Municipality of the District of Clare
COUNCIL-IN-COMMITTEE MEETING
Wednesday, December 1, 2021, at 7:15 pm

Meeting held at 1185 Highway 1, Little Brook

PRESENT: Council: Warden Yvon LeBlanc, Deputy Warden Eric Pothier, Councillors, Nil Doucet, Danny Hill, Philippe Gaudet, Carl Deveau, Brian Comeau, and Nadine Comeau
Staff: CAO, Stéphane Cyr, Executive Assistant, Ashley Hanks, Communications Officer, Amy Paradis and Director of Finance, Ginette Cheff
Presenters: Pamela Mehlman-Shand, Area Manager, Nova Scotia Public Works, and Melvin Deveau, Nova Scotia Public Works
ABSENT:  

1) Call to Order
The Warden called the meeting to order at 7:15 pm.

2) Approval of the Agenda

MOVED BY Councillor Danny Hill and SECONDED BY Councillor Carl Deveau that the proposed agenda be approved as circulated.
MOTION CARRIED

3) Declaration of Conflict of Interest.
None declared.

4) Presentations

4.1 Nova Scotia Public Works – Pamela Mehlman-Shand, Area Manager.
Pamela Mehlman-Shand and Melvin Deveau of the Nova Scotia Department of Public Works (NSPW) provided an update on various issues of concern previously put forward by Council to the Department. The discussion also touched on a handful of upcoming NSPW projects as well as a process for improving communications between NSPW and the Municipality. To this end, it was agreed that NSPW representatives and Council would meet twice a year (or as required) to discuss issues of concern and/or mutual interest.   

5) Staff Reports
5.1 Financial Update
The Director of Finance provided an overview of the Municipality’s financial position. (See attached)

6) Business arising from Previous Meetings
None.

7) New Business
7.1 RFP – Detailed Design, Clare Health Centre Expansion
Doctor recruitment remains a top priority for the Municipality. In support of its ongoing efforts to recruit new doctors to the community and maintain its existing community practice model, the Municipality is exploring a physical expansion to the Clare Health Centre. To this end, a request for proposals for the Detailed Design of the Clare Health Centre Expansion was issued with a closing date of November 29, 2021. A total of three bids were received. Following a review of the bids, the CAO is recommending Council accept the proposal from DSRA Architecture Inc., in the amount of $189,192 plus HST. Council made the following motion to recommend:

PROPOSED BY Councillor Nil Doucet and SECONDED BY Councillor Danny Hill that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend accepting the proposal from DSRA Architecture Inc. for the Detailed Design of the Clare Health Centre Expansion, in the amount of $189,192 plus HST.
MOTION CARRIED

7.2 RFP – Detailed Design, Wayfinding and Gateway Signage System
The request for proposals for the Detailed Design of the Wayfinding and Gateway Signage System was issued as part of the Tourism Public Spaces Project. It closed on November 19, 2021. A total of five bids were received. Following a review of the bids, both the CAO and Tourism Manager are recommending Council accept the proposal from Denise Saulnier Design, in the amount of $14,500 (inclusive of HST). Council made the following motion to recommend:

PROPOSED BY Deputy Warden Eric Pothier and SECONDED BY Councillor Brian Comeau that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend accepting the proposal from Denise Saulnier Design for the Detailed Design of the Wayfinding and Gateway Signage System in the amount of $14,500 (inclusive of HST).
MOTION CARRIED

7.3 RFP – Detailed Design, Cape Saint Mary Lighthouse Interpretive Centre
The request for proposals for the Detailed Design of the Cape Saint Mary Lighthouse Interpretive Centre was issued as part of the Tourism Public Spaces Project. It closed on November 19, 2021. A total of three bids were received. Following a review of the bids, both the CAO and Tourism Manager are recommending Council accept the proposal from Denise Saulnier Design, in the amount of $35,050 (inclusive of HST). Council made the following motion to recommend:

PROPOSED BY Councillor Carl Deveau and SECONDED BY Councillor Philippe Gaudet that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend accepting the proposal from Denise Saulnier Design for the Detailed Design of the Cape Saint Mary Lighthouse Interpretive Centre, in the amount of $35,050 (inclusive of HST).
MOTION CARRIED

7.4 Repairs – Belliveau Cove Wharf
Portions of decking at the end of the Belliveau Cove Wharf need replacement. Given the potential safety implications, staff is recommending this work be carried out as soon as possible. Quotes were sought and a bid was received from R. Belliveau Carpentry and Woodworks in the amount of $5,000 plus HST. It is the recommendation of the CAO and staff that Council accepts this proposal. Council made the following motion to recommend:

PROPOSED BY Councillor Danny Hill and SECONDED BY Deputy Warden Eric Pothier that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend accepting the proposal from R. Belliveau Carpentry and Woodworks in the amount of $5,000 plus HST for the replacement of decking on the Belliveau Cove Wharf and that this amount be taken from the Municipality’s Capital Reserve.
MOTION CARRIED

7.5 Letter of Support – Scotia Garden Seafood Inc.
The CAO was contacted by Scotia Garden Seafood Inc. for a letter in support of their funding application to the Low Carbon Communities Program for the revitalization of an anaerobic digester site in the Municipality. Thus far, the company has invested significantly in cleaning up the site. With the clean-up now complete, Scotia Gardens Seafood Inc. is focusing its efforts on the digestor itself. Dealings with this company to date have been very positive and the CAO is recommending Council issue the requested letter of support. Council agreed and passed the following motion to recommend:

PROPOSED BY Councillor Carl Deveau and SECONDED BY Councillor Philippe Gaudet that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend writing a letter to Scotia Garden Seafood Inc. in support of their application for funding under the Low Carbon Communities Program for the revitalization of an anaerobic digester site in the Municipality.         
MOTION CARRIED

8) Questions and Comments from the Public
None.

9) Closed Session
None.

9) Date and time of the next Council-in-Committee Meeting
The next Council-in-Committee Meeting will be held on January 5, 2022, at 7:00 pm.

10) Adjournment
PROPOSED BY Councillor Nil Doucet to adjourn the meeting at 9:19 pm.

Submitted by
Ashley Hanks,
Executive Assistant