Municipality of the District of Clare
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
Wednesday, December 20, 2023, 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, Carl Deveau, Brian Comeau, and Nadine Comeau
Staff: CAO Stéphane Cyr, Communications Officer, Anique Dugas
Presenters: Liette Comeau, Juniper House.
ABSENT: Councillor Danny Hill

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

2)  Adoption of the Agenda

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

• 9 - Discussion on abandoned fishing vessels

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

3) Declaration of conflict of interest
None declared.

4) Presentations
4.1 Juniper House - Liette Comeau, Bilingual Outreach Worker

Liette Comeau introduced herself to Council and spoke about Juniper House and the services they provide to women and families in the community. (See attached)

5) Adoption of the Minutes from Previous Council Meetings
5.1 November 15, 2023 – Regular Council Meeting

MOVED BY Councillor Carl Deveau and SECONDED BY Councillor Philippe Gaudet that the minutes of the November 15, 2023, Regular Council Meeting be accepted as presented.
MOTION CARRIED

5.2 December 6, 2023 – Council in Committee Meeting

MOVED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau and SECONDED BY Councillor Nil Doucet that the minutes of the December 6, 2023, Council in Committee Meeting be accepted as presented.
MOTION CARRIED

6) Business Arising from Previous Meetings
None.

7) Warden’s Activity Report – Warden Yvon LeBlanc

November 20 – Attended a training session for the CDÉNÉ Board of Directors focusing on governance.

November 26 – Attended the Dumping Day Party.

November 28 – Attended a meeting of the CDÉNÉ Audit Committee.

November 28 – Attended the regular meeting of the Villa Acadienne.

December 3 – Attended the tree lighting at the Municipal Office.

December 5 – Attended the Walk of Lights organized by Inclusion Clare.

December 5 – Attended a joint meeting of the WREN and the Liaison and Oversight Committee. Here, the CEO gave us an overview of WREN's current and future projects.

December 8 – Attended the regular meeting of the CDÉNÉ Board of Directors.

December 9 – Attended the Havelock Fire Department’s Christmas banquet.

December 12 – Attended a training session for the CDÉNÉ Board of Directors focusing on governance.

December 16 – Attended the Skate with Santa event at the Université Sainte-Anne arena with Councillor Nadine Comeau.

December 18 – Attended a meeting with Mike Kelloway, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, and the Mayors/Wardens of the municipal units in southwestern Nova Scotia to discuss the concerns raised in our letter to the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, the Honourable Diane Lebouthillier.

8) Official Statements from Members of Council
None.

9) Correspondence
9.1 Pamela Mehlman-Shand – Area Manager, Nova Scotia Department of Public Works
The CAO read a letter from Pamela Mehlman-Shand, Area Manager for the Nova Scotia Department of Public Works. (See attached)

9.2 The Honourable Pascale St-Onge – Minister, Canadian Heritage
The CAO read a letter from the Honourable Pascale St-Onge, Minister for Canadian Heritage. (See attached)

9.3 Rolland Jaume – President, La boule acadienne
The CAO read a letter from Rolland Jaume, President of La boule acadienne. (See attached)

9.4 Penny Smith – Warden, Municipality of the District of Shelburne
The CAO read a letter from Penny Smith, Warden for the Municipality of the District of Shelburne. (See attached)

10) CAO Report – Chief Administrative Officer – Stéphane Cyr
The CAO presented his report for the month of November. (See attached)

11) Committee Reports
11.1 Building Permits Report – Councillor Nil Doucet
Councillor Nil Doucet read the building permits report for the month of November.

November 2023

Year	Permits	Construction Value	Year to Date
2022	11	$ 123,480	$ 14,059,800
2023	14	$ 2,316,773	$ 18,973,823

11.2 Waste Check – Councillor Carl Deveau
Within the last month the Waste Check Policy Committee toured Valley Recycling in Kentville which is where the Municipality’s blue bags are sent to be sorted and recycled. The group was also able to see the impact of when blue bags are not properly sorted, and the challenges this creates for those who work in the sorting facility. The Manager on-site stated that the blue bags from the Municipality of Clare were among the best sorted and Councillor Deveau encourages residents to continue to be diligent in their recycling practices.

Waste Check placed an ad in the Clare Shopper in November, which served as a reminder to the public on how to sort their recyclables. No changes to the sorting process have been made.

Waste Check would like to remind residents that as of April 1, 2024, black bags will no longer be accepted, and residents will need to switch to clear bags for residential garbage. 

Councillor Deveau added one final reminder that with the winter season, residents should try to bring their green bins back to their homes as quickly as possible after pickup to avoid damage from snowplows.

11.3 Police Advisory Board – Councillor Brian Comeau
The Police Advisory Board met on December 5, 2023, with regards to incidents of vandalism and theft in the area. Arrests linked to this case have been made but hopefully there will be more to come. Councillor Comeau indicated that the case is evolving and the RCMP is pursuing several leads while exercising caution not to divulge too much information.

The Police Advisory Board is looking into having an RCMP Liaison Officer at École secondaire de Clare (ESDC). RCMP Liaison Officers assist in the coordination and implementation of programs regarding crime prevention, intervention, victim services, police-community relations and multiculturalism. These positions are paid for by the provincial government and the role is often tailored to the needs of the school. At present, Digby, Yarmouth, and Argyle have such a position paid

for by the Province. Clare (ESDC) does not. Rather, Clare has a member paid for by the Province dedicated to the Street Crimes Unit.While there is no RCMP Liaison Officer at ESDC at the moment, RCMP Officers from the Meteghan detachment remain open to going to ESDC as requested.

Councillor Comeau stated that there were no updates at this time with regards to the home invasion in Concession. The case is ongoing and the RCMP remains in contact with family members.

RCMP Statistics Report January 1, 2022 – November 30, 2023:
Assaults: increased to 39 from 27.
Uttering threats: increased to 45 from 30.
Break and enter: increased to 12 from 4.
Theft under $5,000: increased to 44 from 26.

RCMP estimate that roughly 75% of these cases are repeat offenders.

12)  New Business
12.1 Motion to Appoint Returning Officer – 2024 Municipal and School Board Elections
In preparation for the upcoming 2024 Municipal and School Board Elections, the following three motions were made.

MOVED BY Councillor Philippe Gaudet and SECONDED BY Councillor Brian Comeau that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare appoint Pam Doucet as the Returning Officer for the 2024 Municipal and School Board Elections.
MOTION CARRIED

12.2 Motion to Select Type of Election – 2024 Municipal and School Board Elections

MOVED BY Councillor Carl Deveau and SECONDED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare have a hybrid election with electronic voting during the advanced polls, from October 12, 2024, up to and including October 19, 2024, and paper ballots on election day, October 19, 2024.
MOTION CARRIED

12.3 Motion to Delegate Authority to the CAO – Tariff of Fees and Election Expenses

MOVED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau and SECONDED BY Councillor Brian Comeau that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare delegate approval authority to the CAO to create the tariff of fees and election expenses.
MOTION CARRIED

12.4 Motion to Increase Commercial Tipping Fees – Clare Transfer Station
In order to mitigate operational losses at the Clare Transfer Station, the Director of Finance, with the support of the CAO, is recommending the commercial tipping fees be increased to the following, effective April 1, 2024:

• $145 / metric ton for garbage,
• $145 / metric ton for recyclables,
• $100 / metric ton for sorted construction debris,
• $200 / metric ton for unsorted construction debris.

While this is a significant increase, the revised fees are still well below what is charged by neighboring municipal units. Council agreed with the proposed revisions and made the following motion:

MOVED BY Councillor Brian Comeau and SECONDED BY Deputy Warden Eric Pothier that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare increase its commercial tipping fees to the following as of April 1, 2024:

• $145 / metric ton for garbage,
• $145 / metric ton for recyclables,
• $100 / metric ton for sorted construction debris,
• $200 / metric ton for unsorted construction debris.

MOTION CARRIED

12.5 Motion to Purchase Radar Speed Sign
Following a recommendation put forward by the Police Advisory Board and subsequent discussions between members of Council, the CAO and Absolute Traffic & Sign Solutions, the CAO is recommending Council proceed with the purchase of the Evolution 12 Radar Speed Sign. Council agreed 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 purchase an “Evolution 12 Radar Speed Sign” from Absolute Traffic & Sign Solutions Ltd., in the amount of $3,833 plus HST.
MOTION CARRIED

12.6 Motion to Approve Funding Contribution – Société Historique Acadienne de la Baie Sainte-Marie
Staff is working with the Société Historique Acadienne de la Baie Sainte-Marie on a funding application to the Sustainable Communities Challenge Fund. The goal of the application is to improve the climate resiliency of the site (which often floods during storm surges and high tides), all the while bettering the functionality and aesthetics of the site. Project elements involve mostly earth work and landscaping and remain the same as what was originally presented to Council last year when it was included as part of the larger Belliveau Cove project.
In terms of budget, the total project cost is $154,971. Proposed sources of funding are as follows:

• Sustainable Communities Challenge Fund - $123,977 (80%)
• Société Historique Acadienne de la Baie Sainte-Marie - $2,000 (1.3%)
• Municipality of Clare - $28,994 (18.7%)

The CAO is recommending Council approve the proposed municipal funding contribution given the cultural and historical significance of the site, the excellent leveraging ($0.19 dollars), and the fact that funds will flow from next year’s budget (i.e., no impact to this fiscal). Council agreed and made the following motion:

MOVED BY Councillor Nil Doucet and SECONDED BY Councillor Carl Deveau that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare contribute $28,994 to the Société Historique Acadienne de la Baie Sainte-Marie in support of its application to the Sustainable Communities Challenge Fund for improvements to the Acadian Cemetery and Chapel.
MOTION CARRIED

12.7 Motion to Award Tender – Excavation Services, Clare Transfer Station
Excavation services are budgeted for annually in support of staff’s efforts to sort material at the Municipality’s C&D site. To this end, an invitational tender was issued to 5 local businesses. Following a review of the bids, it is the recommendation of the CAO that Council award the tender for excavation services at the Clare Transfer Station to Spec Resources Inc. in the amount of $4,875 plus HST. Council agreed and made the following motion:

MOVED BY Councillor Philippe Gaudet and SECONDED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare award the tender for excavation services at the Clare Transfer Station to Spec Resources Inc. in the amount of $4,875 plus HST.
MOTION CARRIED

12.8 Motion to Purchase New Pump – Belliveau Cove Wastewater Treatment Plant
The pump at the Belliveau Cove Wastewater Treatment Plant failed unexpectedly and needs to be replaced. As a temporary measure, a pump was borrowed from the Church Point Plant. The cost of a new pump from the Municipality’s current provider has been quoted at $7,894.42 plus HST. The CAO is recommending the Municipality proceed with the purchase. Council agreed and made the following motion:

MOVED BY Councillor Nil Doucet and SECONDED BY Deputy Warden Eric Pothier that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare purchase a new pump for the Belliveau Cove Wastewater Treatment plant from Xylem Canada LP in the amount of $7,894.42 plus HST and that these funds be taken from the Municipality’s Canada Community-Building Fund Reserve.
MOTION CARRIED

12.9 Abandoned Fishing Vessels
The CAO discussed ongoing issues with abandoned fishing vessels in various locations throughout the Municipality. In speaking with Transport Canada and the Canadian Coast Guard, they have indicated that there are programs available to assist with the cost of removal. One challenge with this issue is that it is often difficult to locate and/or contact the owners of the abandoned vessels to ask them to properly dispose of them. To be eligible for program assistance, applicants must demonstrate that an effort was made to have the vessel removed by the owner. In most cases, it is not possible to find the owner of the abandoned vessel which in turn significantly delays the disposal process.

The Warden and CAO spoke with MLA Ronnie LeBlanc who, as a follow-up to his recent discussions with Transport Canada on this same issue, suggested writing a letter to the Department expressing Council’s concerns and frustrations with the current program requirements so that government officials in Ottawa are made aware of the issue. Council agreed and made the following motion:

MOVED BY Councillor Carl Deveau and SECONDED BY Councillor Brian Comeau that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare send a letter to Mr. Vance Badawey, Parliamentary Secretary for Transport Canada, highlighting the ongoing issues surrounding abandoned boats in the Municipality of Clare.
MOTION CARRIED

13) Closed Session

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

Topics Discussed:
13.1 Contract Negotiations
13.2 Personnel Matters 

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

14) Date and time of the next Regular Council Meeting
The next Regular Council Meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 17, 2024, at 7:00 pm.

15) Adjournment
MOVED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau to adjourn the meeting at 9:15 pm.

Submitted by:
Ashley Hanks
Executive Assistant