City pretty pleased with seniors group

By Mark Squibb/February 17, 2023

The City of Mount Pearl will continue to help fund a very active community group into the near future.

During last week’s meeting, councillor Chelsea Lane brought forward a motion to approve a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the City and the Mount Pearl Seniors Independence Group for the period January 1, 2023 until December 31, 2025. The MOU includes the provision of an annual operating subsidy in the amount of $50,000.

“We’re very proud of our Senior Independence Group here in Mount Pearl and we’re happy to continue to support them any way we can,” said Lane.

Council also approved a round of milestone event funding as the group celebrates 25 years of incorporation.

That funding, $10,000 in total, will be awarded to the group in two instalments of $5,000.

“This is something we do for most of the groups in our City when they celebrate 25 years,” explained councillor Bill Antle. “I think there are over 500 people involved in that group, and they’re quite active here in the City of Mount Pearl, and so I’m certainly proud to recommend this.”

Councillor Jim Locke said it’s hard to believe it’s already been 25 years since the group was formed and spoke to the value of the group to the city.

“We have upwards of 500 members, and I’ve been doing some reading recently on seniors and loneliness and social isolation,” said Locke. “Loneliness and social isolation have significant health impacts. I was reading in the UK that it’s the equivalent of smoking 15 cigarettes a day. It impacts your heart, it impacts your mind, in terms of dementia, it impacts heart attacks, strokes. It’s an issue that I think we need to turn more attention to.”

He noted, not for the first time in council chambers, that the UK back in 2017 instituted a Minster of Loneliness. He said Japan has done similarly.

Locke said what many seniors missed most during the lockdown was social connection afforded by group activities – such as bingo.

“I think it’s wonderful,” said Locke. “The annual operating subsidy of $50,000 is good money spent on seniors who have built this city for us.”

Councillor Mark Rice echoed those sentiments, and Mayor Dave Aker added the group is involved in many Frosty Festival activities and its members are collecting donations for the food bank throughout the winter months.

“So, this is the least we can do to help a legacy group in the City of Mount Pearl who continue to give back to the community,” said Aker.

Both motions passed unanimously.

Mount Pearl preparing for very busy construction season

By Mark Squibb/February 17, 2023

The snow is still on the ground, and likely will be for some time, but Mount Pearl is already preparing for a busy construction season.

Councillor Mark Rice gave a capital and maintenance project update report during last week’s public meeting.

“Tender documents are currently being prepared for the upcoming 2023 construction season, which is going to be a busy one,” said Rice.

Those tenders are for maintenance work and include a 2023 crack sealing tender (currently being drafted), 2023 to 2026 line painting tender (currently being drafted) and a 2023 asphalt and concrete tender, which is currently under development.

Rice spoke briefly to the line painting tender.

“Hopefully we’ll have multiple bids on that so we won’t have the typical one person bidding on that so we can get some good pricing,” said Rice.

Next, Rice noted the City is currently in the midst of two construction projects that are to be completed this calendar year: the pedestrian underpass, which is expected to be completed in June and the St. David’s Park Smart Accessible Playground.

Rice then highlighted a number of capital projects that have been recently awarded, including full replacement of the section of Spruce Avenue from Croucher to Commander, full replacement of Birch Avenue, full replacement of the section of Roosevelt Avenue from Donovan Street to Ruth Avenue section, full replacement (excluding watermain) and installation of structural watermain liner along Billard Avenue.

These projects are expected to be completed by fall of 2024.

The City is also negotiating a number of other projects, including the construction of a long awaited civic centre.

Requests for proposals and requests for quotes are estimated to be completed early in 2023, with construction expected to begin later this year. The centre is expected to be finished by late 2024.

The City first announced plans to construct the new civic centre in July 2021. The 18,000 square foot centre, which will be located at the Team Gushue Sports Complex, will accommodate social, arts, and recreation events, and will have spaces dedicated for community group use.

Other projects being negotiated include full replacement of underground services on Wyatt Boulevard, Farrell Drive (Topsail to Evans section), the Farrell Drive Pumphouse, Jacqueline Road, First Street (from civic #17 to Glendale), Kean Place, and an unspecified climate change project.

“So, as you can see it is going to be a busy time coming up for our City this summer,” said Rice. “There’s going to be a lot of traffic being re-routed in certain areas. But one thing we’re looking forward to is all these projects getting started and getting completed.”

Councillor Bill Antle asked why the City was replacing just a section of Spruce Avenue and not the whole road.

Director of Infrastructure and Public Works Gerry Antle said the decision was keeping in line with the City’s asset management plan, and that replacement depends on the age of the underground infrastructure.

The report did not require a vote of council, as the various projects had been approved in previous meetings.

This time, says Antle, it's personal

By Mark Squibb/February 10, 2023

During this week’s public meeting round table discussion, a time when councillors raise individual concerns, praise the accomplishments of residents, and make mention of noteworthy things happening in the community, councillor Bill Antle raised an issue that we’ve all likely had some experience with in the past.

“I’ll try not to get upset because this is a personal thing for me, and it may be a personal thing for everyone else here,” said Antle. “We walk the trails and people don’t pick up after their dogs. And this is why it’s personal — because this morning I walked the trails, and it’s covered in snow, and you’re walking on dog feces. People think because it’s covered, it’s going to rot. In Mount Pearl, we supply the bags. On most of the poles you can find a bag to pick up after your dog. It’s so easy to do.”

Antle said it’s common for dog feces left on the trail to become covered by snow which makes it impossible for residents to detect — and therefore, avoid.

“Pick up after your dog,” said Antle. “It’s the right thing to do. I don’t know how many times we have to tell people to do that, or how we can get this problem to stop. It’s the right thing, the polite thing to do.”

Mayor Dave Aker acknowledged the issue, but also took a moment to note what a great addition the trail system is to the City.

“We just ask our animal lovers to respect everybody’s cleanliness and hygiene and respect for the environment,” said Aker.

Council approves massage therapy businesses

By Mark Squibb/February 10, 2023

Mount Pearl City council this week approved not one, but two new massage therapy businesses.

First up for approval was an application by Maranatha Therapeutics to operate a Home Business at 16 Harvard Drive to accommodate a registered massage therapy clinic. The business will operate Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. The applicant expects about six clients per day.

“Prior to making their decision, council invited comments in writing no later than 12:00 noon, Friday, December 30, 2022, and no submissions were received by the City expressing interest in attending a briefing session, and as a result, the scheduled briefing session was cancelled,” said councillor Isabelle Fry.

Council also approved an application from Sunrise Massage Therapy to operate a Home Business at 5A Sunrise Avenue to accommodate a registered massage therapy clinic. The business will operate Tuesday through Saturday between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. for approximately 30 hours a week, and the applicant expects four to six clients a day.

For that application, council also invited comments by a noon deadline on Friday, December 30. No submissions were received, and a scheduled briefing session was cancelled.

Both applications are subject to conditions set by the St. John’s Regional Fire Department, and the City of Mount Pearl’s Inspection Services, Municipal Enforcement division, Finance division, Planning division, and development regulations.

Mayor Dave Aker noted there was obviously a demand for this kind of work.

Both applications were approved unanimously.

City sets new fees for those wanting to put a plaque on it

By Mark Squibb/February 10, 2023

Purchasing a plaque to commemorate a loved one has just gotten a little more expensive in the City of Mount Pearl, as council this week unanimously voted to increase the prices of commemorative trees and benches.

“The City’s Commemorative Bench and Tree Program provides an opportunity for residents to memorialize significant others and or commemorate significant events and occasions,” explained councillor Jim Locke during this week’s meeting. “The cost of commemorative items has been set to cover the cost of the City purchasing the items from external suppliers. There’s a range of items… you can buy a wooden bench and a plaque, you can buy a metal bench and plaque, you can buy a plaque only that we will affix it to an existing piece of city infrastructure, you can purchase a maple tree that includes a plaque, or you can purchase an Austrian pine tree that also includes a plaque. So, again, the cost that we charge for these is basically the cost of purchasing these items for the City. There’s no profit to be made here.”

Locke chalked the cost increases up to the rising cost of materials, noting the price of the plaques have increased on three separate occasions.

“There has been some minor price increases for some of the items that we provide under this program, and as a result we have had to pass these increases on (to the residents),” said Locke.

Mayor Dave Aker noted that, “out of respect for the people being honoured, whether it’s a plaque or otherwise, it’s meant to look good for many, many years to come.”

“We don’t want to use some piece of old scrap lumber, for example, and embed a plaque in that, because that’s really not honouring our residents’ loved ones,” Aker added. “So, the prices do seem a bit high, but we mitigate that by offering many different options ranging from $435 all the way up to $3,000. So, it doesn’t force anybody to pay an enormous amount.”

Locke added the commemorative item is purchased for 10 years under the program.

“It’s a great way to honour loved ones,” said Locke. “And you’re right, we do have a range of options here. It’s $435 to purchase a plaque and many people do that, and they affix it to a bridge, or an existing bench, or something like that. So, there are a range of options here, right up to the most expensive, which is a metal bench and plaque. And again, we see those around the city and they’re beautiful, they’re such nice additions to our city.”

The new pries are as follows: Wooden Bench and Plaque at $2,090; Metal Bench and Plaque at $3,052; Plaque Only (to be affixed to existing city infrastructure) at $435; Maple Tree and Plaque at $930; and Austrian Pine Tree and Plaque at $985.

Youths raise donations for local food banks

Mount Pearl youths Alex Taylor and Claudie Carew teamed up with Clay Cafe and Bridges to Hope to raise donations for the local food banks. The event, Youth Live Music and Paint Night, was a great success, and those in attendance had a great time raising donations for a good cause. From left to right are Mackenzie Benson of Clay Cafe, Claudia Carew, Lucy Maclean of Clay Cafe, Alex Taylor, Emily Noel with Bridges to Hope and Lesley Noel with Bridges to Hope. Submitted photo

City approves funds for community groups

By Mark Squibb/February 3, 2023

Mount Pearl City council has inked a new memorandum of understanding with the Association for the Arts in Mount Pearl (AAMP) that will see taxpayers continue to provide a $10,000 annual operating subsidy to the community organization.

The new deal is effective from January 1, 2023, until December 31, 2025, and was approved by council during last week’s public meeting, with Mayor Dave Aker noting it was a “fine investment in the culture of our community.”

During that same meeting, council also approved the first installments of 2023 operating subsidies for both the Admiralty House Communication Museum and the Frosty Festival in the amounts of $57,500 and $35,000 respectively.

All three motions were approved unanimously.

Mount Pearl approves new row houses aimed at 55+ set

By Mark Squibb/February 3, 2023

Mount Pearl council has approved additional units along Avery Place, a subdivision home to well over twenty 55-plus condos.

“The City is in receipt of an application by RJC Services, on behalf of Placentia Bay Holdings, for a residential intensification project at 10 Avery Place,” said councillor Mark Rice during last week’s public meeting. “This proposal is for a three-building housing project with a total of 13 units: two buildings with 11 three-story row houses and basement parking at grade level, and a third building with common/office space on the main level and two units on the second and third floor respectively. The proposal also includes six parking spaces for the third building, private gardens at the rear of the two buildings on the southern and western ends of the parcel, and a 7.32-metre-wide road between the three buildings.”

Rice explained the Planning, Engineering, and Development Committee had reviewed the application and recommended approval.

Councillor Jim Locke applauded the project.

“We have 16 square kilometres of land here and limited land left in the Northlands for further residential development,” said Locke. “And as we know, we’re into our strategic planning sessions here and planning a course of action moving forward. Such intensification is necessary, it’s going to be needed for the city to grow and prosper. Given the limited land we have, we’re looking at alternatives, and this is the type of project I feel the city needs moving forward.”

He noted the proponent has committed to maintaining the unit as a 55-plus complex.

“That was welcome news to the residents in Avery Place,” said Locke. “That was a key concern that they brought forth. And of course, we all know the need for seniors housing in the City of Mount Pearl. We could probably use another 500 units here. So, again, I think it’s a great move that we’re intensifying this area. It’s going to be a great completion to that little neighbourhood down there. The residents love Avery Place and their access to the T’railway, so this will be a nice finish to the whole development down there, so I fully support this.”

Deputy Mayor Nicole Kieley added she was thankful for the residents who came out to a public consultation session and for the developer who gave a clear and concise presentation at that session. She added the building is being designed to be universal, that is, inclusive and accessible to all residents.

“That is something that more and more we should hope to see in developments, that concept that no matter what your abilities are or how old you are, the building itself is inclusively designed in a way that, well, speaks for itself — universal,” Kieley said.

Councillors Chelsea Lane and Bill Antle also both voiced their support.

“I think it’s great that we’re seeing intensification like this happening,” said Lane. “I think that we’re moving in the right direction, and I certainly hope to see more projects such as this coming in the future. And the fact that it’s going to be 55-plus is excellent, because I for one know that when I was going door-to-door, the need for seniors housing was something that I heard numerous times.”

Antle applauded the decision of the developer to steer clear of trees bordering on the nearby T’railway.

“I think everything with that development is going to bode well for the residents,” said Antle.

The motion was approved unanimously.

The Mount Pearl Seniors Independence Group reached out to their local food bank last month to inquire which items the food bank were in most need of. Soup was one time the food bank was lacking, so members took it upon themselves to collect soup throught out the month of January. All told, members collected 349 cans of soup, along with monetary donations, during the month of January for the St. Vincent de Paul Food Bank. From Left to right are food bank representatives:  Con Milmore (Food Bank Rep), Doreen Squires, Sandra Milmore (Food Bank Rep), Bill Thomson, Gertie Norman, Clayton Courtney, Martina Chaytor, Barbara Gough, Pat Simms, Shirley Carr, Nancy Noseworthy, Ada Rose, Dot Thistle, Helen Carberry, Marion Abbott, Linda Collins, Harold Bussey, Lorraine Gillespie, Doug Babstock and Matt White.  Sitting; Phyllis McLean, Mona Chipman & Jean Warren.