In Brief: Council approves downtown budget

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Bathurst city council has approved the first reading of a bylaw to accept the 2024 budget and business improvement levy for the Downtown Bathurst Revitalization Corporation.

The first reading passed unanimously during the Nov. 20 regular public meeting, for the budget which totals $104,861, and is paid for through the $2 per $1,000 of assessment levy.

Prior to the vote, city clerk Amy-Lynn Parker told council a public notice was published and there were no written objections to the budget or levy. Council did not hear any in-person objections at the meeting.

Later in the meeting council passed a motion to approve a $50,000 grant to downtown Bathurst, a matter it says was discussed in-camera in July.

During the Downtown Bathurst Revitalization Corporation budget presentation, general manager Katherine Lanteigne asked council for a grant to help develop a piece of property purchased downtown. She did not disclose where the property is or what type of development will take place.

Bylaws read

Council passed first readings for a number of municipal bylaws during the meeting.

The bylaw regulating proceedings of municipal council passed the first reading.

At a past council meeting it was explained the bylaw would make changes including more public council meetings – three public and one in-camera each month.

Coun. Stephan Legacy proposed meetings remain on Mondays, however no councillor seconded his motion so it went to the vote unchanged. Council voted in favour of the bylaw change except for Legacy.

Council voted unanimously in favour for the first reading of a bylaw establishing a code of conduct for elected officials, meant to “establish ethical standards and rules of conduct that guide and govern members with respect to their roles and responsibilities as elected representatives of the City of Bathurst.”

A draft resolution on a policy for workplace diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging was approved by council. The resolution says the city knows “that differences make us stronger, more innovative and better equipped to address the challenges of the future.”

The draft resolution relating to public use of facilities at city hall, which allows the rental of spaces in the building by outside groups, was also approved.

Council has approved the draft resolution of its volunteer recognition policy, which acknowledges the city will recognize community volunteers annually at a volunteer recognition night.

A policy relating to the donation of city flags has been repealed. Council discussed the policy during a past council meeting where council decided the city clerk can determine if flags are donated.

Tenders awarded

The city awarded the contract for the trucking of highway salt to RH Frenette Ltd. at a cost of $119,850 plus tax.

Bathurst will continue to purchase its road salt from Nutrien in Sussex for the 2023-2024 season.

Council passed a motion that it will purchase about 3,000 metric tonnes totalling $193,800 plus tax.

City engineer Matthew Abernethy said the approved tenders allow the city to keep its roads salted for ice control through the winter months.

Council also awarded the tender for chlorine for the city’s water treatment plant to Brenntag Canada Inc., based in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, at a cost of $118,728 plus tax over three years.