Municipality of the District of Clare
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
Wednesday, February 21, 2024, 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, Carl Deveau, Brian Comeau, and Nadine Comeau
Staff: CAO Stéphane Cyr, Executive Assistant, Aimélie Comeau, and Communications Officer, Anique Dugas
Presenters:
ABSENT: Councillors Danny Hill and Philippe Gaudet
1) Call to Order
Warden Yvon LeBlanc called the Council meeting to order at 7:00 pm.
2) Adoption of the Agenda
MOVED BY Councillor Carl Deveau and SECONDED BY Councillor Nil Doucet that the proposed agenda be approved as circulated.
MOTION CARRIED
3) Declaration of Conflict of Interest
None declared.
4) Presentations
None.
5) Adoption of the Minutes from Previous Council Meetings
5.1 January 17, 2024 – Regular Council Meeting
MOVED BY Councillor Carl Deveau and SECONDED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau that the minutes of the January 17, 2024, Regular Council Meeting be accepted as presented.
MOTION CARRIED
5.2 February 7, 2024 – Council-In-Committee Meeting
MOVED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau and SECONDED BY Deputy Warden Eric Pothier that the minutes of the February 7, 2024, 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
January 23 - Attended the regular meeting of the Villa Acadienne.
February 12 – Attended a meeting between members of Council and Stantec to discuss (and feed into) the mandatory review of the Municipality’s Planning Strategy and Land Use By-law.
February 21 – Met with the Chief Executive Officer of the NSFM to discuss our projects and priorities, and to explore opportunities for collaboration.
8) Official Statements from Members of Council
Councillor Carl Deveau would like to recognize the members of Clare Search and Rescue for their efforts in helping those in Cape Breton impacted by the heavy snowfall in February.
9) Correspondence
9.1 The Honourable Allan MacMaster - Minister, Communities, Culture, Tourism, and Heritage
The CAO read a letter from the Honourable Allan MacMaster, Minister of Communities, Culture, Tourism, and Heritage. (See attached)
9.2 Ken Piggott – Road to Trails Coordinator, Sou’West Nova ATV Association
The CAO read a letter from Ken Piggot, Road to Trails Coordinator with the Sou’West Nova ATV Association. (See attached)
MOVED BY Councillor Brian Comeau and SECONDED BY Councillor Eric Pothier that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare write a letter to the Sou’West Nova ATV Association in support of their request to the provincial government for road trail access, from the trail access at the intersection of the Duffy Rd and the Clare Trail to Comeau Fuels at 10017 NS Trunk 1 in Saulnierville.
MOTION CARRIED
10) CAO Report – Chief Administrative Officer – Stéphane Cyr
The CAO presented his report for the month of February. (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 January.
January 2024
|
Year |
Permits |
Construction Value |
Year to Date |
|
2023 |
12 |
$ 559,440 |
$ 559,440 |
|
2024 |
9 |
$ 333,200 |
$ 333,200 |
11.2 Waste Check – Councillor Carl Deveau
The Waste Check Annual General Meeting is scheduled for 10:00 am on May 14th, 2024.
Waste Check placed another order for green bins. The order totaled $81,260 and was comprised of 400 64-gallon bins and 620 35-gallon bins.
Illegal dumping remains an issue despite the Municipality offering curbside collection every two weeks.
Furthermore, individual residents are permitted to bring up to 200 kg of household garbage daily to the municipal transfer station at no cost (i.e., no tipping fees).
Lastly, Councillor Deveau reminded the public that no solid-coloured bags will be accepted as of April 1st, 2024.
12) New Business
12.1 Motion to Increase Funding Contribution – Roofing, Cape Saint Mary Lighthouse Park
During the last Regular Council Meeting, the Municipality of the District of Clare awarded the tender for needed roof repairs to the lighthouse and picnic shelter at the Cape Saint Mary Lighthouse Park, up to a maximum of $15,000 plus HST, to Kevin Comeau Construction Ltd. However, upon further inspection, additional damage was discovered. The damaged material must be removed, and the entire main roof covered with ½’’ select plywood, which in turn increases the cost by roughly $4,000, from $15,000 plus HST to $19,055 plus HST. Council agreed to the proposed increase 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 increase the project amount from $15,000 plus HST to $19,055 plus HST for needed roof repairs to the lighthouse and picnic shelter at the Cape Saint Mary Lighthouse Park, and that these funds be taken from the Municipality’s Capital Reserve.
MOTION CARRIED
12.2 Motion to Approve Sponsorship Request – Wharf Rat Rally
The CAO was approached by The Wharf Rat Rally regarding sponsorship opportunities for 2024-25. (See attached)
Given the economic benefits which will accrue to the Municipality of Clare as a result of this event, the CAO is recommending moving forward with the “Spitfire Sponsorship Package” in the amount of $2,500. Council agreed and made the following motion:
MOVED BY Councillor Nil Doucet and SECONDED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare approve the sponsorship request for the 2024 Wharf Rat Rally in the amount of $2,500.
MOTION CARRIED
12.3 Motion to Order Demolition – 3232 Highway 1, Belliveau Cove
The Municipality’s By-Law Enforcement Officer is recommending Council order the demolition of the building located at 3232 Highway 1, Belliveau Cove. Based on the Officer’s assessment of the property, including photos of the building in question, the CAO is also recommending this course of action. Should the property owner fail to comply with the directions of the order, the Municipality will carry out the directions as per the powers granted it under the Municipal Government Act. 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 order the demolition of the building located at 3232 Highway 1, Belliveau Cove and a letter to that effect be sent to the owner.
MOTION CARRIED
12.4 Motion to Accept Proposal – Electronic Access System
The Municipality included $10,000 in its 2023-24 Capital Budget for the purchase and installation of an electronic access system for the municipal office. The bid received from Langsecure Security totaled $10,826 plus HST. The CAO is recommending Council accept the bid despite the slight overage. 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 accept the bid from Langsecure Security, in the amount of $10,826 plus HST, for the purchase and installation of an electronic access system for the municipal office, and that these funds be taken from the Municipality’s Capital Reserve.
MOTION CARRIED
12.5 Motion to Approve Property Tax Write-Off (Fire Damage)
The property at 49 Blanco Bell Road was destroyed by fire on July 28, 2023. It is the practice of Council to refund a pro-rated tax amount in the case of fire. Council passed the following motion to move this process forward:
MOVED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau and SECONDED BY Councillor Nil Doucet that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare write-off the following tax amount in accordance with the assessment reduction of the Property Valuation Services Corporation for the reason described herein:
Account # Amount Year Reason
00278696 $901.98 2023 Fire Damage
MOTION CARRIED
12.6 Motion to Send Letter of Support – Save our Daycares Campaign
The CAO received a letter from the president of the Équipe Alphabétisation Nouvelle-Écosse, Liane Roy, requesting the Municipality’s written support for the proposed amendments to Bill C-35 which seek to guarantee long-term federal funding for French daycare services. Council agreed to the request and made the following motion:
MOVED BY Councillor Eric Pothier and SECONDED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare write a letter as part of the Save Our Daycares Campaign, in support of the proposed amendments to Bill C-35 which seek to guarantee long-term federal funding for French daycare services in official language minority communities.
MOTION CARRIED
12.7 Motion to Approve Funding – Medical First Responder Training
After much discussion on this issue, it was recommended by the CAO that Council support this request for the 2024-25 fiscal year and that it also support FSANS in its efforts to lobby the Province for incremental MFR funding. Recognizing the value and the importance of MFR services to our community, Council agreed and made the following motion:
MOVED BY Councillor Nil Doucet and SECONDED BY Councillor Brian Comeau that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare approve funding of $4,800 for MFR training for the 2024-2025 fiscal year, to be distributed evenly among the 6 volunteer departments currently providing the service, based on an allowance of $400 per member and a maximum of 2 members per department.
MOTION CARRIED
12.8 Motion to Accept Proposal – E-voting Services Contract
The Municipality of Clare will be offering both e-voting and paper ballot options in the October 2024 municipal election. As was the case in the last municipal election (2020), the procurement process to ensure an e-voting service was led by the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) and the terms negotiated as part of this process have been offered to all other municipal units in Nova Scotia interested in offering an e-voting option. The chosen provider for 2024 is Scytl Canada Inc. Both the Returning Officer and the CAO are recommending Council accept the proposal from Scytl Canada Inc. in the amount of $27,510 plus HST. Council agreed and made the following motion:
MOVED BY Councillor Carl Deveau and SECONDED BY Deputy Warden Eric Pothier that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare accept the proposal from Scytl Canada Inc. to provide e-voting services for the 2024 Municipal and School Board Elections for the Municipality of the District of Clare, in the amount of $27,510 plus HST.
MOTION CARRIED
12.9 Motion to Accept Proposal – Encompass Surveying and Engineering
The Municipality’s parcel of land located at 15 Cottreau Road in Little Brook has been earmarked for housing development. To prepare the site for said development, a legal retracement survey of the property is required. To this end, it is the recommendation of the CAO that Council accept the proposal from Encompass Surveying & Engineering Ltd. in the amount of $10,980 + HST. 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 accept the proposal from Encompass Surveying & Engineering Ltd. in the amount of $10,980 + HST for the legal retracement survey of the property located at 15 Cottreau Road, Little Brook, NS (PID #30033575).
MOTION CARRIED
12.10 Motion to Revise Municipal Pay Scales
A small error was detected in the current municipal pay scales. Although no employees were impacted by this error, it is nevertheless the recommendation of the CAO that this error be corrected for the period commencing April 1, 2024 (i.e., the new fiscal year). Council agreed and made the following motion:
MOVED BY Deputy Warden Eric Pothier and SECONDED BY Councillor Brian Comeau that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare accept the proposed amendments to the municipal employee salary scales, for the period commencing April 1, 2024, and ending March 31, 2025, as presented.
MOTION CARRIED
12.11 Motion to Approve Funding Contribution – Community Access-Ability Program
To complete the funding mix for the Municipality’s application to the Community ACCESS-Ability Program for the purchase of a covered shelter, accessible picnic tables and an accessible beach mat, a municipal contribution of $6,672 plus HST is required. Whereas this project provides strong leveraging and a focus on accessibility, the CAO is recommending Council approve the funding. Council agreed and made the following motion:
MOVED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau and SECONDED BY Councillor Carl Deveau that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare approve a funding contribution of $6,672 plus HST as part of its application to the Community ACCESS-Ability Program for the purchase of a covered shelter, accessible picnic tables and an accessible beach mat, and that these funds be taken from the Municipality’s Capital Reserve.
MOTION CARRIED
12.12 Motion to Set a Minimum Price at Tax Sale – PID: 30323372
The property in question has been on tax sale for six years meaning it is no longer subject to the six-month redemption period. To facilitate its sale, the CAO is recommending the outstanding balance of $13,676.53 plus HST, on Assessment Account Number (AAN) 08517126, be written off. 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 write off the outstanding balance on Assessment Account Number (AAN) 08517126, as of March 2, 2024.
MOTION CARRIED
12.13 Motion to Set a Minimum Price at Tax Sale – PID: 30084099
The property in question has been on tax sale for six years meaning it is no longer subject to the six-month redemption period. To facilitate its sale, the CAO is recommending the outstanding balance of $1,753.74 plus HST, on Assessment Account Number (AAN) 05166918, be written off. 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 off the outstanding balance on Assessment Account Number (AAN) 05166918, as of March 2, 2024.
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 Personnel Matters
13.2 Contract Negotiations
PROPOSED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau and SECONDED BY Councillor Nil Doucet that Council proceed to the Regular Council Meeting.
MOTION CARRIED
PROPOSED BY Councillor Carl Deveau and SECONDED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare authorize the creation of a new Recreation Assistant position to further enable the delivery of recreational services within the Municipality.
MOTION CARRIED
PROPOSED BY Councillor Nil Doucet and SECONDED BY Deputy Warden Eric Pothier that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare increase its contribution to the Société Historique Acadienne de la Baie Sainte-Marie in support of its application to the Sustainable Communities Challenge Fund by $4,275, from $28,994 to $33,269, to allow for the needed cladding of the chapel.
MOTION CARRIED
14) Date and Time of the next Regular Council Meeting
The next Regular Council Meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, at 7:00 pm.
15) Adjournment
MOVED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau to adjourn the meeting at 8:53 pm.
Submitted by:
Aimélie Comeau
Executive Assistant