Municipality of the District of Clare
COUNCIL-IN-COMMITTEE MEETING
Wednesday, February 2, 2022, at 7:00 pm
Meeting held Virtually via Microsoft Teams

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, Director of Finance, Ginette Cheff and Recreation Manager, Tori Comeau
ABSENT: 

1) Call to Order
The Warden called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.

2) Approval of the Agenda
The CAO asked that the following items be added to the agenda:

• 7.4 Letter – The Honourable John Lohr, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing
• 7.5 Letter of Support – Clare Golf and Country Club

MOVED BY Councillor Danny Hill and SECONDED BY Councillor Carl Deveau that the proposed agenda be approved with the above noted additions.
MOTION CARRIED

3) Declaration of Conflict of Interest.
None declared.

4) Presentations
None.

5) Staff Reports
5.1 Recreation Infrastructure, Havelock Community Centre – Recreation Manager, Tori Comeau
The Municipality was approached by community stakeholders Shawn Craven and Kathryn Brooks regarding the possibility of constructing a multi-use court at its Havelock Community Centre. The project would allow for a dedicated space for ball hockey and basketball, among other activities, and has the support of the local community and the Havelock Community Centre Board.

The Municipality’s Recreation Manager, Tori Comeau, has prepared a short proposal for Council’s review, outlined design options, possible locations, and preliminary cost estimates of $72,461 (See attached). The CAO and staff are supportive of this project and are recommending that the Municipality apply to the Nova Scotia Recreation Facilities Development Fund for 1/3 of eligible project costs (the maximum allowable under this program), and that it (the Municipality) commits to providing the balance of funding needed for this project. Council agreed and made the following motion to recommend:

PROPOSED BY Councillor Danny Hill and SECONDED BY Councillor Carl Deveau that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend approving a contribution of up to $60,000 towards the construction of a multi-use court to be located at the Havelock Community Centre, conditional upon confirmation of the balance of project funding, and that this contribution be taken from the Municipality’s Capital Reserve.
MOTION CARRIED

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

6) Business Arising from Previous Meetings
6.1 Accessibility Advisory Committee
The inaugural meeting of the Accessibility Advisory Committee will be held February 3, 2022. Council has already appointed Trudy Bengivenni and Edwin Deveau to the Committee as community representatives. A third individual, Lonnie McNeill, has confirmed his interest in joining the Committee. Mr. McNeill has long worked with and advocated for persons with disabilities and in the opinion of the CAO, would be a valued addition to the Committee. Council agreed and made the following motion to recommend:

PROPOSED BY Councillor Philippe Gaudet and SECONDED BY Councillor Danny Hill that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend appointing Lonnie McNeill to its Accessibility Advisory Committee.
MOTION CARRIED

7) New Business
7.1 New Road Name – Island View Lane
The Municipality was approached to name a private road. All three of the affected landowners agree with the proposed name. Furthermore, the proposed name is compliant with the Municipality’s Road Naming Policy. As such, the CAO and staff are recommending Council proceed with the road naming as requested.  Council agreed and made the following motion to recommend:

PROPOSED BY Deputy Warden Eric Pothier and SECONDED BY Councillor Carl Deveau that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend approving the request to name the road shared by the PIDs (Property Identification Number) listed below, as follows:

In English: Island View Lane
In French: ruelle Island View

MOTION CARRIED

7.2 Municipality of Clare – Tax Sale 2022
The Municipality’s tax sale is held once a year, in the month of March, and is traditionally conducted using an in-person auction format. This year, given the prevalence of Covid-19 cases, the CAO is recommending the Municipality proceed with a tax sale by tender format where prospective bidders would submit a sealed bid for those properties in which they are interested. This process is not uncommon and has been widely used by municipalities throughout Nova Scotia since the onset of the pandemic. Council agreed with the recommended approach. Staff will ensure that all marketing / advertising is revised accordingly to properly communicate this year’s format.  

7.3 Traffic Lights, Intersection of Highway 101 and Starrs Road
There is no advanced flashing green left turn signal at the intersection of Highway 101 and Starrs Road for those motorists wishing to turn left onto the 101. Other intersections along Starrs Road have such a turn signal. Starrs Road is heavily travelled and is often congested throughout the day, particularly during the afternoon rush hour, when motorists (including many residents from Clare) are driving home from their places of employment in Yarmouth. Given these conditions, the absence of an advanced flashing green left turn signal at this intersection is considered by many to be hazard for drivers.

Councillor Brian Comeau has previously raised this issue with the Mayor of the Town of Yarmouth, Pam Mood, and with the Area Manager for NS Public Works, Pamela Mehlman-Shand, to no avail. Since there appears to have been no movement to date on this issue, Councillor Comeau is requesting a letter be sent from Council to Mrs. Mehlman-Shand reiterating these concerns. Council agreed and made the following motion to recommend:

PROPOSED BY Councillor Brian Comeau and SECONDED BY Councillor Danny Hill that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend writing a letter to Pamela Mehlman-Shand, Area Manager for Nova Scotia Public Works, citing safety concerns at the intersection of Starrs Road and Highway 101 and requesting the installation of an advanced flashing green left turn signal.
MOTION CARRIED

7.4 Letter – The Honourable John Lohr, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing
The CAO read a letter from the Honourable John Lohr, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing (See attached).

A number of project possibilities were discussed - the Transfer Station, d’Entremont Road, St. Mary’s Bay Estates, and the Patrice Road. The CAO will explore these further and report back to Council once the new program criteria from Nova Scotia Municipal Affairs and Housing is known.

7.5 Letter of Support – Clare Golf and Country Club
Clare Golf and Country Club is submitting a request for funding to the Nova Scotia Recreation Facilities Development Fund to aid with the cost of replacing a golf cart / equipment storage shed (including contents) which was recently destroyed by fire. As part of this application, the Club is requesting a letter of support from the Municipality. Council agreed and made the following motion to recommend:

PROPOSED BY Councillor Philippe Gaudet and SECONDED BY Councillor Carl Deveau that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend writing a letter to the Clare Golf and Country Club in support of their application to the Province of Nova Scotia’s Recreation Facilities Development Fund.
MOTION CARRIED

8) Questions and Comments from the Public
None.

9) Closed Session

PROPOSED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau and SECONDED BY Councillor Carl Deveau that Council proceed to closed session.
MOTION CARRIED

Topics Discussed:
9.1 Contract Negotiations
9.2 Personnel Matters

PROPOSED BY Councillor Nil Doucet and SECONDED BY Councillor Danny Hill that Council proceed to the Regular Council Meeting.
MOTION CARRIED

MOVED BY Councillor Carl Deveau and SECONDED BY Councillor Danny Hill that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend accepting the proposed municipal employee salary scales, for the three-year period commencing April 1, 2022, and ending March 31, 2025, as presented.
MOTION CARRIED

9) Date and time of the next Council-in-Committee Meeting
The next Council-in-Committee Meeting will be held on March 2, 2022, at 7:00 pm.

10) Adjournment
PROPOSED BY Councillor Nil Doucet to adjourn the meeting at 8:50 pm.

Submitted by
Ashley Hanks
Executive Assistant