Councillors break a sweat over exercise equipment cost

By Mark Squibb/April 28, 2022

The City’s receipt of just one bid for a Summit Centre fitness equipment maintenance contract led to a discussion on whether City employees can do the work themselves.

Councillor Chelsea Lane brought forward a recommendation from the Community Development Committee to award the contract for the preventative maintenance program, including comprehensive inspection, cleaning and lubrication of all fitness equipment at the Summit Centre, to Spartan Fitness for three years for a bid of $43,200.

The equipment will be served on a quarterly basis at a cost of $14,400 annually ($110 hourly). Included in the contract is an option to extend the services for a fourth year.

“Due to the limited availability of fitness equipment service providers locally, one bid only was received,” Lane noted.

Councillor Jim Locke, who said that council is increasingly receiving sole bids on different contracts, asked Director of Community Development Jason Collins if, based on past contracts, he was satisfied the City was getting a “good bang for the buck.”

Collins said the price was comparable to prices quoted in years past, and that it was only slightly higher than quotes of years gone by (a difference of several hundred dollars per year, he said.)

Locke said he was satisfied with the quote so long as it was comparable to years past.

Mayor Dave Aker, who noted that if you crunched the numbers, the quote worked out to about three hours of work per week, asked if City staff could do it themselves.

Collins said that staff do some of the cleaning and maintenance, but not the more technical aspects of the work.

“Staff are there, and work alongside the experts,” said Collins.

Aker said he was by no means going to hold up the contract, but did inquire further as to whether staff could do more of the work, rather than the City having to contract it out, and get the same result.

“If I can answer it this way, over the years, our staff have been doing more,” said Collins. “Because we’ve been consciously looking at this. But we still feel that experts are best to handle some of the tasks that are required, certainly in regard to the preventative maintenance.”

Councillor Mark Rice inquired as to what equipment is serviced under the contract, and Collins said that ‘essentially everything with moving parts’ is included.

Councillor Bill Antle added that staff at the Centre say the contract is well worth it in terms of equipment longevity and function.

“For the money that we’re spending, it’s saving us money in the long run because we’re getting more and more use out of these machines,” said Antle.

The motion to award the contract passed unanimously.

City approves emergency storm sewer repairs

By Mark Squibb/April 21, 2022

The City of Mount Pearl has approved costly emergency storm sewer repairs on Topsail Road.

“The work includes the removal and replacement of approximately 48 meters of CMP storm sewer pipe and installing new 1200-millimeter diameter HDPE storm sewer pipe,” explained councillor Mark Rice during the April 5 meeting. “The work will also include all related works, such as excavation and backfill, patching, landscaping, removal of temporary patch and reinforcement of asphalt, concrete curb and gutter.”

The city received three quotes at the March 16 deadline, and the Infrastructure and Public Works Committee recommend approval of a quote by Fairview Investments Ltd., the lowest qualified bidder, in the amount of $147,918, HST included.

Council voted unanimously that approval be granted for CAO Dana Spurrell to submit an application for gas tax funding to the Gas Tax Secretariat for the necessary amount.

“It is what it is,” summarized Mayor Dave Aker. “The word ‘emergency’ here is really more coming out of the Public Tender Act, but this is urgent that we get this done before any further damage is done to our roadway or any other neighbouring infrastructure.”

The motion passed without further discussion.

Antle not impressed with state of fence

By Mark Squibb/April 14, 2022

The need for fence repairs at St. David’s Park has raised the ire of one Mount Pearl City councillor.

“The fence is five years old, and here we are repairing the fence,” said councillor Bill Antle during last week’s public meeting. “When you build a fence, you think you’re going to get 20 years out of it.”

Councillor Isabelle Fry had brought the motion to make the repairs forward.

“Back in 2016 as a part of the re-development plan, a fence was installed around St. David’s Park,” explained Fry. “The fence is now in a bit of disrepair, sagging in places, and two sections require replacement. Staff reviewed the matter and determined that the five-year warranty on the fence has expired. The fence was initially installed as part of the St. David’s Park redevelopment by Provincial Fence Products via a general contractor, Redwood Construction. Provincial Fence Products have provided a quote for the repair work required, to remove sections of fence in order to repair brackets, regrade posts, etcetera, in the amount of $10,190, HST included.”

Fry moved to approve the required repairs at the quoted price, with the work to be carried out this spring. She said further that as it was an unanticipated, and therefore unbudgeted, expense, council has to dip into a 2022 capital reserve budget to cover the cost.

She noted the parts are being supplied by the company free of charge, and that the costs are entirely for labor.

“Well, good thing I would say,” quipped Mayor Dave Aker.

Antle said that while he was disappointed the fence needs to be repaired in the first place, he was glad the company is providing the parts free of charge.

“It’s like, as soon the warranty is over, something breaks,” said Antle. “So, I’m certainly happy we’re getting it done. Let’s get it done and get our fence back again, but I’m kind of disappointed we’re doing it.”

Put to a vote, the motion to approve the repairs passed unanimously.

True Colours

City approves colour changes for new smart playground

By Mark Squibb/April 14, 2022

Mount Pearl has approved a new change order for the St. David’s Smart Accessible Playground. Change orders are typically prompted by the contractor as they encounter unforeseen project challenges — this change order however was prompted by the City, as a result of feedback from residents.

“It was identified that increasing the colour contrast between the structures and rubberized surface would increase safety, to ensure that persons with visual disabilities or impairments can see the structure elements such as steps, structure entrances, etc.,” explained councillor Isabelle Fry during last week’s meeting. “So, staff worked with the consultant to identify the least expensive option to effectively improve the contrast and maximize safety. Changing the colours of the structures, if done prior to ordering, would be at no extra materials cost, and there would be a consultant change order to TRACT for $862.50, HST included.”

The change order was actually approved back in February, when, in the interest of timing, said Fry, the Director of Infrastructure and Public Works and the CAO agreed to authorize the equipment colour change and the consultant change order on February 18.

Council’s duty was to ratify the decision, which they did so unanimously.

TRACT, the project consultant, is confirming with Modern Paving, the contractor, that the change order will result in no additional construction costs or delays.

Deputy Mayor Nicole Kieley applauded the change.

“I think anytime we have an opportunity to make something more accessible, and listen to our consultants and community groups, it’s a great thing,” said Kieley.

The project has undergone a number of change orders, as council has added features such as ramps, ground-based activity panels, and an adult change table.

“While this project is overbudget, considering the low cost of this change order, the construction risk budget can be adjusted to absorb this expense and preserve the previous projection amount to council,” said Fry.

Ethan Moore of the Marks Mount Pearl Blades pounds the winning goal past Moor Frost CBN Stars goaltender Riley Petten at nearly four minutes into the second sudden death overtime period to win the St. John’s Junior Hockey League championship Friday night. The game seven final was played in front of a capacity crowd at the Bat Arena in Bay Roberts. Moore scored on a penalty shot. The Blades outshot the Stars 68-28 to win the game 3-2. Despite being badly outshot, for much of the third period it looked like the Stars would win the contest, nursing a 2-1 lead over the Blades until there just over two minutes left in the game when Vijay Sahajpal tied it up with Noah Rowe and Noah Harty assisting. It was the second junior hockey final series in a row to go the full seven games and into double overtime. The last time, before Covid suspended much of the league’s play for two years, was in 2019 when Mount Pearl was edged out of the win by the CBR Renegades.

A collision between Mount Pearl Blades captain Jack Keough and CBN Stars goalie Riley Petten in the latter part of Sunday’s Game six Junior Hockey final series sparked a minor fracas in a rough, penalty-strewn game that saw the Conception Bay squad win 6-1, tying the best of seven series at three games each. The seventh and final game to crown this year’s champion will be held at the Bay Arena in Bay Roberts on Friday, starting at 7:30 p.m.

Mount Pearl soccer ready to celebrate a golden year

By Mark Squibb/April 7, 2022

The Mount Pearl Soccer Association (MPSA) is gearing up for a full season’s worth of celebrations as the club marks its fiftieth anniversary this year.

President C.J. Nolan said the club is eager to celebrate its storied history. The official kick off and anniversary logo unveiling was held some weeks back, and the celebrations begin in earnest in May, with an ages 15 - 17 Metro/Premier Youth League Tournament. The club’s season begins on June 25.

MPSA will also host a Vancouver White Caps Camp in July and the annual 'Super Soccer Saturday' in September. In addition, the Club will offer a number of activities for which you don’t need your soccer cleats, including a handful of Family Fun Runs, reunion dances, a pre-teen dance, and an outdoor movie.

“We really wanted to make it a fun year,” said Nolan. “Soccer is our core value, and making a lifelong love of soccer is our mandate, but we also have to have a culture where it’s inclusive, and we try to include families in a lot of these activities. There are moms and dads and brothers and sisters and nans and pops coming to the field, and we really wanted to try to include them as much as we can.”

The schedule of activities was based in part on fortieth anniversary celebrations.

“There’s been some great leaders and great people at Mount Pearl Soccer and we’ve copied what was done really well in the past, especially during our fortieth celebration,” said Nolan. “Craig Dwyer, our vice president, is our leader for the fiftieth anniversary and Craig has really taken on this with the help of some volunteers and the board of Mount Pearl Soccer and even our employees.”

The season’s festivities culminate in a Hall of Fame Awards Dinner in November.

As per provincial regulations, activities this season are able to go ahead without arduous COVID-19 guidelines that have governed the last two seasons.

Nolan said they are approaching the season with a ‘hope for the best, plan for the worst’ type of mentality.

“We take things step-by-step, a day at a time here, but we do plan ahead for these things ahead of time,” said Nolan. “We’ve rolled with the punches at Mount Pearl Soccer fairly well now for two years, and again, if something sidetracks us or we have to go a different direction, our board has been great, and so is our technical director and our office coordinator, at really shifting fast. It’s been great. But I think we just need to take it a day at a time.”

The club was founded in 1972 by Ed Moyst, who is still involved in the program.

More ado about council minutes

By Mark Squibb/April 7, 2022

A Mount Pearl City councillor feels the City should put more emphasis on uploading draft meeting minutes online for the public to access.

The conversation came about after Deputy Mayor Nicole Kiley made a motion to slightly amend City regulations at last week’s meeting.

The section in question reads in full, “Minutes of the Public Council Meeting will be placed on the City’s website within three (3) working days following completion with a statement to the effect that such minutes are not the official transcript, which can only be provided following their adoption at the next meeting of Council.” The proposed amendment would change “the next meeting of council” to “a public meeting of council.” A new section would then be added, stating that minutes of the public council meeting will be placed on the City’s website within three working days following their adoption at a public meeting of Council.

Kiley said the amendment is to ensure the public is provided with an accurate and complete set of council minutes in a timely manner. She said the amendment would also ensure everyone is on the same page regarding what to expect, and when.

City Clerk Stacey Pratt explained that under the former regulation, it was unclear as to what ‘completion’ meant.

“This just tightens it up, so now we have three working days following adoption, so now we have a clear start and a clear ending,” said Pratt. “Like Deputy Mayor Kiley said. It’s a tightening up so there’s only one singular practise being followed.”   

Councilor Jim Locke noted that with the technology available today, such as Voice to Note software, it may be that verbatim minutes may be made available shortly following the meeting, and that the committee was looking into that possibility.

Councilor Isabelle Fry, had an admittedly different opinion on the matter.

“What would be the downside in posting the minutes directly after the meeting with a caveat that these are still in draft and that they won’t be formal until the adoption at the following meeting?” asked Fry, who expressed concern over the length of time it will take for minutes to become published under the new regulation. In most scenarios that period will be more than two weeks.

Pratt confirmed that minutes would be posted between one and three days after being adopted at the following meeting. As council typically meets every two weeks, this would mean it could take about 17 days for the minutes to be published.

“To your point about, why not post the draft minutes immediately after they’re prepared, the risk there would be action,” said Pratt. “So, if the minutes are posted and there’s an incorrect note in there or there’s an error or an incorrect direction or a note for approval or whatever the case may be, and the public or a member of the media or whatnot acts on it, that’s the risk.”

Pratt noted that adopted minutes have been combed through and any mistakes corrected before being published.

Fry said she agreed with that point, but allowed that residents might still like to see a synopsis of the meeting rather than having to watch it in its entirety (this particular meeting ran for an hour and forty minutes.)

“For example, if we do something at this meeting now, it won’t be known to the public until the minutes are posted for what, two weeks, almost three weeks, and that’s not really timely,” said Fry. “So, I’m just wondering if we could maybe reconsider and have a draft posted.”

Pratt noted that draft minutes are posted with the agenda for the upcoming meeting, so it’s not quite two weeks before the draft minutes appear online. Finalized minutes would be posted within one to three business days following their adoption, two weeks out from the meeting.

Fry said she understand the rationale, but that she would still like to see the minutes posted in a timelier manner.

“Personally, I don’t see any harm posting it as a draft,” she concluded.

Mayor Dave Aker said that the regulations represented a minimum standard and that council could go ‘over and above ‘if they so desired.

Councillor Bill Antle posited that if council can post draft minutes with the fololowing meeting agenda, they ought to be able to publish draft minutes more immediately following the meeting that the minutes actually recorded. He also pointed out that the meetings are livestreamed, and that anybody at anytime can tune in and watch as they see fit.

“There’s always a record of what happened in the meeting in the video,” agreed Mayor Dave Aker. “The purpose of the minutes, frankly, isn’t to get into too much verbatim, it’s (to reflect) the intention of council. And, if we as colleagues don’t sit down and look at those minutes and all agree that that was the intent of council, that doesn’t mean that those minutes were really that valid. Certainly, we would want someone looking at them. I think that’s the intent here, is to get the minutes right. But to councillor Antle’s point, you can still see what we discussed and what we decided, but I do belive the minutes are going to be a synopsis of what happened, but I think they have to be approved by members of council at the end of the day.”

Aker noted that he’s been at the council table for 12 years, and that changes to minutes are incredibly rare.

Town CAO Dana Spurrell reiterated that folks can tune into the livestream video or a recording of it at anytime, and that draft minutes are posted with the following agenda. She said it takes time for staff to vet and document the draft minutes before being published, so staff could probably get a draft on the website earlier, though she’s not sure how much earlier. She added the regulation referred to the official minutes, not draft minutes.

After a few more minutes of discussion, the matter was put to a vote. Fry voted against the motion, but proposed an amendment that the draft minutes be posted as soon as they are ready. That motion also carried.