Municipality of the District of Clare
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
Wednesday, February 19, 2020 at 7:00 pm
PRESENT: Council: Warden Ronnie LeBlanc; Councillors, Hector Thibault, Carl Deveau, Danny Hill, Brian Comeau, Eric Pothier and Yvon LeBlanc
Staff: CAO Stéphane Cyr, Communications Officer, Amy Paradis, and Executive Assistant, Ashley Hanks
Presenters:
ABSENT: Deputy Warden Nil Doucet
1) Call to Order
Warden Ronnie LeBlanc called the Council meeting to order at 7:00 pm.
2) (a) Approval of the Agenda
Warden Ronnie LeBlanc asked that the following revisions be made to the agenda:
• 8.6 Harold J. Fonte, Jr. – Liaison, Church Point Cultural District
• 8.7 Randal Menard – President, Louisiane-Acadie
• 12.1 - Change Acquisition of Municipal Property to Acquisition and Sale of Municipal Property
MOVED BY Councillor Danny Hill and SECONDED BY Councillor Yvon LeBlanc 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.
Councillor Eric Pothier declared himself in conflict with item 11.9 as he is an employee of the CSAP.
3) Presentations
None.
4)Adoption of the Minutes from Previous Council Meetings
4.1 January 15, 2020 – Regular Council Meeting
MOVED BY Councillor Yvon LeBlanc and SECONDED BY Councillor Danny Hill that the minutes of January 15, 2020 be accepted as circulated.
MOTION CARRIED
4.2 February 5, 2020 – Council-In-Committee Meeting
MOVED BY Councillor Carl Deveau and SECONDED BY Councillor Danny Hill that the minutes of February 5, 2020 be accepted as circulated.
MOTION CARRIED
5) Business Arising from Previous Meetings
None.
6) Warden’s Activity Report – Warden Ronnie LeBlanc
The Warden provided a summary of the meetings and events the he attended since the last Council meeting.
January 18 – Attended a strategic planning meeting of the Board of Directors of the Yarmouth Hospital Foundation.
January 23 – Attended a meeting of the Société édifice Sainte-Marie Committee at the Université Sainte-Anne Centre for Entrepreneurship.
January 28 – Attended a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Yarmouth Hospital Foundation.
January 29 – Attended the Board of Directors meeting for Université Sainte-Anne.
February 6 – Attended a meeting at the Clare Health Centre with two doctors from Ontario. The meeting was organized by Karma Chickoski, recruiter for the western zone.
February 6 – Attended a public consultation hosted by Cermaq at the Clare Veterans Centre.
February 7 – Participated in an interview with CBC and a second interview with CJLS to discuss the Municipality’s internet project
February 8 – Attended the Board of Governors meeting for Université Sainte-Anne.
February 10 – Attended a ceremony at the municipal office for Dr. Alban Comeau in honor of his many years of service to the community.
February 12 – Attended a meeting with Colette King of the CDÉNÉ to update their community plan.
February 13 – Attended an Audit Committee meeting of the CDÉNÉ.
February 18 – Attended a meeting with the other members of Council and our new Member of Parliament for West Nova, Mr. Chris d’Entremont.
February 19 – Attended a meeting of the Société édifice Sainte-Marie Committee and the project consultants at the Université Sainte-Anne Centre for Entrepreneurship.
7) Official Statements from Members of Council
Councillor Brian Comeau raised the issue of the railroad blockades which are seriously hindering the delivery of propane to the East Coast. More specifically, two residents from his district informed him that they were only delivered half of their regular propane order due to the current supply shortage. These same residents rely on propane for heat and cooking. Councillor Comeau asked that a letter be sent to MP d’Entremont outlining Council’s concerns surrounding the blockades and the current propane shortage. Council agreed.
8) Correspondence
8.1 Chris d’Entremont, MP, West Nova
The CAO read a letter from Chris d’Entremont, MP for West Nova. (
See attached)
8.2 Glennie Langille, Chief of Protocol, Secretary of the Order of Nova Scotia
The CAO read a letter from Glennie Langille, Chief of Protocol for the Secretary of the Order of Nova Scotia. (See attached)
8.3 Ryan Meche, Mayor of the Town of Church Point, Louisiana
The CAO read a letter from Ryan Meche, Mayor of the Town of Church Point, Louisiana. (See attached)
8.4 The Honourable Lloyd Hines, Minister, Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal
The CAO read a letter from the Honourable Lloyd Hines, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal. (See attached)
8.5 The Honourable Chuck Porter, Minister, Municipal Affairs and Housing
The CAO read a letter from the Honourable Chuck Porter, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. (See attached)
8.6 Harold J. Fonte, Jr. – Liaison, Church Point Cultural District
The CAO read a letter from Harold J. Fonte, Jr., Liaison for the Church Point Cultural District. (See attached)
8.7 Randal Menard – President, Louisiane-Acadie
The CAO read a letter from Randal Menard, President of Louisiane-Acadie. (See attached)
9) CAO Report – Chief Administrative Officer - Stéphane Cyr
The CAO presented his report for the month of February 2020. (See attached)
Warden LeBlanc noted that the Internet Project has been a municipal priority since 2017 and thanked the CAO and Councillors for all their hard work on this file.
10) Committee Reports
10.1 Building Permits Report – Councillor Danny Hill
Councillor Danny Hill read the building permits report for the month of January.
January 2020
Year Permits Construction Value Year to Date
2019 11 $ 860,000 $ 860,000
2020 7 $ 322,360 $ 322,360
11) New Business
11.1 Motion to Support Regional Bid – 2021 TMAC Conference and AGM
Tourism Manager Larry peach presented at the Council of the Whole meeting on February 5 and informed Council of the opportunity to participate in a regional bid to host the 2021 Travel Media Association of Canada (TMAC) Conference and AGM. YASTA is leading the bid submission process and is asking for support from neighboring municipalities, towns, tourism development organizations and the Province of Nova Scotia. The budget for this event (currently in draft form) is expected to range from $150,000 to $200,000. The specific request to the Municipality of Clare is for both a letter of support and a $10,000 contribution. Both the CAO and staff are supportive of this request.
MOVED BY Councillor Danny Hill and SECONDED BY Councillor Hector Thibault that the Municipality of the District of Clare contribute $10,000 to YASTA in support of the regional bid to host the 2021 TMAC Conference and AGM.
MOTION CARRIED
11.2 Motion to Send a Letter – Nova Scotia Civic Address File (NSCAF)
Councillor Hector Thibault advised Council that the residents of Bonnenfant Road were unaware that the Bonnenfant Road was no longer the boundary line between Church Point and Grosses Coques and that it had in fact been changed some time ago by the Nova Scotia Civic Address File (NSCAF). Having now been made aware of this change, the residents of Bonnenfant Road are requesting the boundary line be changed back to its previous location and have signed a petition to this effect, circulated by Councillor Thibault. It should be noted that this change will have no effect on the electoral boundaries.
MOVED BY Councillor Hector Thibault and SECONDED BY Councillor Carl Deveau that the Municipality of the District of Clare send a letter to the Nova Scotia Civic Address File (NSCAF) requesting the current boundary line between Church Point and Grosses Coques be changed back to the Bonnenfant Road.
MOTION CARRIED
11.3 Motion to Appoint Returning Officer – 2020 Municipal and School Board Elections
In anticipation of the 2020 municipal election in October, Council must appoint a Returning Officer before March 15, 2020. Pam Doucet has assumed this role in previous municipal elections and is prepared to do so again. Council spoke highly of Mrs. Doucet’s efforts during the last municipal election and are supportive of her appointment.
MOVED BY Councillor Carl Deveau and SECONDED BY Councillor Danny Hill that the Municipality of the District of Clare appoint Pam Doucet as the Returning Officer for the 2020 Municipal and School Board Elections.
MOTION CARRIED
11.4 Motion to Write a Letter of Support – Expo d’Art Saint Bernard
Communications Officer Amy Paradis was approached by Nadine Belliveau requesting a letter from the Municipality in support of the Expo’s application to Events Nova Scotia for financial assistance with marketing activities. Expo d’Art Saint Bernard is in its sixth year and in 2019 displayed and sold the works of 26 local artists.
MOVED BY Councillor Yvon LeBlanc and SECONDED BY Councillor Carl Deveau that the Municipality of the District of Clare write a letter of support for Expo d’Art Saint Bernard.
MOTION CARRIED
11.5 Motion to Send a Letter – Nova Scotia Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal
Councillor Eric Pothier brought a letter to Council from a resident asking Council to consider the addition of a crosswalk at the intersection of the Peter Dugas Road and Route 1, citing the risk to pedestrians wishing to cross this busy location. Whereas the Municipality does not own either of these roads, Councillor Pothier would like to send a letter to the Nova Scotia Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal.
MOVED BY Councillor Eric Pothier and SECONDED BY Councillor Brian Comeau that the Municipality of the District of Clare send a letter to the Nova Scotia Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal asking that it evaluate the possible addition of a crosswalk in Meteghan, at the intersection of the Peter Dugas Road and Route 1.
MOTION CARRIED
11.6 Motion to Award Certificates – Volunteer Fire Service, 50-Year Service Award
Deputy Warden Doucet was asked at a recent meeting of the Clare Firefighters Association if the Municipality awarded certificates of recognition to volunteer firefighters having served 50 years or more. It does not, however Council is in favor of adopting this practice.
MOVED BY Councillor Danny Hill and SECONDED BY Councillor Hector Thibault that the Municipality of the District of Clare award certificates of recognition to those volunteer firefighters who have served for 50 years or more.
MOTION CARRIED
11.7 Motion to Sign Contribution Agreement – Mainland Telecom
This motion was added to the agenda for administrative purposes. The agreement has already been signed with Council’s permission.
MOVED BY Councillor Yvon LeBlanc and SECONDED BY Councillor Danny Hill that the Municipality of the District of Clare sign the contribution agreement with Mainland Telecom, as presented on February 5, 2020, as part of the phase-one rollout of the fibre optic network spanning 278 kilometres in Clare and reaching an estimated 4,600 residences and businesses.
MOTION CARRIED
11.8 Letter of Support – Atlantic Canada BBQ Championship Society
André LeBlanc and Philippe Gaudet are asking for a letter of support on behalf of the Atlantic Canada BBQ Championship Society as part of their application to NS Communities, Culture and Heritage. The event will take place from August 14-16, 2020. The CAO presented a brief overview of the event taken from information which is available on the Society’s website (https://www.atlanticcanadabbq.com/ )
MOVED BY Councillor Carl Deveau and SECONDED BY Councillor Yvon LeBlanc that the Municipality of the District of Clare write a letter of support for the Atlantic Canada BBQ Championship Society.
MOTION CARRIED
11.9 Funding Request – Elizabeth Harvey, Nutrition Committee, École secondaire de Clare
Council received a letter from Elizabeth Harvey of the Nutrition Committee of the École secondaire de Clare. (See attached)
After much discussion, Council decided to not entertain this request since the Municipality already contributes significantly to education each year. In 2019-2020, the Municipality contributed $1.785 million to education. This contribution represents 19% of the Municipality’s overall budget and its single largest annual expense. While the project has merit and the group’s efforts to offer nutritious meal options to students are commendable, Council does not want to begin funding one-off projects for individual schools in light of the sizeable funding it already provides.
11.10 Motion to Dispose of Documents – 2012 or prior
The Municipality would like to dispose of some documents from 2012 or prior. These include old bills, assessments, tipping fee statements, cheque stubs, deposit books, and sales receipts for the Rendez-vous de la Baie. The Municipality currently has a by-law which states that prior to the disposal of municipal documents, these must first be reviewed by the CAO and the disposal approved by Council. In keeping with this by-law, the CAO has reviewed the documents and is recommending their disposal to Council.
In the CAO’s opinion, the current by-law for the disposal of records unnecessarily complicates what is essentially an operational issue. Therefore, it is recommended the Municipality adopt a Record Management Policy and once the policy is in place, that the current by-law be repealed. Council agreed that a proper records management policy would better serve the Municipality.
MOVED BY Councillor Yvon LeBlanc and SECONDED BY Councillor Danny Hill that the Municipality of the District of Clare dispose of those documents with a date of 2012 or prior which have no value therein and do not include any documents or records which are exempt from destruction pursuant to section 3 of the Destruction of Documents By-Law.
MOTION CARRIED
12) In Camera Session
PROPOSED BY Councillor Danny Hill and SECONDED BY Councillor Yvon LeBlanc that Council proceed to an In-Camera Session.
MOTION CARRIED
Topics discussed:
12.1 Acquisition and Sale of Municipal Property
PROPOSED BY Councillor Yvon LeBlanc and SECONDED BY Councillor Danny Hill 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 March 18, 2020 at 7:00 pm.
14) Adjournment
MOVED BY Councillor Yvon LeBlanc to adjourn the meeting at 9:45 pm.
Submitted by:
Ashley Hanks
Executive Assistant