Members of the S'Myelin Warriors of Newfoundland and Labrador were in Mount Pearl council chambers this week as Mayor Dave Aker proclaimed May to be Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Awareness Month. The S'Myelin Warriors is a group spearheaded by Zita Kavanagh-Taylor and others to help those in the province living with multiple sclerosis. “We saw that there was a need for local representation,” said Kavanagh-Taylor. “People needed to be able to call a 709 number and get a volunteer who can say ‘I can relate, I know what you’re going through.’ Me myself, I live with MS, as do a lot of our volunteers, and our volunteers who don’t live with MS have family members who live with MS.” The group is hosting a variety of events this month, beginning with the seventh annual Paws for MS Dog Walk this Sunday, May 7 beginning at Critters N’ Things in Mount Pearl. Check in time is 10:45 a.m. Pictured above are, starting in the back row, from left: Kerry Pope, councillor Chelsea Lane, councillor Jim Locke, Mayor Dave Aker, Deputy Mayor Nicole Kieley, councillor Bill Antle, councillor Mark Rice, and Dave Taylor. In the middle row, from left, are: Alex Taylor, Zita Kavanagh-Taylor, Nancy Constantine, Jeanette Hanlon, and Rosie Stead. In front, from left, are Margie Stead and Ann Hannam. Mark Squibb photo
Aker promises to measure the progress of new 5-Year Plan
Mount Pearl Mayor Dave Aker got everyone in the groove for his annual outlook speech to the Mount Pearl – Paradise Chamber of Commerce last week by asking everyone in attendance to don sunglasses, pairs of which were thoughtfully left at each table. Aker’s message focused on the city’s bright future. Mark Squibb photo.
By Mark Squibb \ April 28, 2023
The future is so bright you’ve got to wear shades.
That’s according to Mount Pearl Mayor Dave Aker, who donned a pair of sunglasses — and asked Mount Pearl-Paradise Chamber of Commerce members attending last week’s luncheon to do likewise —before launching into a presentation of ‘Building Tomorrow,’ the City’s new five-year strategic plan.
“The future of Mount Pearl is what I’m here to talk about today on behalf of council,” said Aker. “Not the future of the next six months, but for multiple generations to come. The future of this city is something we must carefully consider, and strategically consider. It’s not something that will happen by chance.”
One major aspect of the plan is a ‘reimagine’ approach to transportation within the City.
“We are focused on attracting more people to live and work in the City of Mount Pearl, and to do that, they need to be able to get ‘to-and-from,” said Aker. “Something needs to be done about transportation, and we know that there are challenges.”
While Aker allowed the City could consider a public transit system, he said it needs to focus on other “active urban modes of transportation” such as “cycling, walking, and more.”
The plan also calls for a focus on developing and adopting a new traffic calming policy and more upgrades to the trail network.
Another focus of the plan is on development, particularly of land north of Topsail Road. To that end, the City intends to hire a third party to guide development in the area, complete a new infrastructure plan, and develop an Investment Attraction Plan.
Council also intends to continue to support the Find Your Centre Plan, a campaign launched in 2020 to redevelop the city core.
Council also hopes to attract more residents to Mount Pearl and will implement a new 5-year Economic Development Strategy within the strategic plan.
A final goal of the plan is to improve workplace culture and internal communications within the walls of City Hall.
“If this diverse, multi-faceted plan has a single unifying principal, it’s that every choice we make must take into account the City’s future, and that’s the way the City has been run the last 25 years,” said Aker.
The mayor added that folks can expect annual updates on the City’s progress.
“No plan is complete without built-in guidelines to track progress,” said Aker. “Annual update reports are imperative to our success, making certain that we are on the path to achieving our vision.”
The plan, said Aker, is a “living document” to be maintained by council and staff over the coming years.
During the presentation, Aker unveiled a new promotional video that will be released to the public in the coming weeks.
Funding for sports groups remain despite tightening across City Hall
By Mark Squibb \ April 28, 2023
It’s the most wonderful time of the year for sports groups in Mount Pearl — or at least one of the more wonderful times.
The City last week released the 2023 Community Grant Program allocation, a fund of $80,000, which will be distributed to each of the 13 sports organizations in Mount Pearl.
Councillor Bill Antle took a moment to discuss the funding amount, which was unaffected by this year’s municipal budget.
“We just had a tough budget here in 2023, and we looked at full operations from top-to-bottom, and that resulted in some budget cuts internally and externally,” said Antle. “Across the board, we had to look for opportunities to consolidate and find efficiencies. We had to look deeply at how we operate in response to a challenging economic climate and inflationary pressures. But ultimately, our collective goal was always to provide high quality opportunities to our athletes and to our community. That’s why we’re all here. And while we did change the structure of our partnership with the Mount Pearl Sports Alliance, I want to emphasise to all that there has been no change in the funding structure. They all will receive the exact same amount of money they had last year.” The 13 members comprising the alliance include Summit Synchro, Mount Pearl Minor Baseball, Mount Pearl Minor Basketball, Pearlgate Youth Bowling, Campia Gymnastics, Mount Pearl Minor Hockey Association, Dogs Rugby Club, Mount Pearl Skating, Mount Pearl Soccer Association, Mount Pearl Special Olympics, Mount Pearl Marlins, Mount Pearl Tennis Club, and Pearlgate Track and Field Club.
Mount Pearl — Paradise Starlites cheering on their club from the stands
Members of the Mount Pearl - Paradise Starlites Skating Club stood out in more ways than one when they participated in the 2023 Skate NL Provincial Synchronized Skating Championships last month hosted by the CBS Skating Club at the CBS Arena. Hundreds of young skaters representing clubs from across the province competed for provincial titles, wowing the crown with their impressive techniques and routines. Pictured are some Mount Pearl — Paradise Starlites cheering on their club from the stands. From left to right are Maria Power, Lauren Hutchings, Summer Roberts-Coombs, Rebecca Cooper, Hayler Aspell, Grace Quilty, Rachel Forward, Ariana White, Alexa Bishop, Lila Donovan, Lauren Parsons, and Sarah White. Mark Squibb photo.
Line painting contract will extend to 2025
By Mark Squibb\April 14, 2023
Council last week agreed to spend $1.2 million ensuring that line markings on city streets will be painted up until 2025.
The City received four qualified bids by the March 16 deadline, the lowest of which was the $1.2 million bid courtesy of Modern Paving Ltd. The amount is inclusive of HST.
In addition, the Planning, Engineering and Development Committee recommended pre-committing funds for the 2024 and 2025 portions of this contract, valued at $401,775 and $422,910 respectively.
Councillor Jim Locke clarified the contract includes two annual applications of paint per year— once in the spring, and again in the fall.
The motion passed unanimously and without further discussion.
The $1.2 million price tag along with the pre-commitment funds indicate the work costs just over $400,000 per year.
No mention of it was made in the meeting, but a quick search of previous agendas show that in 2020, prior to global inflation, the 2020 Street Markings contract was awarded for $387,000, HST included.
City still paying legal fees in battle with ousted councillors
By Mark Squibb\April 14, 2023
As of April 10, the City of Mount Pearl has spent $787,383 in legal fees relating to the dismissal of former CAO Steve Kent and former councillors Andrea Power and Andrew Ledwell.
Although the City of Mount Pearl officially concluded its costly investigation into the former chief administration officer workplace conduct this past February at a cost of some $330,000 including legal fees, the City is still paying invoices related to appeals filed by the two former councillors whose seats were vacated after they allegedly abrogated their responsibility to protect the City’s interests by communicating with Kent during the investigation into his conduct.
Council dismissed Andrea Power and Andrew Ledwell in June 2020 due after it was discovered Kent was communicating with them through facebook messenger. Both councillors vowed to fight the decision. And fight they did, appealing the dismissal in Supreme Court.
During a public meeting this past March, council approved payment of an invoice for McInnes Cooper for professional fees in the amount of $9,026. The invoice appeared on the payment register in last week’s agenda, and councilor Mark Rice called it into question.
Director of Corporate Services Cassie Pittman confirmed the fees were in relation to the appeal by the two former councillors.
The Pearl followed up with City communications staff following the meeting. As per staff, fees relating to the notice of appeal for both Ledwell and Power total $291,779; the investigation into the former CAO cost $330,763 and the dismissal of both the former CAO and former councillors cost some $164,840.
All told, the costs amount to some $787,383.
Council buys nearly a million dollars worth of new vehicles
By Mark Squibb\April 14, 2023
Mount Pearl City Council added some significant pieces to the City’s fleet inventory last week after approving the purchase of nearly a million dollars worth of new vehicles.
One contract was for the supply and delivery of eight half-ton regular cab 4 x 4 pick-up trucks, issued on February 8, 2023.
Sole bidder Cabot Ford Lincoln Sales Limited bid $524,690, HST included, a price which the Corporate Services and Public Works committee recommended that council accept.
Despite the committee’s recommendation, the absence of competing bidders seemed to cause some unease in council chambers.
“I do support the recommendation, but there’s only one bidder, I guess that’s a sign of the times,” reflected councillor Bill Antle. “Why did we only get one?”
Councillor Jim Locke said that, as per the committee meeting, the lack of bidders has to do with supply chain and inventory issues.
Director of Corporate Services Cassie Pittman agreed with that assessment.
“We can’t tell why there was only one tender received, but every indicator we have is that it’s due to supply-and-demand and the ability to actually supply the vehicles in a timely manner,” said Pittman, who added the tender documents dictate that vehicles must be supplied within a set period of time.
Following some brief discussion, council approved the motion unanimously.
Four of the trucks are expected to be delivered by the end of May, while the other four should arrive later in the summer.
Next up was a contract recommendation for a new front loader, equipped with power angle blade and wing. Unlike the previous tender, a lack of bids was not a concern, as five companies bid on the contract.
Corporate Services and Public Works recommended council award the contract to the lowest qualified bidder, Reefer Repair Services, for the amount of $465,150, HST included.
That motion was approved without further discussion.
In addition to the new vehicles (nine all told), council approved the purchase of $144,330 worth of new lawnmowing equipment. Equipment purchased includes two four-wheel drive mowers ($96,840) and one tri-deck finishing mower ($47,480) from NL Kubota Ltd., and Atlantic Trailer and Equipment respectively.
The City received only one bid for the two four-wheel drive mowers and two bids for the tri-deck finishing mower.
The motion passed unanimously and without discussion, other than Mayor Dave Aker’s comment that the City would be ready to “cut a bit of grass this summer.”
Council approves training trips
By Mark Squibb \ April 21, 2023
During the March 21 public meeting, Mount Pearl council unanimously approved travel requests for Deputy Mayor Nicole Kieley, councillors Jim Locke and Mark Rice, and CAO Dana Spurrell to attend the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) Annual Conference and Trade Show in Toronto, ON from May 25 to the 28.
Kieley made the motion to approve the travel requests, Locke seconded it, and a vote was cast without further discussion.
Any costs associated with the requests were not noted. As per the FCM website, early bird (until April 21) conference registration fees for FCM members are $985 per elected official/staff person.
During a public meeting held on March 7, council unanimously approved professional development travel requests for Director of Public Works Glen Dollimount to attend the Newfoundland and Labrador chapter of the Canadian Public Works Association’s (CPWA) Annual Conference 2023 in Clarenville, NL, for CAO Dana Spurrell to attend the 49th Annual Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators (CAMA) Conference in Huntsville, ON, and for Recreation and Community Safety Director Jason Collins to attend the US Indoor Sports Association’s Annual Conference and Tradeshow in Henderson, Nevada. All three of those conferences will be held in May.
Province targets seniors in $2M grant program announced in Mount Pearl
Members of the Mount Pearl Senior independence group were happy to be in attendance for an announcement of over $2 million in provincial age-friendly community projects. The City of Mount Pearl will be receiving $16,300 to help make the trail system more accessible for seniors. From left to right are Emma Thornhill, Agnes Murphy, Mildred Pretty, and Sheila Fever. Mark Squibb photo.
By Mark Squibb \ April 21, 2023
Members of the federal, provincial, and municipal governments, SeniorsNL, and local seniors’ groups crowded into the Pearlgate Track and Field building last Thursday afternoon for the announcement of over $2 million in grant money to make buildings and other infrastructure more accessible for seniors.
“I know that Mount Pearl has a very active seniors’ community and organizations within the community,” said Minister of Municipal and Provincial Affairs Krista Lynn Howell, the first of several guest speakers. “I had a bit of involvement with the Mount Pearl Seniors Independence Group years and years ago when I was a nursing student. My friend and I were placed in that group, and we had an incredible experience.”
Over 130 communities will receive a Building Age-Friendly Community Grant to upgrade public areas to accommodate the needs of seniors. The province is providing the funding on a 90/10 cost share basis with the towns and cities.
Mount Pearl will receive $16,320 in funding to improve access along the City’s trail system.
“An age-friendly community promotes good health, wellness, and safety, and instills stronger community connections,” said Howell. “These grants are intended to help municipalities make the necessary upgrades to accommodate the needs of seniors, and all individuals as they age.”
Grants awarded across the province include upgrades to municipal buildings, trails, washrooms, seating areas, and more.
Initially, government had only earmarked $400,000 for the initiative.
“Howell’s budget, if I remember correctly, when she put out the call for proposals, was $400,000,” said Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development John G. Abbott. “When she got in all the applications, we said ‘Uh-oh, we don’t have anywhere near the amount to meet all of those.’ So, she made her case to her colleagues, Treasury Board, and then Cabinet, and we came through for her.”
Kelly Heisz is the executive director with SeniorsNL and was on hand for the announcement.
“We look at how we can make our communities accessible, available, and inclusive to everyone,” said Heisz when chatting with reporters after the event. “This announcement today is absolutely fantastic.”
Heisz said one of the biggest barriers seniors face include access to walking trails. This is especially true for folks who rely on walkers, wheelchairs, or motorized vehicles. She added that many buildings, especially older buildings, often do not have accessibility features such as wheelchair ramps and doorframes wide enough to accommodate wheelchairs.
“Tackling those older buildings to modernize them and bring them up to higher accessibility standards will improve inclusion,” said Heisz. “So, if someone knows that they’re old public library is now accessible, or that they’re town hall or recreation centre is now more accessible, than they are more apt to visit.”
Heisz said it’s important when communities tackle accessibility issues that they consult with those that would benefit most from upgrades.
“It is the community that should help build the community,” said Heisz.
Mount Pearl Deputy Mayor Nicole Kieley also spoke at the event and tipped her hat to many in the room.
“The best advocates are those that are directly impacted… and I can’t imagine a better group than SeniorsNL, and our Seniors Independence Group, to be a strong voice and advocate for diversity and inclusion in our City,” said Kieley.
Fry suggests alternative to trashing bulk items
Mark Squibb \ April 21, 2023
Free annual bulk garbage collection in the City of Mount Pearl begins May 1, but one City councillor is encouraging residents to consider donating items rather than tossing them to the curb.
“I just wanted to throw it out there, that if you have some furniture or some gently used items that can perhaps be re-homed, rather than throw it out to the curb, donate it to a furniture bank or some of the thrift shops that will gladly take it,” said Isabelle Fry. “It’s a win-win because it keeps items out of the landfills, and they get re-homed, and that’s always a good thing.”
Councillor Jim Locke noted in past years the City had an ‘upcycling’ program wherein council would encourage residents to donate gently used items.
“If bulk garbage was on a Monday, the Sunday before we would put it out on our front lawns and people knew that whatever you put out on your front lawn that Sunday, it was free for the taking,” said Locke.
Director of Public Works Glen Dollimount confirmed Locke’s suspicion that the program fell to the wayside during COVID and added that while the program is not currently in effect, staff could look at implementing it again next year.
Locke said the program had a big uptake and helped reduce the amount of bulk garbage staff had to carry to the landfill.
“So, it reduced our workload, but equally important, if not more important, it reduced perfectly good things, as councillor Fry said, from going into the landfill. So, maybe we’ll put that on our agenda for next year.”
The free bulk garbage collection, once it begins May 1, will last for five weeks.
Loose materials must be bundled, boxed, or in clear bags, and not exceed 50 pounds. Residents must also separate metals from other bulk garbage.