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.
Mount Pearl to apply for provincial seniors grant
By Mark Squibb\April 6, 2023
The City of Mount Pearl last week voted to apply for provincial government funding for some new accessible picnic tables and benches.
“On February 20th, 2023, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador announced they were accepting applications for Building Age-Friendly Community Grants to help municipalities make necessary upgrades to their communities to accommodate the needs of seniors and all individuals as they age,” said councillor Bill Antle, who added that the Recreation and Community Safety Committee recommends approval to proceed with an application for funding for accessible picnic tables and benches for the total amount of $21,128.
Councillor Chelsea Lane seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
There was no further discussion on the matter.
St. Peter's Grade 9 Pythons Boys Basketball team brings home silver medals
The St. Peter’s Grade 9 Pythons Boys Basketball team brought home silver medals from Aurora, Ontario last week. The boys went 4-1 in the York North Basketball Association/St. Andrew’s College Spring Cup held at St. Andrew’s College. In the back row, from left to right, are coach Keith Molloy, Evan Rodgers, Isaiah Hudson, Reed Chafe, Jonah Kielly, Cameron Trowbridge, Luke Bramwell, Zach Roberts, Brody Roche, Matthew Murray, and coach Adam Lawlor. In the front row are Ethan Barry, Brandon Philpott, Brody Lawlor, Kole Spencer, and Blake Lane. Submitted photo
Phonse Cup Winners
Just a few weeks back, the Mark’s Mount Pearl Blades U18 team were named the 2023 U18 Tier 1 Champions. This week, the team won the Phonse Cup, so named after long time Glacier Arena Zamboni driver Tony ‘Phonse’ Fowlow. In the back row, from left to right are Coach Chad Hart, Jack Hart, Collin Martin, Jacob Payne, Jacob Smith, Jake Budgell, Zack Moyst and Carter Pelley. In the front, left to right, are Seamus Pinsent, Noah Carew, Coale Fitzgerald, Logan Holloway, Tate Cullen, Luc Brown, and Phil Snow. Missing from the photo are coaches Trevor Budgell and Darryl Smith, players Sam Henderson and Tyler Gough. The Phonse Cup has been ongoing since 2013 and has taken on even more significance since December 2021 when Fowlow, also known as the Earl of the Pearl, among other affectionate nicknames, suffered a stroke that left him paralyzed on one side. The event sparked a huge outpouring of support and financial help from many of the former players and their families who depended on Fowlow’s steady presence at first the Smallwood Arena and later the Glacier, over the years. Submitted photo
