Municipality of the District of Clare
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
Wednesday, November 15, 2023, at 7:00 pm
Meeting held at 1185 Highway 1, Little Brook, NS

PRESENT: Council: Warden Yvon LeBlanc, Deputy Warden Eric Pothier; Councillors Nil Doucet, Philippe Gaudet, Carl Deveau, Brian Comeau, and Nadine Comeau
Staff: CAO Stéphane Cyr, Communications Officer, Anique Dugas
Presenters: None.
ABSENT: Councillor Danny Hill

1) Call to Order
Warden Yvon Leblanc called the Council meeting to order at 7:00 pm

2)  Adoption of the Agenda

The CAO asked that the following additions be made to the agenda:

• 9.4 Amy Paradis - Clare for the Holidays 2023
• 12.8 New President of the Fédération acadienne de la Nouvelle-Écosse (FANE)

MOVED BY Councillor Carl Deveau and SECONDED BY Councillor Philippe Gaudet 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 October 18, 2023 – Regular Council Meeting

MOVED BY Councillor Philippe Gaudet and SECONDED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau that the minutes of the October 18, 2023, Regular Council Meeting be accepted as presented.
MOTION CARRIED

5.2 November 1, 2023 – Council in Committee Meeting

MOVED BY Deputy Warden Eric Pothier and SECONDED BY Councillor Carl Deveau that the minutes of the November 1, 2023, 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

September 29, 2023 – Attended a meeting of the CDÉNÉ audit committee.

October 5, 2023 – Attended a board of directors meeting of the CDÉNÉ.

October 17, 2023 – Attended a special meeting of the CDÉNÉ.

October 18, 2023 – Attended the launch of Équipe Acadie, a networking event sponsored by the Fédération acadienne de la Nouvelle-Écosse (FANE) with the goal of allowing provincial ministers and deputy ministers the opportunity to meet with key stakeholders from Nova Scotia’s Acadian communities.

October 24, 2023 – Attended the board of directors meeting for the Villa Acadienne.

October 25, 2023 – Travelled to Halifax with the CAO to pick up original Nelson Surette paintings that were gifted to the Municipality by a family friend of Mr. Surette.

November 1, 2023 – Conducted an interview on Radio CIFA to speak about the Clare Health Centre.

November 7-10, 2023 – Attended the NSFM Fall Conference with Councillors Nil Doucet and Carl Deveau.

November 11, 2023 – Attended the Remembrance Day ceremony at the Clare Veterans Centre with Councillors Carl Deveau and Philippe Gaudet.

8) Official Statements from Members of Council
Councillor Nadine Comeau would like to congratulate Louise Deveau of St. Alphonse on her 100^th birthday. The following motion was made:

MOVED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau and SECONDED BY Deputy Warden Eric Pothier that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare send a certificate to Louise Deveau congratulating her on her 100^th birthday.
MOTION CARRIED

Councillor Nil Doucet would like to recognize Nathan LeBlanc on having the highest average score across the recent 24-team bowling tournament. Council will send Mr. LeBlanc a certificate to congratulate him on this achievement.

Councillor Carl Deveau would like to recognize Philipe LeBlanc Diesel Repairs in Comeauville for their 50 years in business. He would also like to recognize Philipe’s son who has 40 years of service. Council will send Philip LeBlanc Diesel Repair a certificate congratulating them on their fifty years of service.

9) Correspondence
9.1 The Honourable Tim Houston – Premier of Nova Scotia
The CAO read a letter from the Honourable Tim Houston, Premier of Nova Scotia. (See attached)

9.2 The Honourable John Lohr – Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing
The CAO read a letter from the Honourable John Lohr, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. (See attached)

9.3 The Honourable Tim Houston – Premier of Nova Scotia
The CAO read a letter from the Honourable Tim Houston, Premier of Nova Scotia. (See attached)

9.4 Amy Paradis - Clare for the Holidays 2023
The CAO read an email from Amy Paradis on behalf of the Clare for the Holidays Christmas Meal. (See attached)

10) CAO Report – Chief Administrative Officer – Stéphane Cyr
The CAO presented his report for the month of November. (See attached)

11) Committee Reports
11.1 Building Permits Report – Councillor Nil Doucet
Councillor Nil Doucet read the building permits report for the month of October.

October 2023

Year	Permits	Construction Value	Year to Date
2022	18	$ 519,040	$ 13,939,320
2023	17	$ 334,000	$ 16,657,050

12)  New Business
12.1 Motion to Increase Funding – Track and Field Lighting Project
The Municipality was advised by the University that the Track and Field Lighting Project was experiencing a significant cost overrun. After much discussion between the University and the contractor, both parties agreed to the amount of $100,000 for the incremental work required. Whereas the project is a partnership between the Municipality and the University and given that this field is being used extensively by the community, Council agreed to share in this overage 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 increase its contribution to the Track and Field Lighting Project from $300,000 to $350,000, to allow for the purchase and installation of lighting for the field, and that these funds be taken from the Municipality’s Canada Community-Building Fund Reserve.
MOTION CARRIED

12.2 Motion to Award Tender – Snow Removal from Sidewalks, Salting and/or Sanding
The Snow Removal from Sidewalks, Salting and/or Sanding tender is issued every five years. The current snow removal contract expired October 31, 2023. As such a new tender was issued with a closing date of October 30, 2023. A single bid was received. The bid in question was from the Municipality’s current service provider, Spec Resources Inc. in the mount of $49,500 plus HST, with the price increasing 5% per year over the previous year’s amount, throughout the 5-year duration of the contract. Following the recommendation of the CAO, Council made the following motion:

MOVED BY Deputy Warden Eric Pothier and SECONDED BY Councillor Brian Comeau that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare award the tender for snow removal from sidewalks, salting and/or sanding to Spec Resources Inc. in the amount of $49,500 plus HST, for a five-year contract (2023-2028) with the price increasing 5% per year over the previous year’s amount.
MOTION CARRIED

12.3 Motion to Approve Funding – Transmitter Building, Radio CIFA
Radio CIFA’s transmitter building needs a new roof. The CAOs from Clare and Argyle have been contacted by Lisa Doucette, CIFA’s General Manager, for financial assistance with the needed repairs. Given the importance of the francophone radio station to Clare and Argyle, both CAOs are recommending their respective municipal unit contribute 50% of the costs, up to a maximum of $2,000 each. Based on price quotes received to date, this amount is believed sufficient to cover the entire costs of the repairs. Council agreed and made the following motion:

MOVED BY Councillor Carl Deveau and SECONDED BY Councillor Nil Doucet that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare approve the funding request for a 50% contribution towards the cost of a new roof for Radio CIFA’s transmitter building, up to a maximum of $2,000, and that these funds be taken from the Municipality’s 2023-24 Grants to Organizations funding.
MOTION CARRIED

12.4 Motion to Send a Letter – Nova Scotia Department of Public Works
Councillor Deveau is requesting Council send a letter to the Nova Scotia Department of Public Works requesting a review of the unpaved section of the Second Division Road (between the Saulnierville Road and the Maza Road) be conducted in preparation for future chip sealing and/or paving. Councillor Deveau also requested that MLA Ronnie LeBlanc be copied on the letter. Council agreed 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 send a letter to the Nova Scotia Department of Public Works requesting a review of the unpaved section of Second Division Road (between Saulnierville road and Maza Road) be conducted in preparation for future chip sealing and/or paving.
MOTION CARRIED

12.5 Motion to Send a Letter – Nova Scotia Department of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Municipal Housing Assessment
The Province of Nova Scotia has completed municipal housing assessments for each municipal unit in Nova Scotia, including the Municipality of Clare. The findings in this assessment appear to go counter to the findings and recommended actions contained in the Municipality’s previously completed Housing Action Plan. The CAO is concerned about the content of this provincially led assessment, more specifically its suggestion that there is no need for additional housing in Clare and that there will be a housing surplus starting in 2023. The CAO is also concerned that these same findings may hinder the efforts of private sector developers to secure financial assistance from the Province to develop new housing stock within the Municipality of Clare. As such, the CAO would like Council to send a letter to the Province seeking greater clarity as to the findings of this assessment and highlighting the Municipality’s questions and concerns in terms of current housing supply and future housing development. Council agreed and made the following motion:

MOVED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau and SECONDED BY Councillor Philippe Gaudet that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare send a letter to the Nova Scotia Department of Municipal Affairs and Housing outlining its questions and concerns with the findings of the Department’s Municipal Housing Assessment for the Municipality of Clare.
MOTION CARRIED

12.6 Acadian Cemetery and Chapel – Pointe-a-Major
Staff has been working for some time now with the Société Historique Acadienne de la Baie Sainte-Marie to help source funding for needed enhancements to the Acadian Cemetery and Chapel. The goal of these enhancements is to improve the climate resiliency of the site (which often floods during storm surges and high tides), all the while bettering the functionality and aesthetics of the site. The recently launched Sustainable Communities Challenge Fund seems ideally suited for this project. As such, a pre-screening proposal was submitted and accepted. To meet the deadline of November 28 and move this project forward, the CAO is prepared to continue discussions with the Société Historique Acadienne de la Baie Sainte-Marie but is seeking Council support prior to doing so. Council recognizes the cultural significance of this site and confirmed its support for the proposed improvements.

12.7 Redeployment of Digby – Saint John Ferry
News of the possible redeployment of the Digby – Saint John Ferry by the federal government has generated much public outcry given the potential negative impacts to the fishing and tourism industries. Organizations such as the Nova Scotia Seafood Alliance and the Yarmouth and Area Chamber of Commerce (among others) have been vocal in their opposition to this redeployment. Many of the municipal units in South West Nova Scotia share in this opposition and have written to the Minister of Transport, the Honourable Pablo Rodriguez, to voice their concerns. The CAO is recommending Council do the same. Council agreed and made the following motion:

MOVED BY Deputy Warden Eric Pothier and SECONDED BY Councillor Nil Doucet that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare send a letter to the federal Minister of Transport, the Honourable Pablo Rodriguez, outlining its concerns with the proposed redeployment of the Digby – Saint John ferry.
MOTION CARRIED

12.8 New President of the Fédération acadienne de la Nouvelle-Écosse (FANE)
Ms. Denise Comeau-Desautels has been elected as the new president of the FANE. She is well known by both Council and staff and is an active and engaged member our community. As such, the CAO is recommending Council send a letter to Ms. Comeau-Desautels congratulating her on her new position. Council agreed and made the following motion:

MOVED BY Councillor Brian Comeau and SECONDED BY Councillor Carl Deveau that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare send a letter to Ms. Denise Comeau-Desautels congratulating her on having recently been appointed as the new President of the Fédération acadienne de la Nouvelle-Écosse.
MOTION CARRIED

13) Closed Session

PROPOSED BY Councillor Nil Doucet and SECONDED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau that Council proceed to an In-Camera Session.
MOTION CARRIED

Topics Discussed:
13.1 Contract Negotiations

PROPOSED BY Councillor Nil Doucet and SECONDED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau that Council proceed to the Regular Council Meeting.
MOTION CARRIED

14) Date and time of the next Regular Council Meeting
The next Regular Council Meeting will be held on Wednesday, December 20, 2023, at 7:00 pm.

15) Adjournment
MOVED BY Councillor Carl Deveau to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 pm.

Submitted by: 
Ashley Hanks
Executive Assistant