Municipality of the District of Clare
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
Wednesday, May 16th, 2018 at 7:00 pm
PRESENT: Council: Warden Ronnie LeBlanc, Deputy Warden Nil Doucet; Councillors, Danny Hill, Carl Deveau, Brian Comeau, Eric Pothier and Yvon LeBlanc
Staff: CAO Stéphane Cyr, Receptionist / Administrative Assistant, Ashley Hanks
Presenter: CDÉNÉ, Francine Thimot & André LeBlanc and from the Digby Harbour Port Association, Edwin Chisholm & Mike Gushue
ABSENT: Administrative Assistant to the CAO, Alain Poirier, Councillor Hector 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 changes be made to the Agenda
11.12 - Letter of Support for the “Société Édifice Sainte-Marie de la Pointe” be added
under “New Business”
12.3 - Rural Internet be added in “Closed Session”
MOVED BY Councillor Danny Hill and SECONDED BY Councillor Yvon LeBlanc that the proposed agenda be approved with the above noted additions.
MOTION CARRIED
(b) Declaration of conflict of interest
Warden Ronnie LeBlanc asked for any declarations of conflict of interest.
None declared
3) Presentations
3.1 CDÉNÉ – Nova Scotia Works – Francine Thimot & André LeBlanc
Mrs. Thimot and Mr. LeBlanc provided an overview of the different programs and services offered by Nova Scotia Works and the CDÉNÉ. (
See attached) Council thanked Mrs. Thimot and Mr. LeBlanc for their presentation.
3.2 Digby Harbour Port Association – Edwin Chisholm & Mike Gushue
Mr. Chisholm and Mr. Gushue provided an overview of the Digby Harbour Port Association’s Business and Infrastructure Plan. This new plan focuses on both expansion and sustainability and calls for $35M in investments over the next 6 years. (See attached) Council acknowledged the importance of the Port of Digby to the region and thanked Mr. Chisholm and Mr. Gushue for their presentation.
4) Adoption of the Minutes from Previous Council Meetings
4.1 April 18th, 2018: Regular Council Meeting
CAO Stéphane Cyr mentioned that a sentence had been omitted in error from section 8.3 and asked that the following sentence be added:
“Following these discussions, a letter will be issued to the Minister of Environment and Climates Change, Catherine McKenna, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier Stephen McNeil outlining the Municipality`s concerns”.
MOVED BY Councillor Hill and SECONDED BY Councillor LeBlanc that the minutes of April 18th, 2018 be accepted with the above noted addition.
MOTION CARRIED
4.2 May 2nd, 2018: Council-in-Committee Meeting
MOVED BY Councillor Yvon Pothier and SECONDED BY Councillor Danny Hill that the minutes of May 2nd, 2018 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 that he attended since the last Council meeting.
April 19th Attended the Municipality of Clare`s 2018 Volunteer Banquet that was held at the Clare Veterans Centre.
April 24th Met with David Wang and Peter MacLellan from the China Business Bureau of Nova Scotia, as well as Mr. Allister Surette from Université Sainte-Anne, to discuss opportunities for partnership and collaboration between the Municipality of Clare and the City of Taicang.
April 26th Attended the NSUARB Public Hearing regarding the Municipality of Clare’s 2018 Boundary Review.
May 3rd Attended a networking session for the elderly organized by the Clare Community Health Council. The event was held at the Clare Golf & Country Club.
May 11th Attended the Université Sainte-Anne Board of Governors meeting.
7) Official Statements from Members of Council
Councillor Carl Deveau provided a summary of the meetings and events that he attended since the last Council meeting.
April 19th Attended the Municipality of Clare’s 2018 Volunteer Banquet that was held at the Clare Veterans Centre.
April 26th Attended the NSUARB Public Hearing regarding the Municipality of Clare’s 2018 Boundary Review.
May 3rd Attended a reception hosted by the Clare Health Board
May 10th-12th Attended the Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities Spring Workshop in Yarmouth.
May 12th Attended the graduation ceremony and reception at Université Sainte-Anne.
Councillor Deveau congratulated Omer & Bernadette Blinn on their upcoming 60th wedding anniversary (May 24th, 2018) and asked that a congratulatory certificate be sent to them on behalf of Council.
Councillor Yvon LeBlanc congratulated James & Anne Theriault on their upcoming 50th wedding anniversary (May 18th, 2018). He also wished a happy birthday to Edmond Thibodeau who will be celebrating is 90th birthday on May 22nd. Councillor LeBlanc also asked that congratulatory certificates be sent on behalf of Council.
8) Correspondence
8.1 Emergency Management Program Evaluation – Andrew Mitton, Nova Scotia EMO
The CAO read a letter from Andrew Mitton, Nova Scotia EMO. (See attached)
After having read the letter, the CAO advised Council that Marc Doucet, EMO Coordinator for the Municipality of Clare, will be resigning from his position effective June 19th, for personal reasons. A letter will be sent to Mr. Doucet thanking him for his efforts in advancing the EMO file.
8.2 Advertising Request – Marie-Claude Rioux, FANE
The CAO read a letter from Marie-Claude Rioux, “La FANE” (See attached)
Whereas la FANE is an important partner of the Municipality on files of strategic importance such as official language minority community rights and effective electoral representation, Council agreed with the CAO’s recommendation to purchase a promotional package valued at $500 in the organization’s upcoming annual report and souvenir booklet.
9) CAO Report – Chief Administrative Officer - Stéphane Cyr
The CAO read his report for the month of May 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 April 2018
April 2018
Year Permits Construction Value
2017 24 $ 560,504
2018 14 $ 375,620
10.2 Highway Committee Report – Councillor Danny Hill
Councillor Danny Hill provided an update on the status of Phase 1 which reaches from the current Highway 101 to the Digby Neck Crossroad. Installation of the ATV bridge is nearly complete and work on the roundabout is slated to commence shortly. Paving will begin later this fall. Funding for Phase 2 of the project has not yet been confirmed.
11) New Business
11.1 Fire Dispatch Services
Fire dispatch services within the Municipality of Clare are currently offered by both Digby and Yarmouth, each offering services to four of the Municipality’s eight fire departments. However, the model employed by Yarmouth is costly and according to the Town must be revised. The Town is proposing to issue an RFP for dispatch services and has invited municipal units currently serviced by Yarmouth to participate in this process. It is widely expected this process will result in a significant increase in costs charged to individual departments. In an effort to explore options, the Municipality contacted Digby Fire Dispatch which later confirmed that they had the capacity and were willing to take on the 4 departments currently serviced by Yarmouth. Costing was comparable to what was currently being charged by Yarmouth and was in keeping with other dispatch services currently operating in Western Nova Scotia (i.e Valley and Bridgewater/Lunenburg). Furthermore, the move to Digby would provide consistency in service in that all of 8 of the Municipality’s fire departments would be serviced by the same local dispatch. Council agreed with the proposed transition to Digby. The CAO will continue his discussions with the CFFA and affected fire departments in an effort to facilitate the transition process.
11.2 Bursary – Cultural Exchange, City of Taicang
In discussions with David Wang regarding a possible cultural exchange with the City of Taicang, the idea of the Municipality offering a scholarship to a deserving student wanting to spend a semester studying in Taicang was brought up. Council appeared in favor of the idea and welcomed further discussions on the subject once more details were known.
11.3 Motion to write a Letter to the Mayor of the City of Taicang
PROPOSED BY Councillor Nil Doucet and SECONDED BY Councillor Danny Hill that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare write a letter to the Mayor of the City of Taicang to authorize the visit of students from Taicang to Clare in July 2018.
MOTION CARRIED
11.4 Motion to increase the contribution for the Lost to the Sea Monument
PROPOSED BY Councillor Yvon LeBlanc and SECONDED BY Councillor Carl Deveau that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare increase its contribution for the Lost to the Sea monument from $15,000 to $25,000 and that these funds be taken from the Capital Reserve.
MOTION CARRIED
11.5 Motion to adopt the new Proclamation Policy
PROPOSED BY Councillor Danny Hill and SECONDED BY Councillor Yvon LeBlanc that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare adopt the new Proclamation Policy as presented.
MOTION CARRIED
11.6 Motion to pass a resolution in support of the government of Nova Scotia`s effort to implement a province-wide ban on single use of plastic bags.
PROPOSED BY Councillor Carl Deveau and SECONDED BY Councillor Yvon LeBlanc that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare pass the Resolution in Support of the Government of Nova Scotia`s effort to implement a province-wide ban on single use plastic bags, as presented.
MOTION CARRIED
11.7 Motion to award a grant to the High C’s Choral Festival
PROPOSED BY Councillor Nil Doucet and SECONDED BY Councillor Danny Hills that Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare award a grant in the amount of $300 to the High C’s Choral Festival.
MOTION CARRIED
11.8 Motion to write-off a total of $5,258.92 in accounts receivable
PROPOSED BY Councillor Eric Pothier and SECONDED BY Councillor Carl Deveau that Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare write-off a total of $5,258.92 in accounts receivable, dating from 2011 to 2017, believed to be uncollectable. This amount can be broken down as follows:
• $4,428.92 in Tipping Fees
• $230.00 in Ad Revenue (Doers & Dreamers)
• $600.00 in Sponsorship Revenue (Interpretive Centre 2011)
MOTION CARRIED
11.9 Motion to use digital maps in all upcoming municipal elections as the official description of the District
PROPOSED BY Councillor Danny Hill and SECONDED BY Councillor Eric Pothier that Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare use digital maps in all upcoming municipal elections as the official description of the District.
MOTION CARRIED
11.10 Motion to name a Road – Maddison Mill Road
PROPOSED BY Councillor Brian Comeau and SECONDED BY Councillor Carl Deveau that the road shared by the properties PID (Property Identification Number) 30019541, 30019392, 30201875, 30020390, 30017036, 30371751, 30018519, 30020598, 30017545, 30022537, 30015291, 30019566, 30019285, 30020309, 30201826, 30019657 and 30019582 be named as follows:
• In English: Maddison Mill Road
• In French: Chemin du Moulin Maddison
MOTION CARRIED
11.11 Motion to award the Tender for the repairs at 795 Highway 1 Comeauville (Cultural Hub)
PROPOSED BY Councillor Eric Pothier and SECONDED BY Councillor Carl Deveau that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare award the tender for the repairs at 795 Highway 1 Comeauville (Cultural Hub) to Mellor & Saulnier Contracting Ltd. in the amount of $60,500 plus HST, to be funded from the Municipality’s Capital Reserve.
MOTION CARRIED
11.12 Support for the “Société Édifice Sainte-Marie de la Pointe”
“La Société Édifice Sainte-Marie de la Pointe” is in discussion with the diocese to take over ownership of Sainte-Marie`s Church in order to ensure its preservation and position it as a monument to Acadians (effectively ceasing its operations as a church). The Society has approached both the Municipality and Université Sainte-Anne for letters in support of their efforts. The University has already issued its letter of support. Council passed the following motion:
PROPOSED BY Councillor Eric Pothier and SECONDED BY Councillor Danny Hill that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare write a letter of support to the diocese, outlining its support towards the effort of the Society to change the status of the Sainte-Marie`s Church from a church to a museum / monument dedicated to the Acadians.
MOTION CARRIED
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 Clare Veterans Centre
12.2 Dangerous and Unsightly
12.3 Rural Internet
PROPOSED BY Deputy Warden Nil Doucet 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 June 20th, 2018 at 7:00 pm.
14) Adjournment
MOVED BY Deputy Warden Nil Doucet to adjourn the meeting at 9:27 pm.
Submitted by:
Ashley Hanks,
Receptionist / Administrative Assistant