Municipality of the District of Clare
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
Wednesday, December 17 , 2014
PRESENT: Council: Warden Ronnie LeBlanc; Councillors: Russell Comeau, Lester Doucet, Nil Doucet, Danny Hill, and Hector Thibault;
Staff: Deputy Clerk Jeannette Doucet.
ABSENT: Council: Deputy Warden Brian Comeau and Councillor Robert Thibault (attending a meeting with the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal in Halifax regarding the St Benoni bridge).
Staff:Chief Administrative Officer Connie Saulnier.
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1) CALL TO ORDER
Warden Ronnie LeBlanc called the Council Meeting to order at 7:00 pm.
2) (a) APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Requested by Warden Ronnie LeBlanc that "Build Canada Fund - Small Communities Fund RE Meteghan Sewer Extension in Meteghan River" be added to the Agenda under New Business (11.4).
Requested by Warden Ronnie LeBlanc that "Clare/Digby Energy Enterprise" be added to the Agenda under New Business (11.5).
MOVED BY Councillor Hector Thibault and SECONDED BY Councillor Danny Hill that the proposed Agenda be approved with the above noted additions.
MOTION CARRIED
(b) CONFLICT OF INTEREST DECLARATION
Warden Ronnie LeBlanc asked for any declarations of conflict of interest from the floor.
None declared.
3) PRESENTATIONS
3.1 Municipal Boundaries Review Report – Nicole Pothier (7 pm)
Nicole Pothier, hired to conduct the Municipal Boundaries Review Study, presented her report (attached). She explained that as per the Municipal Government Act, the study she conducted looked at the fairness and reasonableness of the number of polling districts and their boundaries, as well as the number of councillors in the municipality. She indicated that Council had proposed (after analysing the electors’ data) two options: 1) Status Quo; and 2) same number of Councillors with changes to the boundaries to meet the target variance of the NS Utility and Review Board. The factors used in determining the number and boundaries of polling district takes into consideration the number of electors, relative parity of voting power, population density, community of interest and geographic size. Ms Pothier also indicated that 3 public meetings had been held, with a total of 14 people in attendance, and 2 written submissions had been received.
In conclusion Ms. Pothier recommended that Council confirm the number of current polling districts as 8; the boundaries of the existing polling districts be slightly altered (as detailed in her Study's appendix) within the target variance of 10%; and confirm the current number of councillors as 8.
Warden Ronnie LeBlanc thanked Ms. Pothier for her presentation.
4) ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES FROM PREVIOUS COUNCIL MEETINGS
4.1 November 19, 2014 Regular Council Meeting
MOVED BY Councillor Danny Hill and SECONDED BY Councillor Lester Doucet that Minutes of November 19, 2014 be accepted as circulated.
MOTION CARRIED
4.2 December 3, 2014 Council-In-Committee Meeting
MOVED BY Councillor Lester Doucet and SECONDED BY Councillor Nil Doucet that Minutes of December 3, 2014 be accepted as circulated.
MOTION CARRIED
5) BUSINESS ARISING FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS
None.
6) WARDEN’S REPORT
Warden Ronnie LeBlanc listed the meetings and events he attended since the last Council meeting:
- Richard Ramsay, Consultant, conducting municipal organizational review; and
- Little Brook Fire Department dinner and presentation to Claude Comeau for 15 years of service with the Fire Department as a volunteer firefighter.
7) OFFICIAL STATEMENTS FROM THE MEMBERS OF COUNCIL
Councillor Hector Thibault wished congratulations to Mrs Edith Thibodeau on her upcoming 100 birthday, on Sunday December 21 (2014). Councillor Thibault will be presenting Mrs. Thibodeau a certificate from the Municipality.
Councillor Lester Doucet indicated that David and Jeanne LeBlanc of DJ's Corner Store were involved in a large fundraising effort to assist a family involved in a fire that destroyed the house they were living in Lake Doucette. Councillor Doucet indicated the fundraising has been very successful and he suggested that a letter of thanks be sent to David and Jeanne LeBlanc.
8) CORRESPONDENCE
8.1 Letter from Minister of Natural Resources RE. Stairs at Smugglers Cove
A letter was received from Honourable Zack Churchill, Minister of Natural Resources, regarding the stairs at Smugglers Cove (letter dated November 19, 2014 - attached). The letter acknowledged receipt of letter sent by Municipality regarding status of the stairs at Smugglers Cove and indicated that stairs will be repaired and ready for use when park re-opens next Spring.
8.2 Municipality of Shelburne's letter RE: Aquaculture Industry
Correspondence was received from the Municipality of Shelburne regarding a letter of support for the Aquaculture Industry (Dec. 11, 2014). The Municipality of Shelburne requested if the Municipality of Clare would send a similar letter (see attached).
8.3 CORD's request for financial support
A letter was received from Clare Organization Representing Persons with Disabilities (CORD) requesting a financial contribution from the Municipality to assist with the transition costs associated with the take-over of the Café operations at Rendez-vous de la Baie (see attached). Council discussed and proceeded to the following motion:.
MOVED BY Councillor Nil Doucet and SECONDED BY Councillor Danny Hill that the Municipality of Clare contribute the amount of $5,000.00 (five thousand dollars) to Clare Organization Representing Persons with Disabilities (CORD) to assist with the transition costs associated with the take-over of the Café operations at Rendez-vous de la Baie .
MOTION CARRIED
9) C.A.O. Report - Chief Administrative Officer Connie Saulnier
In Chief Administrative Officer Connie Saulnier's absence, no report was presented.
10) COMMITTEE REPORTS
10.1 Building Permits Report (2-Year Comparison) – Councillor Danny Hill
Councillor Danny Hill presented the building permits reports for the previous month, as submitted by the Building Department.
Year Permits Value of Construction
2013 4 $248,200.00
2014 4 $130,040.00
10.2 Clare Economic Development Committee (CEDC) – Warden LeBlanc
None to provide.
10.3 Communication Committee – Warden Ronnie LeBlanc
None to provide.
10.4 Planning Advisory Committee (PAC) – Councillor Danny Hill
None to provide.
10.5 Recreation Committee – Councillor Nil Doucet
Councillor Nil Doucet indicated that the Municipality of Clare had received $53,00.00 in grants and $25,000.00 for MPAL Services from the Province for various programs and projects in the Municipality.
10.6 Clare Municipal Tourism Committee – Councillor Robert Thibault
Councillor Lester Doucet indicated that the Tourism Committee met on December 16 (2014) and discussed the street banner program. He reported that the committee is planning to re-offer the banner program at a cost of $60.00 per banner for 2015.
10.7 Villa acadienne Board of Directors – Deputy Warden Brian Comeau
None to provide.
10.8 Waste Check – Councillor Robert Thibault
None to provide.
11) NEW BUSINESS
11.1 Application to the NSUARB Boundary Review: Resolution – MOTION
The following Resolution was read:
Whereas Councillors of the Municipality of the District of Clare are elected per District;
And
The Municipal Council conducted three (3) public consultation meetings, held in Saint Bernard (on November 24, 2014), in Saulnierville (on November 26, 2014) and in Salmon River (on November 27, 2104), and advertized in both official languages the dates and locations of the Public Meetings, seeking public input from its citizens; and the attendance of the Public Consultations were as follows: one (1) member of the public in Saint Bernard; eight (8) members of the public in Saulnierville; and five (5) members of the public in Salmon River, with four (4) of them also in attendance at the Saulnierville consultation the previous evening;
And
The Municipal Council placed advertisements in both official languages that Council was accepting written submissions seeking public input from its citizens; and two (2) written submissions were submitted.
And
Whereas a reduction in the number of Councillors would not necessarily translate into a reduction of costs, due to demanding workloads, and time commitments of Councillors serving on regional and provincial boards or committees; and all Council members have full-time or part-time jobs, thus reducing the number of Councillors would increase the workload and time commitment of the remaining Councillors.
And
Whereas a reduction in the number of Councillors would reduce the possibility of having solid representation of all sectors of our population thus reducing the opportunity for potential candidates in future elections based on language, age, gender, race, business and service representation.
I believe the existing number of districts within boundaries for the Municipality of the District of Clare, being eight (8), should remain eight (8) with slight changes to the polling district boundaries in order to be within the 10% variance as mandated by the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board.
And
I believe the current number of eight (8) Councillors should remain for the Municipality of the District of Clare.
Be it therefore resolved that the Council of the Municipality of the District of Clare make application to the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board, as per Section 369 of the Municipal Government Act, to confirm the number of Councillors at eight (8) and to accept the slight changes to the polling district boundaries in order to be within the 10% variance.
MOVED BY Councillor Danny Hill and SECONDED BY Councillor Hector Thibault that Council for the Municipality of Clare adopt the Resolution as read.
MOTION CARRIED
11.2 First Reading of By-Law Amendment 12-2014, By-Law Respecting Dogs – MOTION
Councillor Danny Hill indicated that the By-Law Committee and the Municipal Solicitor reviewed the existing Dog By-Law (No. 12) and made changes and additions to the By-Law. The Committee is proposing that Council proceed with the First Reading of By-Law Amendment No. 12-2014.
MOVED BY Councillor Danny Hill and SECONDED BY Councillor Russell Comeau that the Municipality of the District of Clare read By-Law Amendment No. 12-2014, a By-Law Respecting Dogs, and that the By-Law Amendment be read for the first time by Title only.
MOTION CARRIED
The Title of the By-Law was read as such: By-Law Number 12, By-Law Respecting Dogs, Amendment Number 12-2014.
11.3 First Reading of Third Party Credit Card Service By-Law #35 – MOTION
Deputy Clerk Jeannette Doucet indicated that the Municipality is currently using Paymentus as a third party credit card service, which enables taxpayers to use their credit card to make payments. The Deputy Clerk clarified that the service fee is applied to the customer and not the Municipality. She indicated that Mastercard is currently the only company available through this service because Visa does not permit this service without a By-Law in place regarding third party credit card services. The Municipality currently does not have such a By-Law. To be able to offer payment of taxes using Visa credit cards, the Municipality will require to adopt such a by-law.
Council proceeded with the First Reading of By-Law #35, Third Party Credit Card Service By-Law.
MOVED BY Councillor Lester Doucet and SECONDED BY Councillor Russell Comeau that the Municipality of the District of Clare read By-Law No.35, a By-Law Respecting Third Party Credit Card Service, and that the By-Law be read for the first time in its entirety.
MOTION CARRIED
By-Law No. 35 was read in its entirety.
11.4 Build Canada Fund: Meteghan Sewer Extension – Warden Ronnie LeBlanc
Council was informed that the New Build Canada Fund - Small Communities Fund is offering a program to municipalities which could fund a portion of the Municipality's Sewer System Extension into Meteghan River. Council was informed that the Municipality can submit a funding application for two components of the Project (the extension of the Sewer System and the Geotube Technology into Sludge Dewatering). The total cost would be $1,300,204.00 and with this Federal Funding Program, the cost would be shared 33.3% each by the Municipality of Clare, the Province, and the Federal Government.
Council proceeded with the following Motion:
MOVED BY Councillor Russell Comeau and SECONDED BY Councillor Danny Hill that the Municipality of the District of Clare proceed with submitting the funding application for the Project which includes both the Extension of the Meteghan Sewer System and Geotube Technology into Sludge Dewatering, with the total Project cost in the amount of $ 1,300,204.00 for which, under the New Build Canada Fund - Small Communities Fund Program, the cost will be shared 33.3% each by the Municipality, the Province, and the Federal Government.
MOTION CARRIED
11.5 Digby-Clare Energy Enterprise – Warden Ronnie LeBlanc
The recently established Digby-Clare Energy Enterprise (which includes the Municipality of Clare, the Municipality of Digby and the Town of Digby) requires municipal representatives on the Board. Councillors Lester Doucet and Hector Thibault expressed interest in serving on the Board.
MOVED BY Councillor Russell Comeau and SECONDED BY Councillor Danny Hill that Council appoint Councillors Lester Doucet and Hector Thibault as the representatives for the Municipality of Clare on the Board of the Digby-Clare Energy Enterprise.
MOTION CARRIED
12) CLOSED SESSION
There were no topics on the Agenda to discuss under closed session.
13) DATE AND TIME OF NEXT COUNCIL MEETING
The next Council meeting was scheduled for Wednesday, January 21, 2015 at 7 pm.
14) ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at7:50 pm following a motion by Councillor Nil Doucet.
Submitted by
Jeannette Doucet, Deputy Clerk
JD/cd