Municipality of the District of Clare
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
Wednesday, May 18, 2022, at 7:00 pm.
Meeting held at 1185 Highway 1, Little Brook, NS
PRESENT: Council: Warden Yvon LeBlanc; Councillors, Nil Doucet, Danny Hill, Philippe Gaudet, Carl Deveau, Brian Comeau, and Nadine Comeau
Staff: CAO Stéphane Cyr, Executive Assistant, Ashley Hanks, and Communications Officer, Amy Paradis
Presenters:
ABSENT: Deputy Warden Eric Pothier
1) Call to Order
The Warden called the Council meeting to order at 7:00 pm.
2) Approval of the Agenda
The CAO asked that the following items be added to the agenda:
- 9.2 Helene Deveau – Comité du centenaire, St. Alphonse Church
- 9.3 Eve Arsenault – Société des Jeux de l’Acadie
MOVED BY Councillor Danny Hill and SECONDED BY Councillor Carl Deveau that the proposed agenda be approved with the above noted additions.
MOTION CARRIED
3) Declaration of Conflict of Interest
None declared.
4) Presentations
None.
5) Adoption of the Minutes from Previous Council Meetings
5.1 April 20, 2022 – Regular Council Meeting
MOVED BY Councillor Carl Deveau and SECONDED BY Councillor Philippe Gaudet that the minutes of the April 20, 2022, Regular Council Meeting be accepted as presented.
MOTION CARRIED
5.2 May 11, 2022 – Council in Committee Meeting
MOVED BY Councillor Danny Hill and SECONDED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau that the minutes of the May 11, 2022, Council in Committee Meeting be accepted as presented.
MOTION CARRIED
6) Business Arising from Previous Meetings
None.
7) Warden’s Activity Report – Warden Yvon LeBlanc
April 26 – Attended a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Villa Acadienne.
April 27 – Attended a meeting with the doctors of the Clare Health Centre to discuss the proposed expansion of the Centre and review the conceptual plans.
April 28 – Attended the volunteer banquet where we honored our many volunteers, as well as our volunteer of the year, Sophie LeBlanc.
May 3 – Attended a meeting of the Board of Governors of Université Sainte-Anne where we discussed the end of the strike as well as the next steps to finish the semester.
May 4 to 6 – Attended the NSFM Spring Conference. Here, we discussed the new organizational plan for NSFM, as well as a variety of topics of importance to municipalities in Nova Scotia.
May 10 – Attended a meeting of the Société Édifice Sainte-Marie de la Pointe where we discussed the lack of interest in the Request for Proposals to mount a promotional campaign to help with fundraising.
May 13 – Attended a meeting of the Board of Governors of Université Sainte-Anne.
May 13 – Attended the installation of the first bilingual stop sign in the Municipality of Clare. The Honourable Kim Masland, the Honourable Colton LeBlanc, our MLA Ronnie LeBlanc, as well as the students responsible for the project were present for the event.
May 17 – Attended a special meeting of the Villa Acadienne Board of Directors to discuss the hiring process for a new Executive Director.
8) Official Statements from Members of Council
Councillor Nadine Comeau would like to congratulate Eric and Suzanne Pothier on their 30th wedding anniversary, celebrated on May 16, 2022. Council will send them a certificate.
Councillor Carl Deveau congratulated the Little Brook Fire Department on the arrival of their new fire truck.
9) Correspondence
9.1 Pierre Potvin – Vice President, Taxation – BCE & Bell Canada
The CAO read a letter from Pierre Potvin, Vice President of Taxation for BCE & Bell Canada (
See attached)
9.2 Helene Deveau – Comité du centenaire, St. Alphonse Church
The CAO read a letter from Helene Deveau of the Comité du centenaire, St. Alphonse Church. (See attached)
9.3 Eve Arsenault – Société des Jeux de l’Acadie
The CAO read a letter from Eve Arsenault of the Société des Jeux de l’Acadie (See attached)
Council is in favor of submitting a bid to host the finals in 2025. The CAO will speak with community development staff as well as with Jacques Bellefleur of Université Sainte-Anne to coordinate the application process.
10) CAO Report – Chief Administrative Officer – Stéphane Cyr
The CAO presented his report for the month of May 2022. (See attached)
11) Committee Reports
11.1 Building Permits Report – Councillor Danny Hill
Councillor Danny Hill read the building permits report for the month of April.
April 2022
|
Year |
Permits |
Construction Value |
Year to Date |
|
2021 |
33 |
$ 1,881,000 |
$ 33,892,633 |
|
2022 |
32 |
$ 1,946,060 |
$ 4,413,640 |
11.2 Waste Check – Councillor Nadine Comeau
Waste Check held their AGM on May 10, 2022, followed by a regular board meeting.
The following people were elected at the AGM:
Executive Committee
Linda Gregory
Guy Surette
Tyler Pully
Angela Thurber
Gil Dares
Audit and Finance Committee (includes the Executive Committee)
Stéphane Cyr
Human Resource Committee
Gil Dares
Lauren Cussion
Heather Hatfield
Victoria Brooks
Policy Committee
Linda Gregory
Guy Surette
Carl Deveau
Heather Hatfield
At the regular meeting, it was reported that the EPR consultations are complete.
Due to supply chain issues with the green carts, the decision was made to change suppliers to a local company. The two current bin sizes will still be available.
An email was received from the Municipality of Queens saying they would no longer be accepting rope in the garbage. This goes against the current contract. A meeting is being planned to further discuss this issue.
Black bags are slowly being eliminated, starting with private sector. The intention is to eventually move entirely to clear bags.
12) New Business
12.1 Motion to Approve Funding Contribution – Joseph and Marie Dugas Park / Major’s Point
Design plans for the Joseph and Marie Dugas Park and Major’s Point have been developed following extensive consultations with an advisory committee comprised of representatives from the farmers’ market, the art market, the Société historique de la Baie Sainte-Marie, the Belliveau Cove Development Commission, and the Municipality.
Plans for Joseph and Marie Dugas Park are highlighted by the creation of a new 40’ x 120’ market building which will house roughly 18 permanent market stalls (and other temporary stalls), a prep kitchen, accessible washrooms, as well as the Stella Maris replica created by the late Jean Belliveau. With this new, open-concept multi-purpose building, the Municipality hopes to welcome new events to the Park all the while extending the current market season from six months to ten months.
The proposed changes to the Pointe-à-Major site focus on site preservation and authenticity. Design elements include protective measures such as raising the cemetery grounds to ensure proper drainage, replacing the wooden fence with a stone wall, new cladding for the chapel, accessibility improvements, a more defined parking area, and improved landscaping around the monument.
The anticipated costs for this tourism infrastructure project, as included in the capital budget and including the non-rebated portion of the HST, is $1.95M. The proposed funding mix, as recommended by the CAO, is 50% federal, 25% provincial and 25% municipal. In order to complete this project in time for the CMA 2024, staff must commence the funding application process immediately. To do so, the CAO is seeking Council’s approval of the proposed design plans and confirmation of the Municipality’s funding contribution. Council affirmed its support of the design plans as presented and made the following:
MOVED BY Councillor Carl Deveau and SECONDED BY Councillor Danny Hill that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare contribute 25% of the funds required for the proposed redevelopment of the Joseph and Marie Dugas Municipal Park and Major’s Point, as part of the Tourism Public Spaces project, up to a maximum of $487,500 (including the non-refundable portion of HST) conditional on confirmation of balance of funding, and that these funds be taken from the Municipality’s Capital Reserve.
MOTION CARRIED
12.2 Motion to Approve 2022-2023 Capital Budget
The 2022-2023 Capital Budget was discussed in length at the May 11th Council in Committee. (See attached).
Included in the budget is a total of $6,248,473 in project investments for the fiscal year, of which the Municipality’s share is $2,561,246. Specific investments include high-speed Internet, the re-development of the Clare Veterans Centre, Park Joseph and Marie Dugas, the Cape St. Mary Lighthouse Park, and Wentworth Park, as well as continued investments in wastewater infrastructure, sidewalks, the Clare Health Centre, the Transfer Station, and the Havelock Community Centre. Council made the following motion:
MOVED BY Councillor Nil Doucet and SECONDED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare approve the 2022-2023 Capital Budget for the Municipality of the District of Clare as presented.
MOTION CARRIED
12.3 Motion to Approve Policy – Naming of Public Lands and Municipal-Owned Facilities Policy
The CAO presented a draft of this policy to Council in March for its review and consideration. The recommendations put forward at that time have since been incorporated into the policy, which has now also been vetted by the Municipality’s solicitor. Council reviewed the current draft of the policy and made the following motion:
MOVED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau and SECONDED BY Councillor Carl Deveau that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare approve the Naming of Public Lands and Municipal-Owned Facilities Policy as presented.
MOTION CARRIED
12.4 Motion to Approve Funding Contribution – Héritage Saint-Bernard
Jean LeBlanc, President of Héritage Saint-Bernard, presented to Council in January 2022 regarding his group’s efforts to preserve the former St. Bernard Church building and the plans to soon move forward with a feasibility study. Héritage Saint-Bernard is now ready to move forward with said study which it estimates will cost $60,000. Of this amount, $45,000 is being requested from ACOA and $10,000 from the Municipality, with Héritage Saint-Bernard contributing the remaining $5,000. Whereas Council previously approved a similar request ($20,000) for the Société édifice Sainte-Marie de la Pointe, the CAO is recommending Council approve this request. Council agreed and made the following motion:
MOVED BY Councillor Philippe Gaudet and SECONDED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare contribute $10,000 to Héritage Saint-Bernard to aid in the preparation of a feasibility study focusing on alternate uses of the former St. Bernard Church, conditional on confirmation of balance of funding, and that these funds be taken from the Municipality’s Operating Reserve.
MOTION CARRIED
12.5 Motion to Approve 2022-2023 Volunteer Fire Department Capital Funding Expenditures
The CAO presented the proposed capital funding allocations for 2022-2023 for each of the seven fire departments within the Municipality (see attached). The total amount available this year, as generated by the uniform $0.05 area rate, is $190,916. Council agreed with the proposed distribution of funds and made the following motion:
MOVED BY Councillor Danny Hill and SECONDED BY Councillor Nil Doucet that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare approve the 2022-2023 volunteer fire department capital funding expenditures as presented.
MOTION CARRIED
12.6 Motion to Write a Letter of Support – Clare Golf and Country Club
The Clare Golf and Country Club is applying to Sports Nova Scotia for funding to develop programming for junior-aged girls from low-income families. As part of their application, the Club is seeking a letter of support from the Municipality. Council made 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 write a letter to the Clare Golf and Country Club in support of its efforts to develop programming for junior-aged girls from low-income families.
MOTION CARRIED
12.7 Motion to Increase Municipal Credit Card Limit
The current cumulative limit for the Municipal Credit Card is $25,000. According to both the CAO and the Director of Finance, this limit is too low and should be increased to $40,000. Council agreed and made the following motion:
MOVED BY Councillor Nil Doucet and SECONDED BY Councillor Danny Hill that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare increase the municipal credit card limit from $25,000 to $40,000.
MOTION CARRIED
12.8 Motion to Authorise Municipal Credit Card – Director of Community Development, Pam Doucet
In addition to the aforementioned item, the CAO is also recommending that an additional card be issued to the Director of Community Development, with a $5,000 limit, for expenses incurred by the Department. Currently, Community Development staff have been using their personal cards for expenses and are later reimbursed by the Municipality. However, by proceeding in this fashion, the Municipality is unable to reclaim the HST on these expenses. Council agreed with the recommendation and made the following motion:
MOVED BY Councillor Danny Hill and SECONDED BY Councillor Nil Doucet that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare authorize a municipal credit card for the Director of Community Development, Mrs. Pam Doucet, with a maximum limit of $5,000.
MOTION CARRIED
12.9 Motion to Name a Road – Pepperrell Road North
The Municipality has received a request to name a road off the Pepperrell Road. The two properties along this new road are owned by the same individual. The proposed road name is compliant with municipal policy. As such, Council made the following motion:
MOVED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau and SECONDED BY Councillor Carl Deveau 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: Pepperrell Road North
In French: chemin Pepperrell Nord
|
30377745 |
30095251 |
MOTION CARRIED
12.10 Motion to approve Funding Request – Rooted in Clare Garden Club
The Rooted in Clare Garden Club is requesting $500 from the Municipality for fill for their community garden at the Cultural Hub. There is currently $500 remaining under the Municipality’s Grants to Organizations program and according to the CAO, this request would be eligible. Of note, the vegetables grown in this community garden are given freely to seniors and low-income families.
Council agreed to grant the request and made 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 the Rooted in Clare Garden Club’s application to the Municipality’s Grants to Organizations program in the amount of $500.
MOTION CARRIED
12.11 Motion to Approve Sponsorship – Yarmouth Rotary Ribfest.
Paul Comeau of the Yarmouth Rotary Club has approached the Municipalities of both Clare and Argyle to co-sponsor an Acadian Day as part of the Yarmouth Rotary Ribfest, along with Coastal Financial Credit Union. A day sponsorship is $10,000 and Costal Financial has agreed to pay for half ($5,000). Mr. Comeau is asking if the Municipality of Clare and the Municipality of Argyle would each be willing to contribute $2,500 to the event. The Municipality of Argyle has yet to meet to discuss this request. This notwithstanding, the CAO believes the Municipality of Clare should contribute the $2,500 as requested as a show of support for this growing event which attracts patrons from across the region, including Clare. Furthermore, the CAO and Tourism Manager are of the opinion that regional collaborations and/or promotions such as these are important as part of the build-up for the upcoming CMA 2024. Council agreed and made the following motion:
MOVED BY Councillor Philippe Gaudet and SECONDED BY Councillor Danny Hill that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare sponsor the Yarmouth Rotary Ribfest’s Acadian Day in the amount of $2,500 and that these funds be taken from the Municipality’s Operating Reserve.
MOTION CARRIED
13) In Camera Session
None.
14) Date and time of the next Regular Council Meeting
The next Regular Council Meeting will be held on June 15, 2022, at 7:00 pm.
15) Adjournment
MOVED BY Councillor Nil Doucet to adjourn the meeting at 8:20 pm.
Submitted by:
Ashley Hanks
Executive Assistant