Municipality of the District of Clare
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
Wednesday, July 16 , 2014
PRESENT: Council:Warden Ronnie LeBlanc; Deputy Warden Brian Comeau; Councillors:Russell Comeau, Lester Doucet, Nil Doucet, Danny Hill, and Hector Thibault;Staff: CAO Connie Saulnier and Deputy Clerk Jeannette Doucet.
Others: Odette Comeau and Andrea Gaudet.
Translators: Germaine Comeau and Richard Landry.
Camera Operator: Jene Dugas Cottreau.
ABSENT: Councillor Robert Thibault.
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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 Hector Thibault and SECONDED BY Councillor Lester Doucet that the proposed Agenda be approved as circulated.
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
There were no presentations.
4) ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES FROM PREVIOUS COUNCIL MEETINGS
4.1 June 18th, 2014 Regular Council Meeting
MOVED BY Councillor Danny Hill and SECONDED BY Deputy Warden Brian Comeau that Council Meeting minutes of June 18th, 2014 be accepted as circulated.
MOTION CARRIED
5) BUSINESS ARISING FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS
5.1 Municipal Healthy Eating Policy:
5.1.1 Letters of Support
Two letters received supporting the Municipal Healthy Eating Policy were read. One was from "South West Health" and one from the "Clare Community Health Board".
5.1.2 MOTION TO ADOPT
Council discussed the draft "Municipal Healthy Eating Policy" which had been presented to Council on June 4, 2014.
After a lengthy discussion, Council proceeded to the following Motion:
MOVED BY Deputy Warden Brian Comeau and SECONDED BY Councillor Nil Doucet that the Municipality of the District of Clare adopt the Municipal "Healthy Eating Policy" as submitted to Council by the Municipal Department of Recreation on June 4th 2014.
MOTION DEFEATED
Council discussed adopting the content of the "Healthy Eating Policy" as guidelines and proceeded to the following Motion:
MOVED BY Councillor Danny Hill and SECONDED BY Councillor Lester Doucet that the Municipality of the District of Clare approve the content of the Municipal "Healthy Eating Policy" as guidelines for the Municipality to follow.
MOTION CARRIED
5.2 "Active Transportation in Clare" Action Plan – MOTION TO ADOPT
Council discussed the draft "Active Transportation in Clare" Action Plan which had been presented to Council on May 7, 2014 and reviewed the changes as per Council's request regarding sidewalks. Council proceeded to the following Motion:
MOVED BY Councillor Hector Thibault and SECONDED BY Councillor Nil Doucet that the Municipality of the District of Clare adopt the Plan d'action pour le transport actif en Clare (Action Plan "Active Transportation in Clare") dated June 30, 2014 submitted by the Municipal Department of Recreation.
5.3 Sewer Connection in Belliveau Cove
Council was informed that an issue regarding a home owner not connected to the Belliveau Cove Sewer (property located at 3092 Hwy 1 in Saint Bernard) has been resolved. (At previous meetings, Council had discussed a complaint regarding a smell of sewer at a property in Saint Bernard. The home on the property was not hooked-up to the Municipal Sewer System. As per Council's request, the owner had been served with a Notice to Connect to the Public Sewer system.) The property owner in question has connected to the Municipal Sewer System as per Council's recommendation.
5.4 C & D Debris Disposal Site – CAO Connie Saulnier
CAO Connie Saulnier informed Council that she had received an email from Oliver Browning regarding the Construction and Demolition Debris disposal site project (see attached). Council must decide whether to continue to use the existing access road to the C&D site or proceed with the removal of loom materials from the new proposed road site, which would increase the project cost by $60,000 totalling approximately $150,000 instead of $90,000.
Council discussed and agreed to not change the existing access road to the C&D debris disposal site at the transfer station. CAO Connie Saulnier will make the necessary tender amendment.
6) WARDEN’S REPORT
Warden Ronnie LeBlanc listed the meetings and events he attended:
- Banquet at Seniors Games in Digby;
- announcement for Cap St-Mary dredging;
- Dr. Recruit Committee meeting in Weymouth;
- meeting with CBDC;
- Surette's Island Bridge official opening;
- The Meadow's facility Board of Directors meeting;
- Municipality's official Canada Day celebrations in Meteghan.
7) OFFICIAL STATEMENTS FROM THE MEMBERS OF COUNCIL
Councillor Lester Doucet wished to congratulate Gilles and Yvonne Frechette on their 50th wedding anniversary. Council was informed that a letter of congratulations had been sent to the couple.
Warden Ronnie LeBlanc wished to congratulate Emma LeBlanc, summer staff in the Recreation Department, who was accepted in medical school. Warden LeBlanc requested that a letter of congratulations be sent to Miss LeBlanc.
8) CORRESPONDENCE
8.1 NS Dept of Environment RE: Solid Waste Consultations
A letter dated June 27, 2014 (copy enclosed) was received from the NS Department of Environment regarding Solid Waste Consultations. The letter indicated that the deadline to provide input has been extended to September 30. CAO Connie Saulnier indicated that Waste Check will be sending a response.
9) C.A.O. Report - Chief Administrative Officer Connie Saulnier
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 15 $112,401.00
2014 15 $ 71,061.00
10.2 Clare Economic Development Committee (CEDC) – Warden LeBlanc
Nothing to report.
10.3 Communication Committee – Warden Ronnie LeBlanc
Nothing to report.
10.4 Planning Advisory Committee (PAC) – Councillor Danny Hill
Councillor Danny Hill indicated that PAC was continuing to work on the process to have the 3 By-Laws adopted.
Regarding By-Law #34: Private Road Maintenance Charges, Councillor Hill indicated that the Solicitor is reviewing PAC's changes before the By-Law goes before Council. Regarding #33 Subdivisions By-Law, Councillor Hill indicated that Greg Zwicker was working on the changes to the By-Law, as per PAC's recommendations. Once changes made, PAC will review revised By-Law before taking it to Council. Regarding #29-01-2014 Improvement & Take-Over of Private Roads By-Law, Councillor Hill indicated that the By-Law was read for 2nd and Final Reading and a Motion to Enact was adopted at June 18 Council meeting. A "Notice of Approval" has been placed in local papers for the 14-day "Appeal Period".
10.5 Recreation Committee – Councillor Nil Doucet
Committee meeting minutes of June 26, 2014 were circulated. Councillor Nil Doucet pointed out the important highlights of the minutes. Councillor Doucet indicated that the Official Flag Raising Ceremony for the National Acadian Day will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Friday August 15, at the Municipal Administration Building. Everyone is invited to attend.
10.6 Clare Municipal Tourism Committee – Councillor Robert Thibault
Committee meeting minutes of June 25, 2014 were circulated. Councillor Robert Thibault pointed out the important highlights of the minutes. Councillor Thibault indicated that Provincial and Federal funding had been approved for Le Petit Bois trail on Ste-Anne Church Point campus.
10.7 Villa acadienne Board of Directors – Deputy Warden Brian Comeau
Nothing new to report.
10.8 Waste Check – Councillor Robert Thibault
CAO Connie Saulnier indicated that Waste Check has made cutbacks to the upcoming budget, with a total of $100,000 reduction of expenses. One position has been eliminated, with a redistribution of duties; Travel and Expense Policies will be changed, with expenses for municipal board members travel (in excess of 2 members per unit) to be covered by the respective municipalities instead of assumed by Waste Check. Also, if a public representative is appointed by the municipalities, the respective municipality will be responsible for the expenses. CAO Saulnier indicated that Waste Check's budget was not reduced for municipalities.
11) NEW BUSINESS
11.1 Request for Financial Contribution: Digby County Community Energy Trust
The Municipality of Digby has sent a request for a financial contribution towards the development of a Business Plan to establish a Community Energy Trust for Digby County (see attached letter). Warden Ronnie LeBlanc indicated that the Municipality of Clare, Digby and the Town of Digby had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Fundy Tidal Inc. to establish the Digby County Community Energy Trust. He explained that the group is applying for funding through ACOA (in the amount of $26,000) to finance the business plan and are also asking for $1,000 per Municipal Unit involved.
Council discussed and proceeded to the following motion:
MOVED BY Councillor Danny Hill and SECONDED BY Councillor Lester Doucet that the Municipality of Clare provide a financial contribution of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) towards the development of a Business Plan to establish a Community Energy Trust for Digby County, as per the Memorandum of Understanding with Fundy Tidal Inc, the Municipality of Clare, Digby and the Town of Digby.
MOTION CARRIED
11.2 Meteghan River Sewer System Extension – Deputy Warden Brian Comeau
Deputy Warden Brian Comeau discussed the proposed Meteghan River sewer extension project. Deputy Warden Comeau indicated that during his election campaign the sewer extension was an issue.
Council was informed that a public meeting is scheduled for Meteghan River residents, on Wednesday July 23 at 7 pm, at the Community Hall (former Legion) in Saulnierville to discuss the Meteghan River Sewer System Extension project and answer questions.
11.3 Waste Check – changes to Travel Policy and Public Representative
CAO Connie Saulnier requested Councillors' opinion regarding having either 1 public representative and 1 Councillor or 2 Councillors on the Waste Check committee. Council indicated it was best to verify Waste Check's by-law and policies concerning representation before making a decision. Council was informed that other municipalities have 2 members of Council and no public representatives; that the Municipality of Clare is the only municipality with a member from the public. Council indicated it will discuss this issue further, as per Waste Check's by-law and policies.
11.4 Street Banners in Clare – Warden Ronnie LeBlanc
Council was informed that the street banners in Clare sustained major damage due to strong winds during post-tropical storm Arthur on July 5. Many are torn and some missing altogether.
Council discussed and agreed that the Tourism Department along with the Clare Chamber of Commerce should review the street banner program and make a recommendation to Council regarding the future of the program for next year.
11.5 Trees at Clare Golf Course – Councillor Nil Doucet
Again, regarding post-tropical storm Arthur of July 5, Councillor Nil Doucet indicated to Council that numerous trees at the Clare Golf & Country Club sustained major damage due to strong winds. The Golf Club is requesting financial assistance from the Municipality to help with the costs of planting new trees. The cost is approximately $140.00 per tree. Council was informed that the Golf Club has begun fundraising for the tree planting project.
Council discussed and agreed that the Clare Golf Club Board of Directors send a letter of request for Council's review, with details of the project (total cost, number of trees to be planted, etc.). With more information Council will then be able to discuss an amount.
11.6 Transfer Funds To/From Reserves – MOTIONS
CAO Connie Saulnier indicated that inter-fund transfers to and from various accounts were required. She explained each of the transfers. The following motion was made:
MOVED BY Councillor Danny Hill and SECONDED BY Councillor Hector Thibault that the Municipality of the District of Clare make the following inter-fund transfers:
1) Transfer the amount of $22,000.00 from the Operating Reserve Fund to the General Operating Fund to cover a portion of the 2013/2014 Belliveau Cove Wharf Repairs.
2) Transfer the amount of $79,295.80 from the Landfill Reserve Fund to the General Operating Fund to cover costs associated with the 2013/2014 expenses of the Clare Landfill Closure.
3) Transfer the amount of $437,470.55 from the Gas Tax Reserve Fund to the General Operating Fund, and that such funds be used for the repayment of a loan to the Caisse populaire de Clare in the amount of $425,000.00 plus loan interest in the amount of $12,470.55, relating to the construction of the Clare Recycling Plant.
MOTION CARRIED
12) CLOSED SESSION (8:30 pm)
MOVED BY Deputy Warden Brian Comeau and SECONDED BY Councillor Nil Doucet that Council proceed to an In Camera Session.
MOTION CARRIED
Topics discussed:
12.1 Communication – Councillor Robert Thibault
12.2 Sewer Extension Contract
12.3 Organizational Review
MOVED BY Councillor Nil Doucet and SECONDED BY Councillor Danny Hill that Council proceed to the Regular Council Meeting.
MOTION CARRIED
13) DATE AND TIME OF NEXT COUNCIL MEETING
The next Council meeting was scheduled for Wednesday, September 3, 2014 at 7 pm.
14) ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 9:28 p.m. following a motion by Councillor Nil Doucet.
Respectfully submitted by
Jeannette Doucet – Deputy Clerk
JD/cdk