Municipality of the District of Clare
COUNCIL-IN-COMMITTEE MEETING
Wednesday, April 5th, 2017 at 7:00 pm
PRESENT: Council: Warden Ronnie LeBlanc, Deputy Warden Nil Doucet, Councillors,
Danny Hill, Hector Thibault, Carl Deveau, Brian Comeau, Eric Pothier and Yvon LeBlanc.
Staff: CAO, Stéphane Cyr; Administrative Assistant to the CAO, Alain Poirier, Tourism Manager, Larry Peach.
Public: None
ABSENT: None
1) Call to order
Warden Ronnie LeBlanc called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.
2) (a) Approval of the agenda
The Warden asked that the following items be added to the Agenda.
• Item 6.10 - House next to Medical Centre, under New Business.
• Item - 8.3 Placide Comeau Road, in Closed Session
• Item 8.4 - Rural Internet in Closed Session
MOVED BY Councillor Brian Comeau and SECONDED BY Councillor Danny Hill that the proposed agenda be approved with the above noted additions.
MOTION CARRIED
(b) Declaration of conflict of interest
Warden Ronnie LeBlanc asked for any declarations of conflict of interest.
None declared
3) Presentations
None
4) Staff reports
4.1 Cape St.-Mary’s Lighthouse – Larry Peach
The Tourism Manager, Larry Peach, presented the revised budget for the Cape St. Mary Lighthouse project. The total project cost is projected at $167,024. Of this amount, the Municipality will contribute up to $83,512 (or 50% of the total project costs). Council was reminded that a significant portion of the Municipality’s contribution ($68,982) was comprised of funds received from DFO as part of the lighthouse divestiture process. Council passed the following motion:
PROPOSED BY Councillor Yvon LeBlanc and SECONDED BY Councillor Brian Comeau that Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend contributing the amount of $83,512.31 towards the Cape St.-Mary’s Lighthouse project.
MOTION CARRIED
4.2 Financial report – Stéphane Cyr
The CAO updated Council as to the Municipality’s financial position (See attached).
5) Business arising from previous meetings
5.1 UNESCO Designation (SNBRA) – Councillor Carl Deveau
Councillor Carl Deveau suggested discussing this item when Council meets to review the applications received under Grants-to-Organizations.
5.2 Finale des Jeux de l’Acadie
The CAO provided an update as to the required infrastructure needed to host the finals of ‘‘les Jeux de l’Acadie’’. According the Réanne Titus, Interim Recreation Manager, Clare can accommodate most of the events which comprise the finals. The one main issue remains the lack of a proper facility for Track and Field. Housing the athletes as well as the use of US-A facilities (during French immersion camps) is also a challenge and needs to be explored further prior to submitting a bid for the games.
5.3 Letter to Fire Departments
The CAO shared a letter with Council which will be issued to the Municipality’s eight fire departments. In it, the Municipality is requesting each department provide it with a copy of their year-end financial statements, as a means of ensuring proper planning as it relates to the Municipality’s ongoing investments in the volunteer fire service. The letter also advises the departments of the Municipality’s intention to proceed with an independent, third party assessment of its fire service. (See attached)
Council agreed with the content of the letter.
6) New business
6.1 Low Income Tax Exemption
Given the amount of the low-income tax exemption was raised significantly in 2016-17, the CAO recommended no change to the exemption amount of $300 in 2017-18. Council passed the following motion:
PROPOSED BY Councillor Danny Hill and SECONDED BY Councillor Yvon LeBlanc that Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend setting the low-income property tax rebate for households earning less than $18,500 per annum at $300 for 2017-18.
MOTION CARRIED
6.2 Letter – Electoral Boundaries
The FANE has made their position clear on the subject of the protected Acadian ridings and are asking that these ridings be reinstated prior to the next provincial election. The Warden has been approached as to the Municipality’s position on the matter and is recommending a letter outlining said position be sent to the Province’s three political parties. Council passed the following motion:
PROPOSED BY Councillor Hector Thibault and SECONDED BY Councillor Eric Pothier that Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend writing a letter to the Province’s three political parties clearly stating the Municipality’s desire to see the three protected Acadian electoral districts, previously eliminated in 2012, reinstated.
MOTION CARRIED
6.3 Email from Louis R. Comeau
The CAO read the correspondence from Mr. Comeau (See attached).
Although the maintenance of the churches located in the Municipality is certainly challenging, Council is not prepared to start financing churches which are owned by the Diocese. This position is consistent with that of the provincial and federal governments and applies to all churches, regardless of denomination.
A response will be prepared for Mr. Comeau thanking him for his email and inviting him to continue this dialogue with the Municipality’s Tourism Manager.
6.4 Symposium – Cannabis Legalization and Municipal Impacts
UNSM will host a symposium in Halifax on May 26, 2017 for CAO’s and elected officials. The subject will be Cannabis Legalization and Municipal Impacts.
The Warden mentioned that he would like to see Council represented at this symposium given the current federal-led efforts to legalize cannabis, the results of which will almost certainly impact municipal units.
6.5 Committee reports
In an effort to be more efficient, Councillors wishing to provide committee reports must now advise the Administrative Assistant to the CAO prior to distribution of the agenda.
6.6 Noise By-law Amendment (1st reading)
The proposed Noise By-law Amendment was presented for Council’s consideration. It has been recommended by the Municipality’s By-law Committee and vetted by the Municipality’s solicitor. Council reviewed the amended By-law and passed the following motion:
PROPOSED BY Councillor Danny Hill and SECONDED BY Councillor Hector Thibault the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend reading By-law No. 9 Amendment No. 09-01-2017, a By-law Respecting Noise and that the By-law be read for the first time by Title only.
MOTION CARRIED
6.7 The Big Red Ball – Yarmouth Hospital Foundation
The CAO informed Council of the Yarmouth Hospital Foundation’s upcoming Spring Gala. This year’s theme is the Big Red Ball. Traditionally, the Municipality purchases a table (8 seats) for this event. The cost to do so this year is $1,200. Council was in favour and passed the following motion:
PROPOSED BY Deputy Warden Nil Doucet and SECONDED BY Councillor Yvon LeBlanc that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend purchasing a table at the Big Red Ball – Yarmouth Hospital Foundation Spring Gala, in the amount of $1,200.
MOTION CARRIED
6.8 Letter – The Story of Us, a CBC history of Canada
Council was disappointed by the CBC’s decision to not include the Acadian and Mi’kmaq history as part of its miniseries and agreed a letter expressing its disappointment regarding this omission should be sent to the Corporation. The following motion was passed:
PROPOSED BY Councillor Hector Thibault and SECONDED BY Councillor Eric Pothier that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend writing a letter to the CBC, expressing its disappointment in the Corporation’s failure to recognize the collective early history of the Acadians and the Mi’kmaq, as part of its miniseries Canada: The Story of Us.
MOTION CARRIED
6.9 Little Brook Fire Department – Councillor Danny Hill
At a recent Clare Firefighters Association meeting, it was brought to the group’s attention that Little Brook’s High Pressure Breathing Air Fill Station was not working. This is a valued piece of safety equipment which serves several of the Municipality’s fire departments. The estimated replacement cost is $900 plus HST. Council agreed but is waiting on additional information prior to proceeding with a formal motion.
6.10 House next to the Medical Centre
The CAO mentioned that the municipally-owned house (8543 Highway 1, Meteghan Centre) next to the Medical Centre is in need of costly repairs – new roof, windows, furnace, insulation, plumbing, electrical, etc. Given the current state of the house and the limited use by the Municipality, it is the recommendation of both the Building Inspector and the CAO that it be demolished. Council agreed and passed the following motion:
PROPOSED BY Councillor Carl Deveau and SECONDED BY Councillor Danny Hill that the
Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend demolishing the house located at 8543 Highway 1 Meteghan Centre (next to the Medical Centre).
MOTION CARRIED
7) Questions and comments from the public
None.
8) Closed Session
PROPOSED BY Deputy Warden Nil Doucet and SECONDED BY Councillor Yvon LeBlanc that Council proceed to an In-Camera Session.
MOTION CARRIED
Topics discussed:
- 8.1 Electoral Boundaries
- 8.2 Scotia Recycling Ltd.
- 8.3 Placide Comeau Rd.
- 8.4 Rural Internet
PROPOSED BY Deputy Warden Nil Doucet and SECONDED BY Councillor Hector Thibault that Council proceed to the Regular Council Meeting.
MOTION CARRIED
PROPOSED BY Councillor Danny Hill and SECONDED BY Councillor Hector Thibault that Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend paying $10,000 (all inclusive) to Scotia Recycling Ltd. to resolve the matter relating to the damaged processing equipment.
MOTION CARRIED
9) Date and time of next Council-in-Committee Meeting
The next Council-in-Committee Meeting will be held on May 3rd, 2017 at 7:00 PM.
10) Adjournment
PROPOSED BY Deputy Warden Nil Doucet to adjourn the meeting at 9:27 PM.