Municipality of the District of Clare
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
Wednesday, April 20, 2022, at 7:00 pm.
Meeting held at 1185 Highway 1, Little Brook, NS

PRESENT:
Council: Warden Yvon LeBlanc; Deputy Warden Eric Pothier; Councillors, Nil Doucet, Philippe Gaudet, Brian Comeau, Carl Deveau, and Nadine Comeau
Staff: CAO Stéphane Cyr, Director of Finance, Ginette Cheff, Executive Assistant, Ashley Hanks, and Communications Officer, Amy Paradis
Presenters: Réanne Titus and Natalie Robichaud for the Comité consultatif jeunesse, and Nick MacArthur, Operations Manager with Mainland Telecom Inc.
ABSENT: Councillor Danny Hill

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

2) Approval of the Agenda
The CAO asked that the following revisions be made to the agenda:

  • Add item 4.2 – Project Update – Nick MacArthur, Operations Manager - Mainland Telecom Inc.
  • Remove item 14.1 - Contract Negotiations

MOVED BY Councillor Carl Deveau and SECONDED BY Councillor Philippe Gaudet that the proposed agenda be approved with the above noted revisions.
MOTION CARRIED           

3) Declaration of conflict of interest
None.

4) Presentations
4.1 Comité consultatif jeunesse – Réanne Titus and Natalie Robichaud
Réanne Titus and Natalie Robichaud presented their idea for a Comité consultatif jeunesse (pdfsee attached). The proposed committee would be comprised of high school aged youth and would focus on community advocacy and municipal governance. As part of its ongoing activities, the committee would meet regularly with municipal councillors (and possibly staff) to discuss current events and issues of municipal interest. The formal launch of this committee has been tentatively scheduled for September 2022, to coincide with the start of the school year. 

Council was receptive to the proposed committee and thanked Ms. Titus and Ms. Robichaud for their presentation.

4.2 Project Update – Nick MacArthur, Operations Manager - Mainland Telecom Inc.
Mr. MacArthur, Operations Manager with Mainland Telecom Inc., thanked Council for the opportunity to speak with them this evening. The project is nearing completion, with most residents along the high-speed network being able to connect by the end of June. The original 280 km network has grown and now covers more than 310 km throughout the Municipality of Clare. Feedback to date has been very positive.

Mr. MacArthur once again thanked Council and the residents of Clare for their continued support.

The Warden thanked Mr. MacArthur for his presentation and expressed Council’s gratitude to Mainland Telecom Inc. for their efforts in delivering quality, high-speed Internet throughout the community.

5) Adoption of the Minutes from Previous Council Meetings
5.1 March 16, 2022 – Regular Council Meeting

MOVED BY Councillor Carl Deveau and SECONDED BY Councillor Philippe Gaudet that the minutes of the March 16, 2022, Regular Council Meeting be accepted as presented.
MOTION CARRIED

5.2 April 6, 2022 – Council in Committee Meeting

MOVED BY Deputy Warden Eric Pothier and SECONDED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau that the minutes of the April 6, 2022, Council-in-Committee Meeting be accepted as presented.
MOTION CARRIED

5.3 April 13, 2022 – Special Session of Council 

MOVED BY Councillor Carl Deveau and SECONDED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau that the minutes of the April 13, 2022, Special Session of Council be accepted as presented.
MOTION CARRIED

6) Business Arising from Previous Meetings
None.

7) Warden’s Activity Report – Warden Ronnie LeBlanc
March 22 – Attended a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Villa Acadienne to discuss the hiring process for a new Executive Director.
March 23 – Attended a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Villa Acadienne with SHS Consultants to discuss their ideas for the redevelopment of the current Villa Acadienne site.
March 25 – Attended a training session, facilitated by a parliamentarian, on the processes and formal practices for conducting a meeting.
March 28 – Attended a meeting of the Board of Governors of Université Sainte-Anne where we received an update on the strike and the ongoing negotiations.
March 30 – Attended a session on Asset Management facilitated by AIM, as well as the presentation of the municipal Asset Management Plan.
April 12 – Attended a meeting of the Advisory Committee and Jost+ Architects Ltd., as part of the Public Spaces project, to review the conceptual plans for Joseph and Marie Dugas Park and Pointe à Major.
April 12 – Attended the final presentations of two US-A student teams, as part of a competition organized by the CDÉNÉ and the Clare Chamber of Commerce. The theme of the presentations was buying local.
April 12 – Attended a meeting of the Villa Acadienne Governance Committee to review the organization’s by-laws.
April 13 – Attended a meeting of Mayors and Wardens to discuss correspondence with MP Mike Kelloway, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and Canadian Coast Guard, and to arrange for a face-to-face meeting with Mr. Kelloway (and key members of his department) prior to the end of the lobster fishery in districts 33 and 34.
April 13 – Attended a meeting with DSRA Architects Inc, Council, and the CAO to review the conceptual plans for the expansion of the Clare Health Centre.
April 19 – Attended a meeting of the Villa Acadienne Governance Committee to review and update the organization’s by-laws.

8) Official Statements from Members of Council
Councillor Nadine Comeau congratulated Scott and Nadine Robicheau on their 25th wedding anniversary which they celebrated on April 5, 2022. Council will send a certificate of congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Robicheau.

9) Correspondence
9.1 The Honorable John Lohr, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing
The CAO read a letter from the Honorable John Lohr, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing (pdfsee attached).

9.2 Hayley Crichton, Executive Director, Public Safety and Security Division, Nova Scotia Department of Justice
The CAO read a letter from Hayley Crichton, Executive Director of the Public Safety and Security Division of the Nova Scotia Department of Justice (pdfsee attached).

9.3 Joseph Feeney, Chair, PVSC Board of Directors
The CAO read a letter from Joseph Feeney, Chair of the PVSC Board of Directors (pdfsee attached).

10) Presentation of the 2022–2023 Operational Budget and Corresponding Motions
10.1 Motion to Adopt Municipal Tax Rates
The CAO and Director of Finance presented a balanced budget of $11,002,412 for the 2022-2023 fiscal year (pdfsee attached) with no increase to the current residential and commercial property tax rates of $1.04 and $2.07 per $100 of assessment, respectively. Other highlights include:

  • $1,344,658 for RCMP costs, including prosecution services and DNA testing.
  • $120,000 for Corrections
  • $1,022,370 for Fire Departments including both operational and capital funding, as well as debt servicing.
  • $1,841,230 for Education
  • $168,439 and $242,846 for Tourism and Recreation respectively
  • A continued commitment to the provision of municipal services in both official languages
  • A renewal of the low-income property tax exemption
  • Dedicated funding for the CMA 2024, Communauté francophone accueillante, the Festival acadien de Clare, the Association sentier de Clare Rail to Trail Association, and the Transport de Clare.

Both the CAO and the Director of Finance have qualified this budget as fiscally conservative and further complicated by the uncertainty surrounding COVID-19, supply chain issues, and market volatility. Council had previously reviewed the budget in detail at the Special Meeting of Council on April 13, 2022, and was pleased with both its content and staff’s efforts to complete this exercise in time for the April 2022 meeting of Council.

MOVED BY Councillor Carl Deveau and SECONDED BY Councillor Philippe Gaudet that the municipal tax rates for the Municipality of the District of Clare for 2022-2023 be set as follows:

  • $1.04 per $100.00 of assessment as the Residential and Resource Tax Rate (the same rate since 2014), and
  • $2.07 per $100.00 of assessment as the Commercial Tax Rate (the same rate since 2010)
  • $0.25 per acre (below 50,000 acres) and $0.40 per acre (above 50,000 acres) as the Forest Acreage Rates.

MOTION CARRIED

10.2 Motion to Adopt Sewer Service Charges

MOVED BY Deputy Warden Eric Pothier and SECONDED BY Councillor Philippe Gaudet that the municipal sewer service charges for 2022-2023 be set at $220.00 per unit for the following:

  • Meteghan
  • Meteghan Centre
  • Meteghan River
  • Church Point
  • Belliveau Cove

MOTION CARRIED

10.3 Motion to Adopt Streetlight Area Rates

MOVED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau and SECONDED BY Councillor Nil Doucet that the 2022-2023 rates for streetlights be set as follows:

  • Highway 1 and Patrice Road – Church Point $ 61.55
  • Highway 1 – Little Brook and Comeauville $ 37.80
  • Highway 1 – Saulnierville $ 55.05
  • Highway 1 – Meteghan River $ 58.13
  • Placide Comeau Road – Meteghan River $ 73.40
  • Highway 1 and Peter Dugas Road – Meteghan $ 37.71
  • Highway 1 – Saint-Bernard and Belliveau Cove $ 37.35

MOTION CARRIED

10.4 Motion to Adopt Fire Department Rates

MOVED BY Councillor Philippe Gaudet and SECONDED BY Deputy Warden Eric Pothier that the 2022-2023 Fire Department rates be set as follows:

  • Fire Protection $0.05 per $100.00 of assessment
  • Fire Truck Purchase $0.06 per $100.00 of assessment

MOTION CARRIED

10.5 Motion to Adopt Due Date and Interest Commencement Date

MOVED BY Councillor Carl Deveau and SECONDED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau that the due date for payment of the 2022-2023 municipal taxes be June 30, 2022, and the interest rate be 1½% per month, beginning on July 31, 2022.
MOTION CARRIED

10.6 Motion to Adopt 2021–2022 Municipal Operational Budget

MOVED BY Councillor Philippe Gaudet and SECONDED BY Councillor Carl Deveau that the 2022-2023 operational budget for the Municipality of the District of Clare be approved as presented on Wednesday, April 20, 2022.
MOTION CARRIED

11) CAO Report – Chief Administrative Officer - Stéphane Cyr
The CAO presented his report for the month of April 2022 (pdfsee attached).

12) Committee Reports
12.2 Building Permits Report – Councillor Nil Doucet

Councillor Nil Doucet read the building permits report for the month of March.

March 2021

Year

Permits

Construction Value

Year to Date

2021

18

$ 336,993

$ 32,011,633

2022

14

$ 1,401,640

$ 2,467,580

13)  New Business
13.1 Motion to Write a Letter of Support – Transport de Clare
The Transport de Clare has requested a letter from the Municipality in support of their application to Infrastructure Canada’s Rural Transit Solutions Fund. Via this application, the Transport de Clare is planning to replace some of its current fleet. Council acknowledged the efforts of the Transport de Clare and its valuable contribution to the community and made the following motion:

MOVED BY Councillor Carl Deveau and SECONDED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare write a letter to the Transport de Clare in support of its application to Infrastructure Canada’s Rural Transit Solutions Fund.
MOTION CARRIED

13.2 Motion to Award Tender – 30' x 50' Storage Building and Fire Detection System, Transfer Station
A tender was issued for the construction of a storage shed and installation of a fire detection system at the Transfer Station. A total of two bids were received. Following a review of the bids, the CAO is recommending awarding the tender for the 30' x 50' storage building to Garian Construction Ltd. in the amount of $259,995 plus HST and for the fire detection system to Chubb Fire & Security Canada in the amount of $34,867 plus HST. Council agreed and made the following motion:

MOVED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau and SECONDED BY Deputy Warden Eric Pothier that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare award the tender for the construction of a 30' x 50' storage building and the installation of a fire detection system at the Transfer Station, as detailed below, for a total of $294,862 plus HST, and that these funds be taken from the Municipality’s Capital Reserve:

  • 30' x 50' storage building – Garian Construction Ltd. – $259,995 plus HST
  • Fire detection system – Chubb Fire & Security Canada – $34,867 plus HST

MOTION CARRIED

13.3 Motion to Write a Letter – Department of Fisheries, Oceans, and the Canadian Coast Guard
A new foghorn was installed at the Cape Saint Mary Lighthouse Park. It is louder and much more sensitive than the previous foghorn and sounds often which in turn is disruptive for area residents. The Warden is requesting Council send a letter to the Department of Fisheries, Oceans, and the Canadian Coast Guard outlining these concerns. Council agreed and made the following motion:

MOVED BY Deputy Warden Eric Pothier and SECONDED BY Councillor Carl Deveau that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare write a letter to the Department of Fisheries, Oceans, and the Canadian Coast Guard outlining concerns relating to the new foghorn at the Cape Saint Mary Lighthouse Park.
MOTION CARRIED

13.4 Motion to Make a Donation – Comité du centennaire, St. Alphonse Church
The St. Alphonse Church will be celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. The Comité du centennaire for the St. Alphonse Church have planned events and/or celebrations throughout the year in honor of this occasion and has contacted the Municipality requesting a small donation to help offset related costs. Council recognized the hard work and dedication of the volunteers involved in this effort and made the following motion:

MOVED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau and SECONDED BY Deputy Warden Eric Pothier that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare make a donation in the amount of $500 to the Comité du centennaire in support of the 100th anniversary celebrations planned for the St. Alphonse Church.
MOTION CARRIED

13.5 Motion to Award Tender – Mowing of the Grounds at the Cape Saint Mary Lighthouse Park
The Municipality issued a tender for the mowing of the grounds at the Cape Saint Mary Lighthouse Park. This tender is issued every three years. A total of three bids were received. Following a review of the bids, it is the recommendation of the CAO that Council award the three-year contract to Robert J. Deveau in the amount of $3,300 per annum. Council made the following motion:

MOVED BY Councillor Philippe Gaudet and SECONDED BY Councillor Nil Doucet that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare award the three-year contract for the mowing of the grounds at the Cape Saint Mary Lighthouse Park to Robert J. Deveau in the amount of $3,300 per annum.
MOTION CARRIED

13.6 Motion to Award Tender – Cleaning of the Public Washrooms at the Cape Saint Mary Lighthouse Park
The Municipality issued an RFP for the cleaning of the public washrooms at the Cape Saint Mary Lighthouse Park. A single bid was received. Following a review of the bid, it is the recommendation of the CAO that Council award the contract to Gail Maillet (the Municipality’s previous service provider) in the amount of $2,500 per annum. Council agreed and made the following motion:

MOVED BY Councillor Carl Deveau and SECONDED BY Councillor Nil Doucet that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare award the one-year contract for the cleaning of the public washrooms at the Cape Saint Mary Lighthouse Park to Gail Maillet in the amount of $2,500.
MOTION CARRIED

13.7 Motion to Purchase Land – Little Brook Road
The Municipality recently purchased a 5.21-acre parcel of land on the Little Brook Road as part of its Housing Action Plan. An opportunity has now presented itself to purchase and additional 1-acre parcel which is directly adjacent to the previous parcel. The asking price is $10,000. The CAO believes this to be a fair price and that the parcel in question has strategic value given its location. Council agreed and made the following motion:

MOVED BY Councillor Philippe Gaudet and SECONDED BY Councillor Carl Deveau that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare purchase the 1-acre parcel of land located on Little Brook Road (PID# 30031041) for $10,000 and that these funds be taken from the Municipality’s Capital Reserve.
MOTION CARRIED

13.8 Motion to Name a Road – Talala Drive
The Municipality was approached to name a private road. The individual in question owns all the land on which the road is located. The proposed name is compliant with the Municipality’s Road Naming Policy. Council made the following motion:

MOVED BY Councillor Carl Deveau and SECONDED BY Councillor Philippe Gaudet that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare approve the request to name the road shared by the PIDs (Property Identification Number) listed below, as follows:

In English: Talala Drive

In French: promenade Talala

30353423

30353411

30353403

30353395

30353387

30353379

30353361

30353353

30353346

30353338

30353320

30353312

MOTION CARRIED

14) In Camera Session
None.

15) Date and time of the next Regular Council Meeting
The next Regular Council Meeting will be held on May 18, 2022, at 7:00 pm.

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

Submitted by:
Ashley Hanks
Executive Assistant