Municipality of the District of Clare
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
Wednesday, July 19th, 2017 at 7:00 pm
PRESENT: Council: Deputy Warden Nil Doucet; Councillors, Hector Thibault, Danny Hill, Carl Deveau, Eric Pothier and Yvon LeBlanc
Staff: CAO Stéphane Cyr, Communications Officer Rachel Amirault
Public:
ABSENT: Warden Ronnie leBlanc, Councillor Brian Comeau, Administrative Assistant to the CAO Alain Poirier
1) Call to Order
Deputy Warden Nil Doucet called the Council Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
2) (a) Approval of the Agenda
The Deputy Warden asked that the agenda be approved as presented.
MOVED BY Councillor Danny Hill and SECONDED BY Councillor Yvon LeBlanc that the proposed agenda be approved as presented.
MOTION CARRIED
(b) Declaration of conflict of interest
Deputy Warden Nil Doucet asked for any declarations of conflict of interest.
• Councillor Yvon LeBlanc declared a conflict with item 11.11
3) Presentations
3.1 EMO Plan Evaluation Results - Mark Doucet, EMO Coordinator
Mark Doucet presented the EMO Plan evaluation results. (File too large, available at municipal building)
4) Adoption of the Minutes from Previous Council Meetings
4.1 June 21st, 2017: Regular Council Meeting
MOVED BY Councillor Hector Thibault and SECONDED BY Councillor Danny Hill that the Minutes of June 21st, 2017 be accepted as circulated.
MOTION CARRIED
4.2 July 5th, 2017: Council-in-Committee Meeting
MOVED BY Councillor Eric Pothier and SECONDED BY Councillor Carl Deveau that the Minutes of July 5th, 2017 be accepted as circulated.
MOTION CARRIED
5) Business Arising from Previous Meetings
5.1 Illegal Dumping Update - John Thibodeau Rd.
The CAO advised Council that the site on the John Thibodeau Road where lobster shells were being dumped has since been cleaned in accordance with Nova Scotia Dept. of Environment guidelines. The owner collaborated fully with department officials and the case is now closed.
5.2 By-Law Committee’s recommendation - Major Point Rd.
The CAO presented the By-Law Committee’s recommendation to Council regarding a request from the residents of Major Point Road to amend the Improvement and Takeover of Private Roads By-law (By-law #29) and subsequently takeover said road. According to By-law #29, the Municipality may consider requests to take over private roads and convert them to public roads; the goal being to offer services (garbage, school bus, snow plowing/removal) and ensure a better quality road.
The committee has consulted with the Tri-County School Board and the CSAP, both of which do not allow school buses to travel raods that do not meet TIR standards. Furthermore, TIR has stated that they are not prepared to maintain private and/or additional government roads at this time due to operational constraints. In light of this information, the by-law committee is recommending:
1. By-law #29 not be amendment and that the requirement to meet TIR standards be maintained;
2. The Municipality not take over the road in light of TIR’s inability to ensure maintenance of private / Municipal roads due to operational constraints. The Municipality (Public Works) does not have the capacity to maintain roads.
Council will further discuss the Committee’s recommendation at the September 2017 Council-In-Committee meeting.
6) Warden’s Activity Report – Warden Ronnie LeBlanc
The Deputy Warden presented a summary of the meetings and events attended by the Warden since the last Council meeting.
June 26 Attended the Harbour Side Lodge AGM in Yarmouth.
June 26 Attended an announcement by Colin Fraser, Member of Parliament for West Nova, providing financial support to six community projects as part of Canada 150, including the $50,000 FRAP project.
June 28 Spoke at the Senior Games Banquet which was held at the Clare Veteran’s Centre.
June 29 Attended the CBDC AGM in Digby.
Deputy Warden Nil Doucet mentioned that he attended the Opening Banquet for the 2017 Future Links Atlantic Championship, at the Clare Golf and Country Club, and said a few words on behalf of Council.
7) Official Statements from Members of Council
Councillor Carl Deveau wished Alfred Joe Comeau and Cecile Belliveau Comeau a happy 50th wedding anniversary (July 15, 2017) and asked that a certificate be presented to the couple on behalf of Council.
8) Correspondance
8.1 Allister Surette - Université Sainte-Anne
The CAO read a letter from Allister Surette – Université Sainte-Anne. (
See attached)
9) CAO Report – Chief Administrative Officer - Stéphane Cyr
10) Committee Reports
10.1 Building Permits Report: Councillor Danny Hill
No report was submitted.
10.2 Villa Acadienne: Councillor Eric Pothier
In the absence of Councillor Brian Comeau, Councillor Eric Pothier provided a report to Council stating that in light of recent cuts by the Province to its operating budget, the Villa is currently in a modest deficit position. Furthermore, regarding a replacement for the Villa, a business plan has been prepared and sent to the Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness for its consideration.
10.3 South West Biosphere Reserve – Councillor Carl Deveau
An open house was held at the new Church Point Lighthouse which forms part of the South West Biosphere Reserve. Guided tours will be offered throughout the summer. Informational panels and displays have been installed throughout the site.
11) New Business
11.1 Motion to award funding - Tri-County Women’s Centre - Housing Needs Assessment
MOVED BY Councillor Danny Hill and SECONDED BY Councillor Carl Deveau that Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare contribute $1,150 to the Tri-County Women’s Centre for the completion of the proposed housing needs assessment.
MOTION CARRIED
11.2 Motion to appoint the SPCA Nova Scotia as the Municipality’s Peace Officer, Animal Control Officer and Pound Keeper
MOVED BY Councillor Eric Pothier and SECONDED BY Councillor Hector Thibault that Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare nominate the SPCA Nova Scotia as the Municipality’s Peace Officer, Animal Control Officer and Pound Keeper in accordance with sections 2(11), 1(14), 9 and 10 of the Municipality’s Dog By-Law.
MOTION CARRIED
11.3 Motion to purchase new audio-video equipment for the Council Chambers
MOVED BY Councillor Hector Thibault and SECONDED BY Councillor Danny Hill that Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare purchase new audio/video equipment for the Council Chambers, from Backman Vidcom in the amount of $55,793.95 + HST.
MOTION CARRIED
11.4 Motion to approve the 2017/2018 Fire Department Capital Funding expenditures
MOVED BY Councillor Yvon LeBlanc and SECONDED BY Councillor Danny Hill that Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare approve the proposed 2017/2018 Fire Department Capital Funding expenditures as presented.
MOTION CARRIED
11.5 Motion to approve the 2017/2018 Fire Department Operational Funding expenditures
MOVED BY Councillor Eric Pothier and SECONDED BY Councillor Hector Thibault that Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare approve the proposed 2017/2018 Fire Department Operational Funding allocations, conditional upon receipt of the department’s 2016 financial statements as requested in the letter to this effect sent on April 25th, 2017.
MOTION CARRIED
11.6 Motion to name the new park at Cape Saint Mary
MOVED BY Councillor Yvon LeBlanc and SECONDED BY Councillor Carl Deveau that Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare officially name the new park at Cape Saint Mary as follows:
• In English: Cape Saint Mary Lighthouse Park
• In French: Parc du phare au Cape Sainte-Marie
MOTION CARRIED
11.7 Motion to award funding - (Knights of Colombus) Clare Colombus Club
MOVED BY Councillor Carl Deveau and SECONDED BY Councillor Eric Pothier that Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare grant the Knights of Colombus 1/3 of the proposed purchase price of a new commercial stove, up to a maximum of $4,000, conditional upon confirmation of balance of funding.
MOTION CARRIED
11.8 Motion to award tender - Exterior Renovations, Cape Saint Mary Lighthouse
MOVED BY Councillor Danny Hill and SECONDED BY Councillor Yvon LeBlanc that Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare award the tender for the Exterior Renovations at Cape Saint Mary Lighthouse to Blue Bay Construction Ltd. in the amount of $27,500.00 plus HST.
MOTION CARRIED
11.9 Motion to award tender - Site improvements, Cape Saint Mary Lighthouse
MOVED BY Councillor Yvon LeBlanc and SECONDED BY Councillor Hector Thibault that Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare award the tender for the Site Improvements at Cape Saint Mary Lighthouse to Blue Bay Construction Ltd. in the amount of $42,000.00 plus HST.
MOTION CARRIED
11.10 Motion to award tender - Interpretive Panels, Cape Saint Mary Lighthouse
MOVED BY Councillor Danny Hill and SECONDED BY Councillor Yvon LeBlanc that Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare award the tender for the Interpretive Panels at Cape Saint Mary Lighthouse to Denise Saulnier Design in the amount of $14,996.25 plus HST.
MOTION CARRIED
11.11 Motion to award tender - Welcome Signage, Cape Saint Mary Lighthouse
MOVED BY Councillor Hector Thibault and SECONDED BY Councillor Eric Pothier that Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare award the tender for the Welcome Signage at Cape Saint Mary Lighthouse to Blue Ridge Signs and Design in the amount of $8,076.00 plus HST.
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 Signage
- 12.2 Trade Mission - Zang-Jia-Gang, China
- 12.3 Richfield Fire Department
- 12.4 Meteghan Sewer Extension Project - John Thibodeau Rd.
PROPOSED BY Councillor Yvon LeBlanc and SECONDED BY Councillor Hector Thibault 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 September 20th, 2017 at 7:00 pm.
14) Adjournment
MOVED BY Councillor Danny Hill to adjourn the meeting at 8:55 pm.