Municipality of the District of Clare
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
Wednesday, March 19 , 2014
PRESENT: Council:Warden Ronnie LeBlanc; Deputy Warden Brian Comeau; Councillors: Lester Doucet, Nil Doucet, and Hector Thibault; Staff: CAO Connie Saulnier and Deputy Clerk Jeannette Doucet. Translators: Germaine Comeau and Richard Landry. Camera Operator: Jene Dugas Cottreau.
NOTE: technical problems with the cameras prevented the meeting from being U-streamed.
ABSENT: Councillors Russell Comeau, 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
MOVED BY Deputy Warden Brian Comeau and SECONDED BY Councillor Hector Thibault that the proposed Agenda be approved with the following change:
remove item 11.1 "Staff Issue".
MOTION CARRIED
(b) CONFLICT OF INTEREST DECLARATION
Warden LeBlanc asked for any declarations of conflict of interest from the floor.
NONE DECLARED.
3) PRESENTATIONS
3.1 Digby and Area Affordable & Supportive Housing Group
Bernice Doucet and Denise Vacon of the "Digby and Area Affordable and Supportive Housing Group" gave a presentation to Council on the lack of affordable housing in the Digby County area. The group is requesting that Council advocate for housing and if possible appoint a Councillor on the committee.
Warden Ronnie LeBlanc thanked the group for its presentation.
3.2 Soirée des Dragons: Dave LeBlanc, Conseil de développement économique de la NÉ
Dave LeBlanc, Conseil de développement économique de la NÉ, and Caroline Thériault and Dianne Blinn, Université Sainte-Anne - Business/Entrepreneurs Department, gave a presentation to Council regarding the event "La Soirée des Dragons". They explained that at the event, students from École secondaire de Clare and Université Sainte-Anne will try to impress local business owners with their business ideas (similar to the TV program "Dragons Den"). Councillors were encouraged to attend the event on March 25 (2014) at 7 pm at the Salle Marc-Lescarbot.
Warden Ronnie LeBlanc thanked the group for its presentation.
4) ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES FROM PREVIOUS COUNCIL MEETINGS
4.1 January 15th, 2014 Regular Council Meeting
MOVED BY Councillor Lester Doucet and SECONDED BY Deputy Warden Brian Comeau that Council Meeting minutes of January 15, 2014 be accepted as circulated.
MOTION CARRIED
4.2 February 19th, 2014 Regular Council Meeting
MOVED BY Councillor Nil Doucet and SECONDED BY Deputy Warden Brian Comeau that Council Meeting minutes of February 19, 2014 be accepted as circulated.
MOTION CARRIED
5) BUSINESS ARISING FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS
5.1 Municipal Boundaries Review
Council was informed that Warden Ronnie LeBlanc and CAO Connie Saulnier have discussed the Municipal Boundaries Review process. It was decided that the study be done via an independent review by a consultant/third party which would be engaged to carry out the study/review.
5.2 Request from NS Art Gallery RE. Nelson Surette paintings
A request had been received from the Nova Scotia Art Gallery to borrow the Nelson Surette paintings for an exhibit commemorating the late Mr. Surette's work (exhibit to be held in Yarmouth as of April (2014) and continue for the twelve months). Council discussed and it was suggested that instead of lending the entire collection, that perhaps only lending 1 or 2 paintings. Council decided not to vote on this matter given the fact there were three (3) Councillors absent.
5.3 YASTA Tabled Motion
At the February 19, 2014 Council Meeting, Council had decided to withdraw from Yarmouth and Acadian Shores Tourism Association (the Municipality of Clare has its own Tourism Department and this would enable the Municipality to focus more on municipal tourism projects). At that meeting, a Motion had been made to table the following Motion until the March 19, 2014 Council Meeting.
The Motion was as follows:
MOVED BY Councillor Robert Thibault and SECONDED BY Councillor Hector Thibault that the Municipality of the District of Clare contribute
Twenty Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000) per year for three (3) years (unconditional) to the Yarmouth & Acadian Shores Tourism Association (YASTA).
Larry Peach, Director of Tourism, presented to Council a recommendation regarding the possible $25,000 to YASTA, indicating that the Clare Tourism Department supported a financial partnership with YASTA, with regards to various activities and initiatives related to marketing and product development.
The Motion tabled on February 19, 2014 was brought forward.Council proceed to a vote. The Motion was DEFEATED.
6) WARDEN’S REPORT
Warden Ronnie LeBlanc listed the meetings and events he attended:
- Award presentation for Saint-Mary's Church (Church Point) in Halifax;
- Belliveau Cove Wharf project: photographs with MP Greg Kerr; and
- Conseil de développement économique de Clare regarding immigration.
7) OFFICIAL STATEMENTS FROM THE MEMBERS OF COUNCIL
Council was informed that Dr. Alain Blinn opened a bicycle shop in Saulnierville. Council requested that a letter of congratulations be sent to Dr. Blinn.
8) CORRESPONDENCE
8.1 Daniel Stevenson RE: Installation of electric vehicle charging stations
An email dated February 16, 2014 (copy enclosed) was received from Daniel Stevenson regarding the installation of electric vehicle charging stations in Clare. Council discussed and it was suggested that the request be forwarded to the Clare Economic Development Committee for their review. Council indicated it has no objections to this project and perhaps private businesses would wish to participate.
9) COMMITTEE REPORTS
Warden LeBlanc indicated that the Committee reports will be presented at the next Council meeting given the fact that the U-streaming was not functioning.
10) NEW BUSINESS
10.1 Lifeguard service at Mavillette Beach for 2014 – MOTION
MOVED BY Councillor Nil Doucet and SECONDED BY Deputy Warden Brian Comeau that Council for the Municipality of Clare approve the expenses budgeted by the Recreation Department in the amount of $7,764 to provide Lifeguard Service at Mavillette Beach during Summer 2014, on weekends only, from June 28 to August 24.
MOTION CARRIED
10.2 Disposal Fees at Clare Transfer Station – MOTION
Council had discussed at the previous meeting increasing the disposal fees at the Transfer Station, for residential and commercial waste. After comparing fees of other Municipal Units, 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 increase the tipping fees for Commercial, Industrial and Residential waste disposal as of April 1st 2014 to the following:
For Residential Non-Recyclable Waste, over 400 kg: $100 / metric ton
For Commercial and Industrial Non-Recyclable Waste: $130 / metric ton
For Unsorted Construction and Demolition (C & D) Debris: $130 / metric ton
For Commercial & Industrial Recyclable Waste (blue bags): $130 / metric ton
MOTION CARRIED
10.3 Naming of new road: Chemin du P'tit Puits/Little Well Road – MOTION
Council was provided with a map and a proposed name for a new road in Concessions.
MOVED BY Deputy Warden Brian Comeau and SECONDED BY Councillor Hector Thibault that the Municipality of Clare accept the motion that the official name for a road in Concessions (near Lac d'En Bas) located off of " Charles Road" in District 4 of the Municipality of Clare, in the County of Digby, Nova Scotia, be "Chemin du P'tit Puits" and "Little Well Road" in English.
MOTION CARRIED
10.4 Notice to Connect to Belliveau Cove Sewer – MOTION
At a previous meeting, Council had discussed a complaint that was received regarding a smell of sewer at a property in Belliveau Cove. The home on the property is currently not hooked-up to the Municipal Sewer System. Council proceeded to the following Motion:
MOVED BY Councillor Nil Doucet and SECONDED BY Councillor Lester Doucet that the owner of the property located at civic number 3092 Hwy 1 in Saint Bernard be served with a Notice to Connect to the Public Sewer system by a building service connection in accordance with By-Law No 23 Sewer and that any septic tank, cesspool, privy or other private sewage disposal system of the property be emptied, abandoned and decommissioned by filling it in with suitable material.
MOTION CARRIED
Council agreed to give the homeowner sixty (60) days instead of thirty (30) days indicated in the By-Law, to connect to the sewer.
10.5 Municipal Tax Write-Off – MOTION
Council had discussed at the previous meeting a request for a tax write-off for a property on which the trailer had been removed 2 years prior. Council proceeded to the following Motion:
MOVED BY Councillor Lester Doucet and SECONDED BY Councillor Hector Thibault that Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare
write off the following noted tax amount for the reason described herein.
Account # Amount Year Reason
08530181 $159.12 2013 Trailer no longer on property since 2 years RE: camper at Petit Moulin
MOTION CARRIED
11) DATE AND TIME OF NEXT COUNCIL MEETING
Council was informed that the Volunteers Banquet has been booked for Wednesday, April 16, which would have been the date of the next Council meeting. Council agreed to have the Council meeting on Wednesday, April 23, 2014 at 7 pm was selected.
12) ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 9:10 p.m. following a motion by Councillor Nil Doucet.
Respectfully submitted by
Jeannette Doucet – Deputy Clerk
JD/cdk