Municipality of the District of Clare
COUNCIL-IN-COMMITTEE MEETING
Wednesday, October 5th, 2016 at 7:00 pm
PRESENT: Council: Warden Ronnie LeBlanc, Deputy Warden Brian Comeau, Councillors, Lester Doucet, Hector Thibault, Danny Hill, Russell Comeau, Nil Doucet and Robert Thibault.
Staff: CAO, Stéphane Cyr; Administrative Assistant to the CAO, Alain Poirier; Director of Finance, Connie Saulnier and Director of Community Development, Pam Doucet
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 changes be made to the Agenda.
- 5.1 Rural Internet – Municipal Working Group be transferred to 8.1 under “Closed Session”
- 5.2 Richfield Fire Department be transferred to 8.2 under “Closed Session”
- 6.1 CSAP School Review be added under “New Business”
- 6.2 Wastecheck be added under “New Business”
- 8.3 Cultural Hub Project be added under “New Business”
MOVED BY Councillor Danny Hill and SECONDED BY Councillor Russell Comeau that the proposed agenda be approved with the above noted changes.
MOTION CARRIED
(b) Declaration of Conflict of Interest
Warden Ronnie LeBlanc asked for any declarations of conflict of interest.
None declared
3) Presentation
None
4) Staff Reports
4.1 Financial Update – Director of Finance, Connie Saulnier
The Director of Finance provided an update on the Municipality’s financial position. (See attached)
4.2 Community Development Update – Director of Community Development, Pam Doucet
The Director of Community Development provided an update on her Department’s activities. (See attached)
5) Business Arising from Previous Meetings
5.1 EMO Evaluation
The CAO and the Municipality’s EMO Coordinator, Mark Doucet, recently met with Andrew Mitton, Emergency Management Planning Officer with EMO NS as part of the mandated review of EMO services currently being conducted by EMO NS. According to the CAO, the discussion went well and most of the sought after items were included in the Municipality’s current plan. Any shortcomings were identified as part of this discussion and a plan to address these was tentatively put forward. The Municipality will be evaluated as excellent, good, fair or poor. The results of the evaluation are expected in December 2016 and will serve as an important tool in the Municipality’s efforts to revise and strengthen its current emergency plan.
It should also be noted that in light of the upcoming municipal election, EMO NS will be rolling out training to new Councils in the coming months.
5.2 Clare Veteran’s Centre
The CAO informed Council that representatives of Legion Branch 52 confirmed that they were not interested in opening their facility to the public in order to allow access to their pool tables. Council decided to respect their decision and not pursue this matter any further.
The Warden has been approached regarding this subject and the possibility of using other rooms at the Clare Veteran’s Centre and suggested to these groups that they submit a request or make a presentation to Council
6) New Business
6.1 CSAP School Review
The CSAP is currently preparing to undertake a review of its schools in Clare. As part of this process, the Board is required to establish an evaluation committee and has requested the Municipality appoint a representative to this committee, in an ex-officio capacity. Council agreed it should have representation on this committee and will appoint a representative following the 2016 Municipal Election.
PROPOSED BY Councillor Robert Thibault and SECONDED BY Councillor Lester Doucet that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend accepting the invitation to appoint a representative to the CSAP`s evaluation committee, as part of the school review process, and that this representative be named following the 2016 Municipal Election.
6.2 Wastecheck
Councillor Russell Comeau presented a green bag designed for large green compost bins as a means of reducing smell and improving cleanliness and inquired as to why these were not accepted by Wastecheck. The CAO cited environmental reasons and stated that although promoted as biodegradable, they are not. Wastecheck has contacted local merchants selling these bags but to no avail. Council mentioned that they would forward this matter to Wastecheck for further discussion.
7) Question and Comments from the public
None.
8) Closed Session
PROPOSED BY Councillor Nil Doucet and SECONDED BY Councillor Lester Doucet that the Council proceed to an In Camera Session.
MOTION CARRIED
Topics discussed:
- 8.1 Rural Internet – Municipal Working Group
- 8.2 Richfield Fire Department
- 8.3 Cultural Hub Project
PROPOSED BY Councillor Nil Doucet and SECONDED BY Councillor Lester Doucet that Council proceed to the Regular Council Meeting.
MOTION CARRIED
PROPOSED BY Councillor Hector Thibault and SECONDED BY Councillor Danny Hill to recommend that Council increase the amount of money budgeted to replace the roof at the CIFA building from $35,000 up to a maximum of $50,000.
MOTION CARRIED
9) Date and time of next Council-in-Committee Meeting
The next Council-in-Committee Meeting will be held on, November 2nd, 2016 at 7:00 PM.
10) Adjournment
PROPOSED BY Councillor Nil Doucet to adjourn the meeting at 8:49PM.