anything to say or if there's a

[1:37:00] motion to follow to uh pass that as a name change.

[1:37:06] » Go.

[1:37:09] » I move that we pass that as a name change for

[1:37:14] We have a motion on the table. Can I get a seconder? Second by councelor Dunovan.

[1:37:18] Discussion. Deputy warden there. uh asking if I remember for they change the

[1:37:23] names. Do they check with the neighbors and all that?

[1:37:28] Everybody's agreeing. Yeah. Two3s. Okay. >> Yeah, that's on that's on the petition

[1:37:32] that 2/3 have signed. >> Okay. Thanks.

[1:37:35] » So, there's a motion. Councelor Dunovan.

[1:37:40] Councelor Bourne. >> Clarification. And as the clerk

[1:37:43] mentioned, the sign would be given to the counselor who installs the sign.

[1:37:49] » Because it's a private road, it's up to the residents on the road to have it

[1:37:52] done, but we provide the sign. Is there is there a criteria for safety for

[1:37:58] installing a sign or like is there >> can you come forward and and explain

[1:38:04] like does pl the plane department have a certain criteria for height or

[1:38:09] » I'm just questioning if if it's given to the owner to do. That's all.

[1:38:13] » The only requirement is the actual sign has to meet certain provincial

[1:38:18] requirements which it does. Um, we order it from a sign shop in Sydney and they

[1:38:22] have our specs that were given to us by um, the province.

[1:38:29] » Question. Who the land that it goes on? Who owns the land that it's going to go

[1:38:32] on? >> I'm assuming the owners that signed the

[1:38:36] petition, but I don't know. >> Okay. Thank you.

[1:38:41] » Like if it's gone through EDPC and he has approved it to come to here, that

[1:38:45] means that he's checked the 911 system. he's checked that it's not under there's

[1:38:50] no Lindor lane in the in the county and he goes through those checks and

[1:38:53] balances. That's not for us to do. >> Right. Just of note though, um

[1:39:01] this one may be okay because there was there's three homes and two have signed

[1:39:06] off on it. Uh just to be aware that when these are done, there are other steps

[1:39:12] that have to happen. So like like 911, like Amazon, like all of those things.

[1:39:18] So um it's not just the name ch the only thing council should be concerned with

[1:39:24] is the name change. However, there's other consequences to those that are

[1:39:28] living on the road. Okay, there's excuse me, a motion on the

[1:39:33] table. We have a seconder. All in favor? Against?

[1:39:39] Your motion is carried. Thank you.

[1:39:44] Okay. Um the CA CEO report.

[1:39:50] Thank you. So I just have a couple of things to note. Um we have a call out

[1:39:54] for our housing and our planning advisory committee members. Please see

[1:39:59] our website and applications will be open until August 31st. Uh we have a

[1:40:05] former counselor in the room here who maybe one of those would be of interest.

[1:40:14] Not to call you out or anything, but [laughter]

[1:40:21] all members of what? >> So, this is like not the eastern

[1:40:26] planning thing. You mean? No, it's just another

[1:40:29] » Yeah. So, now that we have planning in place?

[1:40:33] » Yes. Um the only committee currently that is set

[1:40:37] up is an area advisory committee for um the village proper.

[1:40:44] So now we're looking to form a committee for planning advisory for the county. So

[1:40:49] ideally we have some folks from all over the county to look at planning as a

[1:40:55] whole if there's any changes to be made, anything to be updated in the plan. I

[1:41:00] believe that council a few years ago when um this land use planning strategy

[1:41:07] for the county as a whole started, they agreed that they would be the planning

[1:41:11] advisory committee and now it's been um decided that we go out for members of

[1:41:19] the public in relation to it. And if there's a need for certain areas,

[1:41:25] we can certainly set up another area advisory for any of those that are in

[1:41:29] the areas of growth. >> Yeah.

[1:41:33] » Yes. And so that's two separate committees. There's a housing committee

[1:41:37] and there's a planning advisory committee and both are open until August

[1:41:41] 31st.

[1:41:44] » Dixon, is it clear as mud now to you? >> Yes, I I understand exactly what it is

[1:41:50] now. Uh yeah, I'd be interested in one of them probably. I Yeah,

[1:41:55] » sure. Um >> the planning probably since I've been

[1:41:59] there before and I understand the process.

[1:42:02] » I believe the terms of reference have that there has to be some counselors on

[1:42:06] it as well. >> So or the terms of reference that was

[1:42:10] passed early on in 2021 uh 2020, sorry. Um so we'll mark your name down as

[1:42:19] seeing on there. >> Okay. Thank you.

[1:42:21] » Thank you. Um, also the Victoria County Water Utility and I think I might be

[1:42:29] able to leave that one uh because we are looking for an approval of a motion to

[1:42:34] pass our water utility and capital budget. So, we'll pass that on for

[1:42:37] later. Um, the ad for the September tax sale by tender is now posted on our

[1:42:43] website with a sale date of September 14th. So sometimes we will do them by

[1:42:48] tender and then other times we have them uh in for the public uh as a public live

[1:42:55] auction. Uh the one for September is going to be by tender. The the sorry the

[1:43:01] one for September and the one for November uh will proceed as a public

[1:43:05] auction and

[1:43:10] those are my items to make the public aware of.

[1:43:14] » Thank you. Does anybody have any questions or anything for our CEO for on

[1:43:19] her report?

[1:43:22] None being so we will go on to our next thing. Um motion.

[1:43:31] Can I get a a motion to accept the first reading of the commercial development

[1:43:37] district improvement bylaw amendment? Can I It's moved by councelor Henock.

[1:43:42] Can I get a seconder, please? Councelor Matson Lefor. Any discussion?

[1:43:49] All in favor?

[1:43:53] Motion is approved. Okay. Next. Um, do you want this in two

[1:44:01] motions for the water utility and cap? Okay. Can I get a motion to approve the

[1:44:07] recommendations made at the August 7th audit committee meeting regarding the

[1:44:12] water utility? It's moved by Oh, sorry. Utility water

[1:44:19] utility budget. It's moved by councelor Dunovan, second by councelor Bourne. Any

[1:44:26] discussion? All in favor?

[1:44:29] Your motion is carried. Next, can I get a motion to approve

[1:44:36] uh the recommendation made at August 7th audit committee meeting for the capital

[1:44:41] budget? It's moved by councelor Matis Lefort,

[1:44:46] second by councelor Bourne. Any discussion? All in favor?

[1:44:51] Your motion is carried. Uh committee reports. Do we have any

[1:44:56] committee reports?

[1:45:02] No, >> just uh to remind you if do the survey

[1:45:05] for Victoria County Transit, please. >> Thanks, Deputy Warden.

[1:45:10] » Thank you.

[1:45:14] Correspondence. We is a list of correspondents that has been sent out,

[1:45:21] sent and received. Thank you. Um and next is uh the public. Do does

[1:45:28] our public have any questions for us today?

[1:45:35] Um being none, we are adjourned.

Victoria County Council Meeting - August 17, 2026

Transcript