Municipality of the District of Clare
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
PRESENT: Council: Warden Ronnie LeBlanc; Deputy Warden Brian Comeau; Councillors:
Lester Doucet, Nil Doucet, Danny Hill Hector Thibault and Robert Thibault;Staff: CAO Connie Saulnier and Deputy Clerk Jeannette Doucet. Translators:
James Crombie and Gilles LeBlanc. Camera Operator: Jene Dugas Cottreau.
ABSENT: Councillor Russell Comeau.
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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
MOVED BY Councillor Robert Thibault and SECONDED BY Councillor Danny Hill that the proposed Agenda be approved as circulated.
MOTION CARRIED
(b) CONFLICT OF INTEREST DECLARATION
Warden LeBlanc asked for any declarations of conflict of interest from the floor.
None Declared.
3) PRESENTATIONS
None.
4) ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES FROM PREVIOUS COUNCIL MEETINGS
4.1 November 20th, 2013 Regular Council Meeting
MOVED BY Councillor Hector Thibault and SECONDED BY Councillor Lester Doucet that the minutes of minutes of the November 20, 2013 Regular Council Meeting be accepted as circulated.
MOTION CARRIED
4.2 December 4th, 2013 Council-In-Committee Meeting
MOVED BY Councillor Danny Hill and SECONDED BY Councillor Nil Doucet that the minutes of the December 4, 2013 Council-In-Committee be accepted as circulated.
MOTION CARRIED
5) BUSINESS ARISING FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS
There was no business arising from previous meetings to discuss
6) WARDEN’S REPORT
Warden Ronnie LeBlanc listed the meetings and events he attended:
- unveiling of commemorative plaque at former Comeau Lumber office building to honour the late Edmond C. Comeau ;
- luncheon with medical students from Clare;
- meeting with Vince Stuart regarding MOU with Fundy Tidal;
- meeting regarding MOU with Fundy Tidal with Municipality of Digby;
- meeting in Yarmouth regarding "School Review Process Discussion Paper".
7) OFFICIAL STATEMENTS FROM THE MEMBERS OF COUNCIL
Councillor Hector Thibault indicated that the Church Point parish of Église Sainte-Marie won an award through Heritage Nova Scotia, that will be presented in Halifax in February (the 2013 Mary Schaefer Places of Worship Award).
Warden Ronnie LeBlanc wished to congratulate Eddie McCauley for his new enterprise of C & D Seafoods (a processing plant for dry fish) in Meteghan. Warden LeBlanc indicated that Council should send a letter of congratulations.
8) CORRESPONDENCE
8.1 Letter from Gilles LeBlanc RE: Tintamarre and Liquor Control Act
A copy of a letter from Gilles LeBlanc sent to Honourable Michel Samson, Minister of Acadian Affaires dated December 20, 2013 (copy enclosed) was read. Mr. LeBlanc is asking that regulations in the Liquor Control Act be changed to accommodate a family atmosphere during the Festival acadien de Clare's Tintamarre Concert. Currently, the concert area is divided in two sections (one where alcohol beverages are permitted and one where they are not). Mr. LeBlanc requested in an email addressed to the Warden that the Municipality send a letter of support to the Minister regarding his request.
Councillor Robert Thibault suggested the Municipality send a letter of support and ask for a complete review of the Liquor Control Act regulations. Council agreed to the letter of support.
8.2 Letter from Lisa Doucette RE: Clare preparing for Yarmouth Ferry
A letter dated January 1, 2014 (copy enclosed) was received from Lisa Doucette, CTV Morning Live Community Correspondent. Mrs. Doucette inquired how Council was going to prepare for the Yarmouth Ferry, which will once again provide service this Spring. She also commented of the conditions of the Pointe à Major cemetery and beaches in the Municipality, as well as the topic of public transportation in Clare.
Council discussed the letter and it was suggested that a copy of the letter be sent to Transport de Clare for their review and feedback.
It was also suggested that a copy of the letter be sent to the Tourism Department for their review and feedback.
Council agreed to send Mrs. Doucette a letter of acknowledgment.
9) COMMITTEE REPORTS
9.1 Building Permits Report (2-Year Comparison) – Councillor Danny Hill
Councillor Danny Hill presented the building permits reports for the previous two months as well as the year end summary, as submitted by the Building Department.
November
Year Permits Value of Construction
2013 10 $1,195,372.00
2012 11 $ 580,760.00
December
Year Permits Value of Construction
2013 7 $ 252,900.00
2012 7 $ 231,440.00
Year End (see attached)
Year Permits Value of Construction
2014 212 $ 8,901,195.00
2013 227 $12,285,000.00
9.2 Clare Economic Development Committee (CEDC) – Warden LeBlanc
Warden Ronnie LeBlanc indicated that the committee met January 9, 2014. Peter LeBlanc a member of the committee gave a presentation on the process involved in starting a new business (the "what/where" process). Warden LeBlanc indicated that the committee will hear a presentation by Cooke's Aquaculture in February and from Allister Surette in March.
9.3 Communication Committee – Warden Ronnie LeBlanc
Nothing to report at this time.
9.4 Planning Advisory Committee (PAC) – Councillor Danny Hill
Councillor Danny Hill indicated that members of PAC are still working on the Watershed Zoning project and PAC will be holding a public meeting to get the public's feedback regarding this project. Councillor Hill indicated the private roads by-law is being reviewed and new by-laws have been for prepared for subdivisions and maintenance of private roads.
9.5 Recreation Committee – Councillor Nil Doucet
Council was provided the Active Living Coordinator's quarterly report.
9.6.1 Clare Municipal Tourism Committee – Councillor Robert Thibault
Nothing to report at this time.
9.6.2 Yarmouth and Acadian Shores Tourism Association (YASTA) – Councillor Robert Thibault
Councillor Robert Thibault indicated that YASTA's General Manager Julie Walters has resigned. Councillor Thibault indicated that the committee has discussed that YASTA should be looking at its long-term projects, funding etc.
The Best of YAS awards were announced and the winners from Clare will be placed in the Clare Shopper and Le Courrier and posted on the Municipal Website.
9.7 Villa acadienne Board of Directors – Deputy Warden Brian Comeau
Nothing to report at this time.
9.8 Waste Check – Councillor Robert Thibault
Waste Check presented its new draft budget for the upcoming year.
10) NEW BUSINESS
10.1 Motion to Rescind a Motion of Council RE.: YASTA By-Laws
MOVED BY Councillor Robert Thibault and SECONDED BY Councillor Danny Hill that Council RESCIND the May 22, 2013 Motion of Council which supported the new By-Laws proposed by Yarmouth and Acadian Shores Tourism Association (YASTA), version 18, as approved by the YASTA Board on April 5, 2013.
MOTION CARRIED
10.2 Request for funding from Clare Search and Rescue – MOTION
A request was received (see attached) from Clare Search & Rescue regarding funding for the completion of repairs at the Comeauville building. The group uses the Municipal building in Comeauville for meetings, training, etc. They are requesting funding from the 2014-2015 Budget in the amount of $2,000 (for vapour barrier, gyprock, crackfill and repainting in the meeting room, bathroom and logistics room).
Council discussed. Council proceeded with the following motion:
MOVED BY Councillor Robert Thibault and SECONDED BY Councillor
Lester Doucet that the Municipality of Clare allocate, in advance, the amount of Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000) from the 2014-2015 Municipal Budget for Municipal Building Repairs, for the completion of repairs at the Comeauville building (for vapour barrier, gyprock, crackfill and repainting in the meeting room, bathroom and logistics room) with the agreement that Clare Search and Rescue will provide receipts to the Municipality of Clare.
MOTION CARRIED
10.3 Request for funding from Seniors' Shuffle Board Game – MOTION
A request had been received from Clare Seniors' Group "Les Jeux Seniors de Clare" for assistance with funding for shuffleboard lines to be painted on the floor of the former Legion Hall in Saulnierville. The estimate to paint the lines was $3,500 and the group requested a grant from the Municipality of no more than $1,800 to cover the shortfall. Council discussed and proceeded to the following motion.
WHEREAS "Les Jeux Seniors de Clare" have received a New Horizons Grant in the amount of $6,349.00 for the purchase of Shuffleboard equipment and that as per the attached estimate, they require additional funding to complete the painting of the lines to play Shuffleboard,
IT WAS MOVED BY Councillor Hector Thibault and SECONDED BY Councillor Danny Hill that the Municipality of Clare approve a grant in an amount not to exceed One Thousand Eight Hundred Dollars ($1,800.00) to cover the shortfall; and that the colour of the lines to be painted be light, and two (2) coats of clear finish be applied over the lines.
MOTION CARRIED
11) DATE AND TIME OF NEXT COUNCIL MEETING
The next Council meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, February 19, 2014 at 7 pm.
12) ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 7:45 p.m. following a motion by Councillor Nil Doucet.
Respectfully submitted by
Jeannette Doucet – Deputy Clerk
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