Municipality of the District of Clare
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

Wednesday, December 16, 2020 at 7:00 pm
Meeting held at 1185 Highway 1, Little Brook, NS

PRESENT: Council: Deputy Warden Yvon LeBlanc; Councillors, Nil Doucet, Carl Deveau, Brian Comeau, Philippe Gaudet, and Eric Pothier
Staff: CAO Stéphane Cyr, Executive Assistant, Ashley Hanks, and Communications Officer, Amy Paradis
Presenters:

ABSENT: Warden Ronnie LeBlanc and Councillor Danny Hill

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

2) (a) Approval of the Agenda

The CAO asked that the following revisions be made to the agenda:

  • Revision to 8.3 to reflect the correct spelling of the last name as Doucette
  • Addition of 8.5 - The Honourable Lloyd Hines – Minister, Nova Scotia Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal, Duffy Road
  • Addition of 12.2 - Purchase and Sale of Municipal Property

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

 (b) Declarations of conflict of interest
None declared.

3) Presentations
None.

4) Adoption of the Minutes from Previous Council Meetings

4.1 November 18, 2020 – Regular Council Meeting

MOVED BY Councillor Nil Doucet and SECONDED BY Councillor Brian Comeau that the minutes of the November 18, 2020 Regular Council Meeting be accepted as presented.
MOTION CARRIED

4.2 December 2, 2020 – Council in Committee Meeting

MOVED BY Councillor Eric Pothier and SECONDED BY Councillor Philippe Gaudet that the minutes of the December 2, 2020 Council in Committee Meeting be accepted as presented.
MOTION CARRIED

5) Business Arising from Previous Meetings

5.1 Generator – Clare Health Centre
The CAO provided an update on the proposed purchase and installation of a generator for the Clare Health Centre. Currently, pricing has been received for three of the four project components. These include 1) the purchase of the generator, 2) the purchase of the oil tank and 3) the installation of the bus bar, splitting of panels and purchase of transfer switch. An extension has been granted for the fourth component - generator and transfer switch connection - so as to allow companies sufficient time to bid.

For the purchase of the generator, three proposals were received. The recommendation of the CAO and staff is that Council accept the bid from Philip LeBlanc Diesel Repairs Ltd. in the amount of $36,100 plus HST. For the oil tank, it is the recommendation of the CAO and staff that Council accept the bid from Comeau Fuels Ltd. in the amount of $2,400 plus HST. As for the installation of the bus bar, splitting of panels and purchase of transfer switch, it is the recommendation of the CAO and staff that this be awarded to Schneider Electric Services in the amount of $19,820 plus HST, given that they previously installed the current electrical panel at the Clare Health Centre. The CAO sees much value in this investment for the Clare health Centre in terms of both service delivery and emergency management. Council agreed and passed the following motion:

MOVED BY Councillor ­­­­­Eric Pothier and SECONDED BY Councillor Carl Deveau that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare award the tender for the purchase and installation of a generator at the Clare Health Centre, as detailed below, for a total of $58,320 plus HST, and that these funds be taken from the Municipality’s Capital Reserve:

  • Purchase of 100kw diesel generator – Philip LeBlanc Diesel Repairs Ltd. - $36,100 plus HST
  • Purchase of 1,000L Granby 2 in 1 double wall steel tank, installed with fill and vent pipes – Comeau Fuels Ltd. - $2,400 plus HST
  • Installation of bus bar, splitting of panels and purchase of transfer switch – Schneider Electric Services - $19,820 plus HST

MOTION CARRIED

6) Warden’s Activity Report – Warden Ronnie LeBlanc
The Warden provided a written summary of the meetings and events that he attended since the last Council meeting. In light of his absence, this monthly report was presented by the CAO.

November 21 – Attended a virtual meeting with the Mayors and Wardens of Digby, Yarmouth and Shelburne counties and the Honorable Bernadette Jordan, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans to discuss municipal concerns surrounding the lobster fishery crisis.

November 23 – Attended a virtual meeting with the Mayors and Wardens of Digby, Yarmouth, and Shelburne counties for a recap of the meeting with the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, the Honorable Bernadette Jordan.

November 25 – Attended a virtual meeting with the Mayors and Wardens of Digby, Yarmouth, and Shelburne counties and Allister Surette, to discuss municipal concerns surrounding the lobster fishery crisis.

November 27 – Participated in an interview with CJLS to discuss the meeting with Minister Jordan.

November 27 – Participated in an interview with CBC to discuss the meeting with Minister Jordan.

December 4 – Attended the virtual Christmas tree lighting ceremony at the municipal office.

December 7 – Attended a virtual meeting with the Mayors and Wardens of Digby, Yarmouth, and Shelburne counties to discuss next steps in the ongoing effort to address concerns surrounding the crisis in the lobster fishing industry.

7) Official Statements from Members of Council
Councillor Brian Comeau congratulated Richard and Bernadette Blinn on their 50th wedding anniversary that was celebrated on November 20. A certificate has been prepared and will be delivered by Councillor Comeau.

Councillor Carl Deveau thanked the residents of Clare for properly sorting their garbage and recyclables. The municipality has seen an increase in blue bags over the past several months. Also, with snow and high winds very likely in the coming months, Councillor Deveau is asking residents to not place their garbage, recyclables, or green bin out the night before their scheduled collection. These items can present a danger for motorists and should ideally be placed curbside on the morning of the scheduled collection.

8) Correspondence

8.1 The Honourable Lloyd Hines – Minister, Nova Scotia Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal, Henry Hicks Road
The CAO read a letter from the Honourable Lloyd Hines, Minister of Nova Scotia Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal (pdfSee attached).

8.2 The Honourable Lloyd Hines – Minister, Nova Scotia Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal, Peter Dugas Road
The CAO read a letter from the Honourable Lloyd Hines, Minister of Nova Scotia Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal (pdfSee attached).

The CAO will follow up with Area Manager Pamela Mehlman-Shand. 

8.3 Lisa Doucette – General Manager, Radio CIFA
The CAO read a letter from Lisa Doucette, General Manager of Radio CIFA (pdfSee attached).

Councillor Carl Deveau is an avid listener of Radio CIFA and encourages residents to support their local station but does not believe that the Municipality should tell private businesses what radio station they should play in their offices.

8.4 Dr. Harold Cook – Chair, Yarmouth Hospital Foundation
The CAO read a letter from Dr. Harold Cook, Chair for the Yarmouth Hospital Foundation (pdfSee attached).

The Municipality of Clare makes an annual donation of $5,000 to the Yarmouth Hospital Foundation. This annual contribution has traditionally been made regardless of whether or not the Foundation is having a specific fundraising campaign, Therefore, in light of the Municipality’s $5,000 contribution earlier this year, the CAO is recommending the Municipality respectfully decline this request. Council agreed. It should also be noted that the Municipality further shows its supports via its practice of purchasing a table valued at $1,200 at the Foundation’s annual Spring Gala.

8.5 The Honourable Lloyd Hines – Minister, Nova Scotia Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal, Duffy Road
The CAO read a letter from the Honourable Lloyd Hines, Minister of Nova Scotia Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal (pdfSee attached).

9) CAO Report – Chief Administrative Officer - Stéphane Cyr
The CAO presented his report for the month of December 2020. (pdfSee attached)

Residents looking for more information on the Mainland Telecom Rural Internet project are invited to visit the Mainland Telecom website (https://www.mainlandtelecom.com/mainland-clare-project) or to contact Mainland Telecom at 902-365-3132 ext. 1. Residents may also contact the municipal office directly.

10) Committee Reports

10.1 Building Permits Report – Councillor Nil Doucet

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

November 2020

Year    Permits           Construction Value               Year to Date
2019    12                    $ 903,531                                $ 8,716,835
2020    26                    $ 894,660                                $ 9,451,219

11)  New Business

11.1 Motion to Amend Signing Authority – Municipality of Clare
Following the municipal election, the CAO is recommending the current municipal signing authorities be amended to reflect the newly appointed Deputy Warden. Furthermore, as per the recommendation of the Municipality’s auditors, the Director of Finance, with the support of the CAO, is asking to be removed as a municipal signing officer and replaced with the Director of Community Development, Pam Doucet. Doing so will ensure a greater segregation of duties as part of the Municipality’s internal control processes. Council agreed with both recommendations and made the following motion:

MOVED BY Councillor ­­­­­Carl Deveau and SECONDED BY Councillor Phillippe Gaudet that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare amend its signing authorities as follows:

  • Warden Ronnie LeBlanc or Deputy Warden Yvon LeBlanc, and
  • CAO Stephane Cyr or Director of Community Development Pam Doucet

MOTION CARRIED

11.2 Motion to Award Contract – Housing Action Plan
The Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Municipality’s Housing Action Plan closed on November 20, 2020. A total of three proposals were received. Following a detailed review of the proposals, it is the recommendation of both the CAO and the Director of Community Development that Council accept the proposal submitted by SHS Consulting in the amount of $37,270 plus HST. 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 award the contract to develop the Municipality’s Housing Action Plan to SHS Consulting in the amount of $37,270 plus HST.
MOTION CARRIED

11.3 Motion to Approve Funding – Level-3 EV Chargers
As a follow-up to the CAO’s report for November 2020, the EV charger project is no longer being led by NS Power and is now being managed by the WREN. The WREN has hired Bruce McCulloch, MCC Energy Strategies Inc, to provide consulting and advisory services on this file.  Funding is being sought under Natural Resources Canada’s Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program. Under this program, the maximum application amount is $2M. A minimum of 20 chargers must be purchased for the application to be deemed eligible. Although the WREN is the proponent, project applications may contain multiple recipients. Funding of 50% up to a maximum of $100k is available per recipient.  In addition to Natural Resources Canada, additional funding will also be sought from other sources including the Province of NS and Nova Scotia Power.

As part of its application, the WREN is seeking financial assistance for the purchase and installation of 30 EV chargers. The following municipalities / businesses have confirmed their request for a charger(s):

  • Municipality of Yarmouth – 2
  • Municipality of Digby – 4
  • Town of Digby – 2
  • Municipality of Argyle – 3
  • Sobey’s (in Barrington) – 2
  • Just Us Coffee - 1

The goal of this project is to promote the use of electric vehicles while also reducing demand on the grid, thus the availability of solar and batterie-powered options. It may also yield positive impacts on the Municipality’s tourism sector. As such, the CAO is recommending the Municipality apply for three level-3 chargers to be located at the Joseph and Marie Dugas Park, the Clare Veterans Centre, and the Cape St. Mary Lighthouse Park. A level-3 charger is a 50 KW charger which can provide sufficient charge in 30  minutes to allow a vehicle to drive 200 km. A single level-3 charger, tied to the grid and including installation, is $80k. Council agreed and passed the following motion:

MOVED BY Councillor ­­­­­Eric Pothier and SECONDED BY Councillor Carl Deveau that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare contribute a maximum of $160,000 towards the purchase and installation of three Level-3 EV Chargers within the Municipality.
MOTION CARRIED

11.4 Motion to Send a Letter – Nova Scotia Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal, Intersection of Saulnierville Road and Second Division Road
Councillor Carl Deveau expressed concern regarding the intersection of Saulnierville Road and Second Division Road given the frequency of vehicular accidents. A light was previously installed by the Nova Scotia Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal (NSTIR) in the hopes it would remedy the situation. Unfortunately, there continues to be a high volume of accidents. Councillor Deveau is requesting a letter be sent to NSTIR asking for the installation of speed bumps on the Second Division

Road, on both sides of the intersection, as a further means of preventing vehicular accidents. Council agreed and passed the following motion:

MOVED BY Councillor ­­­­­Carl Deveau and SECONDED BY Councillor Phillippe Gaudet that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare send a letter to the Nova Scotia Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal asking it to conduct a safety review of the intersection of Saulnierville Road and Second Division Road, including the possible installation of speed bumps.
MOTION CARRIED

11.5 Motion to Send a Letter – Nova Scotia Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal, Brush Cutting Along Service Roads
Councillor Carl Deveau was approached by residents concerning the need for brush cutting along service roads. The current overgrowth is currently preventing some landowners from accessing their property and is also viewed as a safety concern should fire and other emergency services providers require access. Therefore, Councillor Deveau is requesting a letter be sent to the Nova Scotia Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal asking that the brush along the highway service roads be cut. Council agreed and passed 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 send a letter to the Nova Scotia Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal asking it to trim the overgrown brush along the highway service roads so as to ensure proper access.
MOTION CARRIED

11.6 Motion to Send a Letter of Support – Fédération régional des arts et du patrimoine de la Baie Sainte-Marie
The Fédération régionale des arts et du patrimoine de la Baie Sainte-Marie (FRAP) is requesting a letter of support from the Municipality, to include as part of its application to Heritage Canada, for its project entitled Cuisine et culture interactive et inclusive. The CAO provided a description of the project. Council commented positively on the project, its ties to the Acadian culture, and the interesting linkages to the Municipality’s Welcoming Francophone Community project. The following motion was made:

MOVED BY Councillor ­­­­­Eric Pothier and SECONDED BY Councillor Carl Deveau that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare send a letter of support to the Fédération régionale des arts et du patrimoine de la Baie Sainte-Marie for its project entitled Cuisine et culture interactive et inclusive.
MOTION CARRIED

11.7 Motion to Extend Completion Date – Old School Cannabis Inc.

MOVED BY Councillor ­­­­­Carl Deveau and SECONDED BY Councillor Philippe Gaudet that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare extend the completion date of its agreement of purchase and sale with Old School Cannabis Inc. (formerly Pound Cannabis Inc.) by an additional 12 months, to December 18, 2021. 
MOTION CARRIED

11.8 Motion to Accept a Proposal - Phase II Environmental Site Assessment, Ecoparc

MOVED BY Councillor ­­­­­Philippe Gaudet and SECONDED BY Councillor Eric Pothier that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare accept the proposal for the completion of a Phase II Environmental Site Assessment at the Ecoparc in Meteghan, as submitted by Wood Environment and Infrastructure Solutions (a Division of Wood Canada Ltd.), in the amount of $39,249 plus HST.
MOTION CARRIED

12) In Camera Session

PROPOSED BY Councillor Nil Doucet and SECONDED BY Councillor Carl Deveau that Council proceed to an In-Camera Session.
MOTION CARRIED

Topics discussed:
12.1 Personnel Matters
12.2 Purchase and Sale of Municipal Property

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

13) Date and time of the next Regular Council Meeting
The next Regular Council Meeting will be held on January 20, 2021 at 7:00 pm.

14) Adjournment
MOVED BY Councillor Nil Doucet to adjourn the meeting at 9:05 p.m.

Submitted by:

Ashley Hanks
Executive Assistant