Municipality of the District of Clare
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
Wednesday, March 21st, 2018 at 7:00 pm
PRESENT: Council: Warden Ronnie LeBlanc, Deputy Warden Nil Doucet; Councillors, Danny Hill, Hector Thibault, Carl Deveau, Brian Comeau, Eric Pothier and Yvon LeBlanc
Staff: CAO Stéphane Cyr, Communications Officer, Rachel Amirault
Public: Gus Green, Waste Check General Manager; Gino Thibault, WREN Immigration Lead
ABSENT: Administrative Assistant to the CAO, Alain Poirier
1) Call to Order
Warden Ronnie LeBlanc called the Council meeting to order at 7:00 pm.
2) (a) Approval of the Agenda
Warden Ronnie LeBlanc asked that the agenda be approved as presented.
MOVED BY Councillor Danny Hill and SECONDED BY Councillor Hector Thibault that the proposed agenda be approved as presented.
MOTION CARRIED
(b) Declaration of conflict of interest
Warden Ronnie LeBlanc asked for any declarations of conflict of interest.
Councillors Carl Deveau and Eric Pothier declared themselves in a conflict of interest with item 11.1 – Motion to contribute to the 2018 Jeux de l’Acadie Regional Games.
3) Presentations
3.1 Proposed Ban on Plastic Film – Gus Green, Waste Check General Manager
Waste Check’s General Manager, Mr. Gus Green, made a presentation to Council on the Province’s proposed ban on plastic film. (
See attached). As outlined in the presentation, the Province is attempting to gauge municipal support for a ban. Municipal units in support of the ban are asked to pass a resolution to that effect.
Council thanked Mr. Green for his work and indicated they would consider this request at a future meeting.
3.2 Atlantic Immigration Pilot – Gino Thibeault, WREN Immigration Lead
Mr. Gino Thibault made a presentation to Council on the Atlantic Immigration Pilot. (See attached)
4) Adoption of the Minutes from Previous Council Meetings
4.1 February 21st, 2018: Regular Council Meeting
MOVED BY Councillor Yvon LeBlanc and SECONDED BY Councillor Danny Hill that the minutes of February 21st, 2018 be accepted as circulated.
MOTION CARRIED
4.2 March 7th, 2018: Council-in-Committee Meeting
MOVED BY Councillor Danny Hill and SECONDED BY Councillor Carl Deveau that the minutes of March 7th, 2018 be accepted as circulated.
MOTION CARRIED
5) Business Arising from Previous Meetings
5.1 Re-development Project – Belliveau Cove Development Commission
Following a recent presentation to Council, the Belliveau Cove Development Commission is awaiting word from the Municipality as to its request for funding in the amount of $150,000. The project in question involves a total of $672,112 in capital investments to the Joseph and Marie Dugas Park in Belliveau Cove including the construction of an experience centre, lighthouse enhancements, wind break tarps for the gazebo, a pedestrian walkway and bridge, and improvements to the north wharf (rock protection and fill). Although Council has previously expressed an interest in this project, it was not prepared to consider the $150,000 requested by the Commission until such time as the incremental operational costs resulting from this project (and for which the Municipality would ultimately be responsible) have been identified. To this end, staff will continue to work with the Belliveau Cove Development Commission. Once these costs are known, the project will once again be brought before Council for consideration.
6) Warden’s Activity Report – Warden Ronnie LeBlanc
The Warden provided a summary of the meetings and events the he attended since the last Council meeting.
February Travelled to the University of Sherbrooke in Québec with the Warden of the
24th-25th Municipality of Digby, Jimmy MacAlpine and MLA Gordon Wilson to meet with medical students from the region. This is part of the Municipality`s ongoing doctor recruitment strategy.
February 27th Attended a meeting in Yarmouth, organized by Environment and Climate Change Canada to explore the possibility of having a Doppler radar located in Southwest Nova Scotia.
March 13th Attended a meeting of the Harbourside Lodge Board of Directors in Yarmouth.
March 16th Participated in an engagement session organized by the Canada Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board to give municipalities the opportunity to ask questions and to express their concerns regarding BP’s plan to begin exploratory drilling in the Scotian Basin.
March 16th Participated in an interview with CBC to discuss the purchase of Solomon Maillet’s Oath of Allegiance and the importance of this document for the community.
March 21st Attended a community engagement session on affordable housing and safety in Yarmouth.
March 21st Attended a presentation organized by the Campaign to Protect Offshore Nova Scotia to inform participants about the risks related to offshore oil and gas exploration.
7) Official Statements from Members of Council
Councillor Hector Thibault congratulated Tristen Deveau on winning three gold medals at the National Karate Championships and ask that a certificate be prepared and sent to Ms. Deveau in recognition of this accomplishment. Council agreed.
Councillor Thibault also congratulated Denise Thibault who won bronze in the Youth kg category at this same Championship.
Councillor Carl Deveau provided a summary of the meetings and events that he attended since the last meeting.
February 22nd Attended a meeting of the Réseau Santé’s Board of Directors.
February 24th Attended a sledge hockey clinic at Université Sainte-Anne.
March 8th Attended a round table on Public Health
March 19th Attended a meeting of the Waste Check Board of Directors.
March 21st Attended a gathering organized by “La Société acadienne de Clare” in honor of Elaine Thimot and Georgette LeBlanc.
Councillor Deveau also congratulated Yvon and Annette Thibault on their 50th wedding anniversary on February 24th and asked that a certificate be sent on behalf of Council. Council agreed.
8) Correspondence
8.1 Letter from Waste Check – General Manager, Gus Green
The CAO read a letter from Waste Check (See attached). Council referred the proposed Solid Waste By-Law to the By-Law Committee for further evaluation.
8.2 Letter from South Shore Regional Hospital Auxiliary – President, Sharon Ritcey
The CAO read a letter from the South Shore Regional Hospital Auxiliary (See attached).
At Council’s request, the CAO will arrange to meet with representatives of the Auxiliary.
8.3 Letter from the Epilepsy Association of Nova Scotia – Executive Director, Debbi Tobin
The CAO read a letter from the Epilepsy Association of Nova Scotia (See attached).
With respect to the Association’s request for an ambassador, the CAO offered to post the opportunity on the Municipality’s website and Facebook page in an effort to generate awareness.
8.4 Letter from the Employment Opportunities Partnership – Executive Director, Debbie Cook
The CAO read a letter from the Employment Opportunities Partnership – Executive Director, Debbie Cook. (See attached)
Although the intent of this request is certainly admirable, further information is required before it can be considered by Council.
8.5 Email from Peter Evans – Major Point Road
The CAO read an email from Peter Evans – Major Point Road. (See attached)
The CAO will follow-up with Mr. Evans and provide him with the requested information.
9) CAO Report – Chief Administrative Officer - Stéphane Cyr
The CAO read his report for the month of March 2018. (See attached)
10) Committee Reports
10.1 Building Permits Report – Councillor Danny Hill
Councillor Danny Hill read the building permits report for the month of February.
February 2018
Year Permits Construction Value
2017 4 $308,680
2018 4 $88,840
11) New Business
11.1 Motion to Contribute to the 2018 Jeux de l’Acadie Regional Games
On March 7th, the 2018 Jeux de l’Acadie Regional Games committee presented a request to Council for $10,000 in support of the games. Upon review and consideration of this request, Council passed the following motion:
PROPOSED BY Councillor Hector Thibault and SECONDED BY Deputy Warden Nil Doucet that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare contribute $10,000 to the 2018 Jeux de l’Acadie Regional Games.
MOTION CARRIED
11.2 Motion to Register Clare Ground Search and Rescue as an Emergency Services Provider
PROPOSED BY Councillor Carl Deveau and SECONDED BY Councillor Danny Hill that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare register Clare Ground Search and Rescue with the Municipality as an emergency services provider.
MOTION CARRIED
11.3 Motion to Set the 2018-2019 Low Income Property Tax Exemption
PROPOSED BY Councillor Danny Hill and SECONDED BY Councillor Eric Pothier that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare set the 2018-2019 low income property tax exemption amount at $300 for households earning less than $19,000 per annum.
MOTION CARRIED
11.4 Motion to Write a Letter of Support – Société acadienne de Clare
PROPOSED BY Councillor Yvon LeBlanc and SECONDED BY Councillor Hector Thibault that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare write a letter to “La Société acadienne de Clare” in support of their project entitled “Leader d’aujourd’hui et demain”.
MOTION CARRIED
11.5 Motion to Write a letter to the Nova Scotia Department of Municipal Affairs and the Office of Acadian Affairs and Francophonie
PROPOSED BY Councillor Eric Pothier and SECONDED BY Councillor Carl Deveau that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare write a letter to the Nova Scotia Department of Municipal Affairs and Nova Scotia Office of Acadian Affairs and Francophonie requesting a meeting to discuss the recommendations put forward by the Commission on Effective Electoral Representation of Acadians and African Nova Scotians.
MOTION CARRIED
11.6 Invitation – Université Sainte-Anne
Université Sainte-Anne is currently developing a new 5-year strategic plan and has invited Council to a meeting as part of its stakeholder consultation process. Three councillors, the Warden and the CAO will attend. The remaining members of Council are unable to attend due to prior commitments.
12) In Camera Session
PROPOSED BY Deputy Warden Nil Doucet and SECONDED BY Councillor Yvon LeBlanc that Council proceed to an In-Camera Session.
MOTION CARRIED
Topics discussed:
12.1 CAO Evaluation
12.2 St. Bernard Fire Department
PROPOSED BY Deputy Warden Nil Doucet and SECONDED BY Councillor Yvon LeBlanc that Council proceed to the Regular Council Meeting.
MOTION CARRIED
PROPOSED BY Councillor Danny Hill and SECONDED BY Deputy Warden Nil Doucet that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare increase its contribution towards the new St. Bernard Community Centre from the original amount of $168,500 plus HST up to a maximum of $208,711 plus HST, to allow for the purchase and installation of a new propane furnace (including connection costs for the generator and ovens), to be funded from the Municipality’s Gas Tax Reserve.
MOTION CARRIED
13) Date and time of the next Regular Council Meeting
The next Regular Council Meeting will be held on April 18th, 2018 at 7:00 pm.
14) Adjournment
MOVED BY Deputy Warden Nil Doucet to adjourn the meeting at 10:20 pm.
Submitted by:
Rachel Amirault,
Communications Officer