Municipality of the District of Clare
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
Wednesday, July 20th, 2016 at 7:00 pm
PRESENT: Council: Warden Ronnie LeBlanc, Deputy Warden Brian Comeau; Councillors, Lester Doucet, Nil Doucet, Hector Thibault and Russell Comeau.
Staff: CAO Stéphane Cyr, Administrative Assistant to the CAO, Alain Poirier.
Public: Karen Poulin
ABSENT: Councillors Danny Hill and Robert Thibault
__________________________________________________________________________________
1) Call to order
Warden Ronnie LeBlanc called the Council Meeting to order at 7:00 pm.
2) (a) Approval of the agenda
The Warden asked that the following items be added to the Agenda.
- 8.2 “Letter from Raynald & Karen Poulin” under Correspondence.
- 11.7 “Motion to approve polling locations for 2016 municipal and school board elections” under New Business.
- 11.8 ''Réseau des Villes francophones et francophiles d'Amérique'' under New Business.
MOVED BY Councillor Lester Doucet and SECONDED BY Councillor Hector Thibault that the proposed agenda be approved with the above noted changes.
MOTION CARRIED
(b) Declaration of conflict of interest
Warden Ronnie LeBlanc asked for any declarations of conflict of interest.
None declared
3) Presentations
None.
4) Adoption of the minutes from previous council meetings
4.1 June 22nd, 2016: Regular Council Meeting
MOVED BY Councillor Nil Doucet and SECONDED BY Councillor Lester Doucet that the Minutes of June 22nd, 2016 be accepted as circulated.
MOTION CARRIED
4.2 July 6th, 2016: Council-in-Committee Meeting
MOVED BY Deputy Warden Brian Comeau and SECONDED BY Councillor Lester Doucet that the Minutes of July 6th, 2016 be accepted as circulated.
MOTION CARRIED
5) Business arising from previous meetings
None.
6) Warden’s Activity Report – Warden Ronnie LeBlanc
The Warden provided a summary of the meetings and events he attended since the last Council meeting.
June 23rd UNSM regional meeting to identify and discuss regional priorities.
June 27th Graduation at École secondaire de Clare.
July 1st Delivered a speech at Smuggler`s Cove on Canada Day.
July 5th Meeting in Digby with Gordon Wilson to discuss doctor recruitment.
July 7th Special meeting with the Meadows Board of Directors to revise the governance structure.
July 14th WREN meeting on the subject of rural broadband.
July 18th Meeting in Halifax with the NS Department of Business and John Ferguson`s team (CAO for Annapolis) to discuss the municipal-led approach for Rural Broadband.
July 20th Federal funding announcement at Riverside Lobster
July 20th Meeting with the NSHA and Gordon Wilson in order to discuss the doctor shortage in Weymouth.
The Warden also spoke with the Mayor of Richibouctou, Roger Doiron, in order to discuss the progress to date on the “Réseau des villes francophones et francophiles d’Amériques, more specifically the Atlantic region (or Acadie zone) and the related working committees.
7) Official statements from the members of Council
None.
8) Correspondence
8.1 Thank you letter from Université Sainte-Anne
The CAO read a letter from the President and Vice-Chancellor of Université Sainte-Anne. (
See attached)
8.2 Letter from Raynald & Karen Poulin
The CAO read a letter from Raynald & Karen Poulin regarding the ongoing efforts to improve and take over Major Point Rd. (See attached)
9) CAO Report – Chief Administrative Officer - Stéphane Cyr
10) Committee Reports
10.1 Building Permits Reports: Deputy Warden Brian Comeau
In the absence of Councillor Danny Hill, the Deputy Warden presented the building permits report for the month of June 2016, as submitted by the Building Services Department.
June
Year Permits Construction Value
2015 24 $947,400
2016 25 $490,122
10.2 Planning Advisory Committee: CAO, Stéphane Cyr
The CAO explained that the Planning Advisory Committee met on July 12th regarding watershed protection and potential amendments to the Land Use By-law. The Committee hopes to present its work to Council in September.
10.3 Police Advisory: Councillor Nil Doucet
No report.
10.4 Villa Acadienne: Deputy Brian Comeau
The Board of Directors held its AGM on June 28th. Mr. Marcel Cottreau accepted to continue in his role as Vice-President. The other members of the Board are Councillor Robert Thibault, Councillor Hector Thibault and Warden Ronnie LeBlanc. Mr. Eric Pothier has completed his mandate as President, a position he’s held since 2008.
Also during the AGM, Mr. Paul Comeau from Grant Thornton presented the financial statements for the fiscal year ended March 31st, 2016. The Villa closed fiscal 2015-16 with a surplus. In terms of operations, the Villa owns 85 permanent beds and 1 respite bed, and has over 150 employees. The budget for 2016-17 is $6,775,190. This represents a reduction of $68,400 over 2015-16 levels.
Following the Deputy Warden’s report, Council asked that a letter be drafted thanking Mr. Pothier for his years of service. Council also requested an add be prepared so as to fill the vacancy on the Board stemming from Mr. Pothier`s departure.
10.5 Waste Check: Councillor Robert Thibault
No report.
11) New business
11.1 Mavillette Seniors Club – Letter of support
The Warden was contacted by the Mavillette Seniors Club asking for a letter of support from Council for their funding application to New Horizons. Council passed the following motion:
MOVED BY Councillor Lester Doucet and SECONDED BY Councillor Russell Comeau that Council for the Municipality of Clare write a letter to the Mavillette Seniors Club in support of their renovations project.
MOTION CARRIED
11.2 Motion to purchase property in St. Bernard
The CAO explained that Council held many discussions in camera to finalize the purchase of “The Blue Whale Café” for use as the new St. Bernard Fire Hall and Community Centre. Council approved the purchase of said building but the motion to proceed with the purchase was never recorded. In light of this omission, Council passed the following motion:
MOVED BY Councillor Nil Doucet and SECONDED BY Councillor Russell Comeau that the Municipality of the District of Clare proceed with the purchase of two (2) pieces of Property:
PID 30005599/ANN 00391549, LOT 1-A, located at 3963 Highway 1 in St. Bernard, and
PID 30005607/ANN 06265367 LOT 2-B, located at No 101 Highway in St. Bernard, for the future location of the St. Bernard Fire Department and St. Bernard Community Recreational Centre.
MOTION CARRIED
The Warden and CAO reminded Council that these discussions were held in camera given the sensitive nature of the information being discussed and that this was allowable under the MGA. Furthermore, by purchasing an existing building versus building new, the Municipality expects to save approximately $500,000.
11.3 Motion to transfer funds from the Gas Tax Reserve Fund to the Capital Fund.
The CAO reminded Council that the purchase of “The Blue Whale Café” was to be completed using Gax Tax funds. In order to do so, funds have to be transferred from the Gas Tax Reserve Fund to the Capital Fund. However, as stated in 11.2, a motion to this effect was never recorded. In light of this omission, Council passed the following motion.
MOVED BY Councillor Nil Doucet and SECONDED BY Councillor Hector Thibault that the amount of two hundred and ninety-eight thousand, eight hundred and eighty-five dollars ($298,885.00) be transferred from the Gas Tax Reserve Fund to the Capital Fund for the purpose of purchasing a building and land for the future construction of a Community Recreational Centre in St. Bernard, and that such project is eligible under the Gas Tax Program.
MOTION CARRIED
11.4 Motion to submit the 5-Year Capital Investment Plan
The 5-Year Capital Investment Plan had been presented to Council at the last Council in Committee meeting. As per their request, the CAO confirmed that the Meteghan Sewer Extension was now complete and had been removed from the list. Furthermore, the Cultural Hub project at the old Court House in Comeauville and the renovations to the Church Point Waste Water Treatment plant have since been added to the investment plan. The CAO reminded that this plan can be revised at any time, subject to their approval. Council passed the following motion.
MOVED BY Councillor Hector Thibault and SECONDED BY Councillor Russell Comeau that the Municipality of Clare submit the 5-Year Capital Investment Plan for the fiscal years 2016-17 to 2020-21, as presented to Council on July 20th, 2016.
MOTION CARRIED
11.5 Motion to Award Tenders for Cleanup of Illegal Dumpsites
The CAO mentioned that the Municipality had received two bids in response to the request for proposals for the cleaning of the two illegal dumpsites – Isadore Thibault Road and Felix Road. Upon review of the bids, it was recommended the tender for both sites be awarded to Gary Belliveau Construction & Excavation Ltd. Council passed the following motion:
MOVED BY Councillor Hector Thibault and SECONDED BY Councillor Lester Doucet that the Municipality of the District of Clare award the following two tenders for Cleanup of Illegal Dumpsites at the following locations to the following contractor:
Site 1 – Isadore Thibault Road, Grosses Coques awarded to Gary Belliveau Construction & Excavation Ltd. at a cost of $2,200.00 plus $330.00 HST for a total of $2,530.00
Site 2 – Felix Road, Mavillette awarded to Gary Belliveau Construction & Excavation Ltd. at a cost of $4,900.00 plus $735.00 HST for a total cost of $5,635.00
MOTION CARRIED
11.6 Motion to Transfer Surplus Funds 2015-2016
The CAO expects the Municipality to close the 2015-16 fiscal year in a surplus position and as such, is asking for Council’s approval to transfer these surplus funds to the Capital Reserve. Council passed the following motion.
MOVED BY Deputy Warden Brian Comeau and SECONDED BY Councillor Lester Doucet that any surplus funds in the General Operating Fund, from the fiscal year 2015-2016, be transferred to the Capital Reserve Fund.
MOTION CARRIED
11.7 Motion to approve polling locations for 2016 municipal and school board elections
The CAO explained that this motion is being put forward at the request of the Municipality’s Returning Officer for the purpose of identifying and seeking Council’s approval of the proposed polling locations for the 2016 municipal and school board elections. Council passed the following motion.
MOVED BY Councillor Lester Doucet and SECONDED BY Councillor Russell Comeau that the Municipality of the District of Clare approve the following polling locations for the 2016 Municipal and School Board election to be held on October 15th, 2016.
| Dist | Poll | Address of polling location | |
| 1 | 1 | Club d’age d’or SAINT-BERNARD Golden Age Club | |
| 2 | 2A | Nouveaux horizons des CONCESSIONS New Horizons | |
| 2B | Centre communautaire HAVELOCK Community Centre | ||
| 3 | 3 | Gymnase de l’École Joseph Dugas POINTE de L’ÉGLISE/CHURCH POINT Joseph Dugas School gymnasium | |
| 4 | 4 | Salle des Chevaliers de Colomb COMEAUVILLE Knights of Columbus Hall | |
| 5 | 5 | Centre des anciens combattants SAULNIERVILLE Veterans Centre (former Legion) | |
| 5-Mobile | La Maison au coucher du soleil | Bureau de vote MOBILE Poll | |
| 6 | 6 | Club des Lions de METEGHAN Lions Club | |
| 6-Mobile | Au Logis d’Meteghan et/and Villa Acadienne | Bureau de vote MOBILE Poll | |
| 7 | 7 | Salle des pompiers METEGHAN Fire Hall | |
| 7-Mobile | Foyer Celeste | Bureau de vote MOBILE Poll | |
| 8 | 8 | Salle des pompiers RIVIÈRE-AUX-SAUMONS/SALMON RIVER Fire Hall. |
MOTION CARRIED
11.8 Réseau des Villes francophones et francophiles d’Amérique
Following the inaugural meeting last October, the Réseau was divided into different zones. The Municipality of Clare is part of the Acadie zone. This zone is comprised of New-Brunswick, Nova Scotia, PEI and Newfoundland. The Mayor for Richibouctou, Mr. Roger Doiron, has been appointed as the lead for the zone and in this capacity, has asked the Municipality of Clare to take the lead on the tourism file for Nova Scotia (as it relates to the Réseau`s activities). The Warden asked Council for their thoughts concerning this request given the demands on employee time and municipal resources. Council sees much potential in the Réseau and agreement to assume the lead role of the tourism file as requested.
11.9 Forest Glen Community Center
The Warden explained that at the last Council in Committee meeting, Council passed a motion to recommend a contribution of $3,000 be made to the Forest Glen Community Center to aid with their proposed renovation project. This item was unintentionally excluded from this particular meeting Agenda. Despite the omission, Council agreed to discuss the project and passed the following motion:
PROPOSED BY Councillor Hector Thibault and SECONDED BY Councillor Russell Comeau that Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare grant Three Thousand dollars ($3,000) to the Forest Glen Community Center subject to confirmation of balance of project funding.
MOTION CARRIED
12) Closed Session
PROPOSED BY Councillor Nil Doucet and SECONDED BY Councillor Lester Doucet that the Council proceed to an In Camera Session.
MOTION CARRIED
Topics discussed:
12.1 Inter-municipal Agreement
12.2 Major Point Rd.
PROPOSED BY Councillor Nil Doucet and SECONDED BY Councillor Lester Doucet that Council proceed to the Regular Council Meeting.
MOTION CARRIED
13) Date and time of next Regular Council Meeting
The next Regular Council Meeting will be held on September 21st, 2016 at 7:00 pm.
14) Adjournment
PROPOSED BY Councillor Nil Doucet to adjourn the meeting at 9:06 pm.