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Municipality of the District of Clare
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
Wednesday, July 20, 2022, at 7:00 pm.
Meeting held at 1185 Highway 1, Little Brook, NS

PRESENT: Council: Warden Yvon LeBlanc, Deputy Warden Eric Pothier; Councillors, Danny Hill, Carl Deveau, Brian Comeau, and Nadine Comeau
Staff: CAO Stéphane Cyr, Communications Officer, Amy Paradis, and Executive Assistant, Nicole Comeau
Presenters:

ABSENT: Councillor Nil Doucet, and Councillor 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 Danny Hill and SECONDED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau 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 June 15, 2022 – Regular Council Meeting

MOVED BY Councillor Carl Deveau and SECONDED BY Councillor Danny Hill that the minutes of the June 15, 2022, Regular Council Meeting be accepted as presented.
MOTION CARRIED

5.2 July 6, 2022 – Council in Committee Meeting

MOVED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau and SECONDED BY Councillor Brian Comeau that the minutes of the July 6, 2022, Council in Committee Meeting be accepted as presented.
MOTION CARRIED

6) Business Arising from Previous Meetings
6.1 Municipal Boundary Review – C & D Community Design
C & D Community Design forwarded a revised summary of proposed changes to the Municipality’s electoral districts, based on Council feedback. (See attached) An online survey is scheduled to be launched shortly and a public consultation session will follow later this summer.

7) Warden’s Activity Report – Warden Yvon LeBlanc
May 24, 2022 – Attended a regular meeting of the Villa Acadienne Governance Committee.

May 25, 2022 - Attended a meeting with CSAP regional management and the Clare Health Board to discuss food security and nutrition.

May 31, 2022 - Attended a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Conseil de développement économique de la Nouvelle-Écosse (CDÉNÉ).

June 1-6, 2022 - Attended the FCM Annual Conference in Regina, SK.

June 7, 2022 - Attended the official opening of the CMA 2024 offices in Meteghan. 

June 9, 2022 - Attended a meeting of la Société Édifice Sainte-Marie de la Pointe.

June 23, 2022 - Attended a meeting of the Board of Directors of the CDÉNÉ. At this meeting, Allister Surette was appointed President for another term, and I was appointed Vice President, replacing Alfred Poirier of Chéticamp who has retired.

June 25, 2022 - Attended the official opening of Équipe Alphabétisation de la Nouvelle-Écosse’s new offices in Saulnierville.

June 28, 2022 - Attended a regular meeting of the Villa Acadienne Governance Committee.

June 29, 2022 - Attended the graduation ceremony at ESDC.

June 30, 2022 - Attended a meeting of the Clare Veterans Association where I gave an overview of our many municipal projects.

July 1, 2022 - Attended the Canada Day celebration at the Richelieu.

July 18, 2022 - Attended a meeting at the Clare Health Centre with the Minister of Health and Wellness, the Honourable Michelle Thompson, and the Minister of Labour, Skills and Immigration, the Honourable Jill Balser.

8) Official Statements from Members of Council
Council would like to wish a happy 50th wedding anniversary to Louise and Herbert Doucette on July 22, 2022.

9) Correspondence
9.1 Debbie Haight – Secretary, Digby and Area Health Service Charitable Foundation
The CAO read a letter from Debbie Haight, Secretary, Digby and Area Health Service Charitable Foundation. (See attached)

9.2 Hélène Deveau – Présidente, Comité du Centenaire de l’Église St. Alphonse
The CAO read a letter from Hélène Deveau, Présidente, Comité du Centenaire de l’Église St. Alphonse. (See attached)

9.3 Linda Gregory – Warden, Municipality of Digby
The CAO read a letter from Warden Linda Gregory of the Municipality of Digby. (See attached)

10) CAO Report – Chief Administrative Officer – Stéphane Cyr
The CAO presented his report for the month of July 2022. (See attached)

11) Committee Reports
11.1 Building Permits Report – Councillor Danny Hill
Councillor Danny Hill presented the building permits report for the month of June.

June 2022

Year

Permits

Construction Value

Year to Date

2021

34

$ 758,580

$ 36,726,933

2022

48

$ 2,415,600

$ 8,800,820

12)  New Business
12.1 Motion to Approve Funding Contribution - Cape Saint Mary Lighthouse Park
At the July 6, 2022, Council-in-Committee meeting, Pam Doucet, Director of Community Development, made a presentation to Council pertaining to the proposed Cape Saint Mary Lighthouse Park project. As a follow-up to that presentation, Council passed the following motion:

MOVED BY Councillor Danny Hill and SECONDED BY Councillor Carl Deveau that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare contribute 25% of the funds required for the proposed redevelopment of the Cape Saint Mary Lighthouse Park, up to a maximum of $153,184, conditional upon confirmation of balance of funding, and that these funds be taken from the Municipality’s Capital Reserve.
MOTION CARRIED

12.2 Motion to Approve Funding Contribution - Starlight Development Society
Following the Society’s presentation in June 2022, Council was asked to consider a funding contribution similar to the $5,000 contributions made by neighboring municipalities in order to support their activities. Positive comments about Canada-wide interest surrounding the Society and star gazing in particular reinforced Council’s decision to pass the following motion in support of their request.

MOVED BY Councillor Carl Deveau and SECONDED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare make a financial contribution in the amount of $5,000 to the Starlight Development Society.
MOTION CARRIED

12.3 Motion to Appoint Community Representative - Yarmouth Hospital Foundation
The Municipality launched a public Expression of Interest (EOI) in order to gather applications from residents interested in serving on the Yarmouth Hospital Foundation. Following a review of the applications, the CAO recommended Council nominate Rodrigue Lefort as its community representative on the Yarmouth Hospital Foundation. Council agreed and made the following motion:

MOVED BY Councillor Eric Pothier and SECONDED BY Councillor Danny Hill that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare appoint Rodrigue Lefort as its community representative on the Yarmouth Hospital Foundation.
MOTION CARRIED

12.4 Motion to Approve Policy- Abuse Prevention Policy
At the request of its insurance provider, the Municipality is proposing to include an abuse prevention policy as part of its suite of policies. (See Attached) As is the case with its other HR policies, this policy was drafted by Wickwire Holm Barristers and Solicitors, in consultation with the Municipality’s Senior Management Team. Council passed 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 adopt the policy titled “Abuse Prevention Policy”.
MOTION CARRIED

12.5 Motion to Award Tender - Railing at Meteghan Family Park
The Municipality launched an invitational tender to replace the railing in the parking lot / viewing platform at the Meteghan Family Park. A total of 3 bids were received. Following a review of the bids, both the CAO and staff are recommending the tender be awarded to Joe Benjivenni in the amount of $11,625 plus HST. Council agreed and passed the following motion:

MOVED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau and SECONDED BY Councillor Eric Pothier that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare award the tender for the fabrication and installation of an aluminum railing for the parking lot area at the Meteghan Family Park to Joe Benjivenni at the contract price of $11,625 (+HST) and that these funds be taken from the Municipality’s Capital Reserve.
MOTION CARRIED

12.6 Motion to Approve Funding - Cement Dugouts to Hilltown Ball Field
Two cement dugouts currently located at the building site of the new elementary school in Saulnierville were deemed in good condition and offered good value to the repurposed and used at the Hilltown ballfield. New structures would cost approximately $10,000 each. Timing was of the essence to ensure the safe removal of these dugouts. Given the company’s immediate availability and its ability to complete the work safely and efficiently, the CAO is recommending the contract be awarded to Gary Belliveau Construction & Excavation Ltd. in the amount of $6,000 plus HST. Council agreed and passed the following motion:

MOVED BY Councillor Danny Hill and SECONDED BY Councillor Carl Deveau that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare repurpose and transport two cement dugouts, presently located at the site of the new elementary school in Saulnierville, to the Hilltown Ballfield at a cost of $6,000 (+HST) with the work to be completed by Gary Belliveau Construction & Excavation Ltd.
MOTION CARRIED

12.7 Motion to Name a Road - Maple Lane
The proposed road name received 100% approval from the affected landowners and is compliant with the Municipality’s Road Naming Policy. Council passed 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 approve the request to name the road shared by the PIDs (Property Identification Number) listed below, as follows:

In English: Maple Lane
In French: ruelle des Érables

30081624

30369458

30080386

30369441

MOTION CARRIED

12.8 Motion to Award Tender - C & D Site
The Municipality launched an invitational tender for work to be conducted at its C&D Site. A total of 4 bids were received. Following a review of the bids, both the CAO and staff are recommending the tender be awarded to DX Excavating Ltd. in the amount of $5,940 plus HST. Council agreed and passed the following motion:

MOVED BY Councillor Danny Hill and SECONDED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare accept the bid from DX Excavating Ltd. in the amount of $5,940 (+HST) for allowable wood construction debris interment at the Clare Transfer Station.
MOTION CARRIED

12.9 Motion to Approve Purchase - Hand Washing Stations
The Clare Bluegrass Association is requesting funding to assist with the purchase of three hand washing stations. Local rentals are either unavailable or priced out of their budget. After some discussion, it was recommended the Municipality purchase these three units and have them available for events to the community at large. It was further recommended the Municipality’s Covid related funding be used for this purchase as these units are meant to ensure proper hand washing, leading to increased cleanliness and sanitization at events. Council passed 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 purchase three portable hand washing stations to be available for use by the community.
MOTION CARRIED

12.10 Motion to Approve Funding - Paving Cultural Hub
The Municipality was presented with an opportunity to purchase excess mix asphalt from Dexter Construction Company Ltd in the amount of $8,000 plus HST. The purchase price was deeply discounted and deemed excellent value. Council passed 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 purchase excess hot mix asphalt from Dexter Construction Company Limited in the amount of $8,000 (+HST) for placement on a portion of the driveway area at the Cultural Hub and that these funds be taken from the Municipality’s Capital Reserve
MOTION CARRIED

12.11 Motion to Approve Funding – Meteghan Wastewater Treatment Plant
One of the geotubes currently in use at the Meteghan Wastewater Treatment Plant is full and needs to be emptied. Its contents must in turn be truck of site and disposed of properly, in accordance with applicable NS Environment regulations. The cost to complete this task is estimated to be between $8,000 and $10,000. Unfortunately, due to an administrative oversight, this amount was not included in this year’s operating budget. Nevertheless, the work in question must be carried out this fiscal. As such, the CAO is requesting Council approve funding up to $10,000 for this task. Council agreed and passed 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 approve funding, up to a maximum of $10,000, for the necessary emptying of the geotube at the Meteghan Wastewater Treatment Plant, including the proper disposal of its contents.
MOTION CARRIED

13) In camera session

MOVED BY Councillor Carl Deveau and SECONDED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau that Council proceed to an In-Camera Session.
MOTION CARRIED

Topics Discussed:
13.1 Acquisition of Municipal Property
13.2 Contract Negotiations
13.3 Personnel Matters

MOVED BY Councillor Danny Hill and SECONDED BY Councillor Eric Pothier that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare purchase PID 30342141 and 30342133, known as the 2500 Hectanooga Road, Hectanooga, Lot 1 and Lot 2, Digby County, Nova Scotia for $350,000 and that these funds be taken from the Municipality’s Capital Reserve.
MOTION CARRIED

MOVED BY Councillor Carl Deveau and SECONDED BY Councillor Danny Hill that the Municipality of the District of Clare provide housing assistance to Drs. Amanda Glenn and Dylan Engell in the amount of $75,000, given the very limited inventory of adequate rental properties within the Municipality, and that these funds be taken from the Municipality’s Operating Reserve.
MOTION CARRIED

MOVED BY Councillor Carl Deveau and SECONDED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare amend its current refuse collection and disposal services contract with G & N Excavating and Logging Ltd. by increasing the monthly payment amount by 10%, in light of current fuel prices, until such time as diesel falls beneath $1.50 per liter.
MOTION CARRIED

PROPOSED BY Councillor Danny Hill and SECONDED BY Councillor Carl Deveau that Council proceed to the Regular Council Meeting.
MOTION CARRIED

14) Date and time of the next Regular Council Meeting
The next Regular Council Meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 21, 2022, at 7:00 pm.

15) Adjournment

MOVED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau to adjourn the meeting at 9:15 pm.

Submitted by:
Nicole Comeau
Executive Assistant