Municipality of the District of Clare

COUNCIL-IN-COMMITTEE MEETING

Wednesday, November 1st, 2017 at 7:00 pm

PRESENT: Council: Warden Ronnie LeBlanc, Deputy Warden Nil Doucet, Councillors, Danny Hill, Hector Thibault, Carl Deveau, Eric Pothier and Yvon LeBlanc.

Staff: CAO, Stéphane Cyr; Administrative Assistant to the CAO, Alain Poirier, Director of Finance, Ginette Cheff and Director of Community Development, Pam Doucet.

Public:

ABSENT: Councillor Brian Comeau

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

-   6.5 Letter to Clare-Digby MLA, Gordon Wilson, under “New Business”
-   6.6 School Closures, under “New Business”
-   8.2 Rural Internet, under “Closed Session”

MOVED BY Councillor Danny Hill and SECONDED BY Councillor Yvon LeBlanc that the proposed agenda be approved with the above noted addition.
MOTION CARRIED

(b) Declaration of conflict of interest

Warden Ronnie LeBlanc asked for any declarations of conflict of interest.

Councillor Eric Pothier declared himself in a conflict of interest regarding item 6.6

3) Presentations

3.1 Baie en Joie

Mrs. Monette Boudreau explained the issue the Baie en Joie and Ecole de danse Helena are facing with the closure of schools in Clare. She requested Council help find solutions to find a new location for both groups. Mrs. Boudreau inquired if any suggestions were available for the upcoming closure of the school where practices are now being held.

Council will take some time to think of different solutions and will keep Mrs. Boudreau informed. The CAO mentioned the Community Development Officer, Réanne Flynn is currently in discussions with Helena to explore possibilities.

4) Staff reports

4.1 Gran Fondo

Results of the Gran Fondo event held in September 2017 were presented by members of the event’s organizing committee: Director of Community Development, Pam Doucet; Community Development Officer, Réanne Flynn; Recreation Manager, Réanne Titus and Tourism Manager, Larry Peach. (See attached). 

Council congratulated the committee for their excellent work.

4.2 Financial Report – Ginette Cheff, Director of Finance

Director of Finance, Ginette Cheff provided an update on the Municipality’s financial position. (see attached)

5) Business arising from previous meetings

5.1 Funding Request – CFFA Training Committee

The CAO reminded Council of the financial request from the CFFA Training Committee presented at the Council-in-Committee meeting last October.

Council would like the CFFA Training Committee to assign funds for training within their existing operating funds. Council prefers keeping funds assigned to the CFFA for capital expenses. Training funds could be taken from CFFA’s fund raising events.

Council rejected this request at this time.

6) New business

6.1 Funding Request – Paroisse Sacré-Coeur

The CAO presented a funding request from “Paroisse Sacré-Coeur” asking for funds towards a project to publish a book on the story of the Saulnier family in Clare, written by Mr. Edouard LeBlanc. The “Paroisse Sacré-Coeur” sent a request to the Clare 250th committee, which was declined. “Paroisse Sacré-Coeur” is now requesting funding through the Grants to Organizations municipal program. The amount of $7,000 would be used towards publication and editing of the book.

Council acknowledged that Mr. LeBlanc`s project is a very good initiative, however, in order to be fair for all religions / groups in Clare, Council rejected the request. It is not the practice of Council to support religious groups.

6.2 Capital Investment Plan (2017-2018)

The CAO explained the requirement from the province to submit a 5-year Capital Investment Plan. Council needs to indicate and prioritize proposed projects. The list can be modified through the years, but the municipality needs to indicate commitment to investment in capital projects.

Council stated a few infrastructure projects which could be initiated in the next five years. The CAO will complete the list with estimates and will submit to Council for approval with an official motion soon.

6.3 Letter of Support – Nora Benachour (Université Sainte-Anne)

The CAO read a letter from Mrs. Benachour, Professor at Université Sainte-Anne. Mrs Benachour is currently working on a research project focusing on water quality testing. This testing is done mainly on lakes but can also include well water. As she is applying for a funding program, a letter of support from the Municipality is needed.

Council was in favor with the research project and passed 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 writing a letter to Nora Benachour in support of her research project focusing on water quality testing in lakes throughout Clare.
MOTION ADOPTED

6.4 Funding Request – Cedar Lake Wireless Cooperative

The CAO explained the Cedar Lake Wireless Cooperative is requesting a donation of $5,000 from the Municipality of Clare towards their new internet system. The funds will go towards the purchase of a new tower with the goal of increasing their network capacity and providing better high-speed internet for their small community.

Council mentioned it is currently working with various partners to offer better internet service in Clare, therefore preferred to reject the request at this time.

6.5 Letter to Clare-Digby MLA, Gordon Wilson

Following a discussion with Clare-Digby MLA, Gordon Wilson, the Warden stated that a letter should be sent to the Nova Scotia Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal to request parking lot and road (leading to Cape St-Mary) paving at the Cape Saint Mary Lighthouse. Once the road is paved, the Gran Fondo could extend their course to include the Cape Saint Mary Lighthouse.

Council passed the following motion to recommend:

PROPOSED BY Councillor Yvon LeBlanc and SECONDED BY Councillor Hector Thibault that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend writing a letter to the Nova Scotia Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal indicating that the Cape Saint Mary Lighthouse is now a municipal park and is requesting the road and parking lot be paved for use by the Gran Fondo in 2018 onward.
MOTION ADOPTED

6.6 CSAP School Closures

Deputy Warden Nil Doucet asked Council what will happen with the school buildings once the schools close definitely. He added that people in the community have concerns and are asking questions.

Council confirmed it will soon start investigating different options available.

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 Contract – Cape Saint Mary Lighthouse Park

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

9) Date and time of next Council-in-Committee Meeting

The next Council-in-Committee Meeting will be held on December 6th, 2017 at 7:00 PM.

10) Adjournment

PROPOSED BY Deputy Warden Nil Doucet to adjourn the meeting at 9:46 PM.