Municipality of the District of Clare
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
Wednesday, November 15th, 2017 at 7:00 pm
PRESENT: Council: Warden Ronnie LeBlanc, Deputy Warden Nil Doucet; Councillors, Danny Hill, Hector Thibault, Brian Comeau, Carl Deveau, Eric Pothier and Yvon LeBlanc
Staff: CAO Stéphane Cyr, Administrative Assistant to the CAO Alain Poirier
Public: Erika Rolston, WREN; Adrien Comeau, Relay for Life
ABSENT:
1) Call to Order
Warden Ronnie LeBlanc called the Council Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
2) (a) Approval of the Agenda
The Warden asked that the following item be added to the Agenda
5.1 Audio/Video System, under “Business arising”
MOVED BY Councillor Danny Hill and SECONDED BY Councillor Hector Thibault that the proposed agenda be approved with the above noted addition.
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 Land and Asset Database – Erika Rolston, WREN
Erika Rolston, Economic Development Officer for the Western Regional Enterprise Network (WREN) presented the group’s new Land and Asset Database to Council, including its potential to promote business opportunities in Southwest Nova Scotia. For more information regarding this database, please visit www.westernren.ca
3.2 Relay for Life – Adrien Comeau
Adrien Comeau, Chair of the 2018 Relay for Life, presented statistics regarding the event and explained how funds raised during this event are invested. He then offered Council the opportunity to participate in the Relay by either registering a team or sponsoring the event.
Council was very appreciative of Mr. Comeau’s presentation and indicated they would be registering a team in the 2018 Relay for Life.
4) Adoption of the Minutes from Previous Council Meetings
4.1 October 18th, 2017: Regular Council Meeting
MOVED BY Deputy Warden Nil Doucet and SECONDED BY Councillor Carl Deveau that the minutes of October 18th, 2017 be accepted as circulated.
MOTION CARRIED
4.2 November 1st, 2017: Council-in-Committee Meeting
MOVED BY Councillor Danny Hill and SECONDED BY Councillor Yvon LeBlanc that the minutes of November 1st, 2017 be accepted as circulated.
MOTION CARRIED
5) Business Arising from Previous Meetings
5.1 Audio/Video System
At the CAO’s request, Backman Vidcom quoted additional pieces of equipment to improve the Municipality’s new audio/video system. More specifically, this equipment is comprised of additional translation devices so as allow for a greater number of meeting attendants to make use of the Municipality’s simultaneous translation service. This purchase is consistent with the Municipality’s commitment to linguistic duality and offering its services in both official languages. Also included in this recommended purchase is a 2nd box to control the image for viewers at home. This box is particularly useful during presentations and allows for a better overall viewing experience. Council agreed with the need for these additional pieces of equipment and passed the following motion:
PROPOSED BY Councillor Brian Comeau and SECONDED BY Councillor Danny Hill that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare purchase a new assisted listening device and a remote control to switch video content from video cameras to Pc content, to add to its current Audio/Video System, in the amount of $4,565.02 plus HST.
MOTION CARRIED
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.
October 19th Participated in a meeting of the CDÉNÉ - Employment Services sub-committee at the Louis E. Deveau Entrepreneurship Center.
October 19th Attended a session on the economic advancement of women presented by the CDÉNÉ. The session was held at the Louis E. Deveau Entrepreneurship Center.
October 23rd Participated in a meeting of the Université Sainte-Anne Board of Directors.
November 3rd Participated in a meeting of the Université Sainte-Anne Board of Governors.
November 7th-10th Attended the UNSM Fall Conference in Halifax
November 14th Conducted an interview with CBC News regarding the Municipality’s upcoming boundary review.
7) Official Statements from Members of Council
Councillor Hector Thibault congratulated Riley Deveau for his recent participation at the international karate tournament that was held in Spain. He also congratulated Denise Thibault for her recent participation and medal placement at the Atlantic Karate Championship that was held in Newfoundland on October 8, 2017. Mrs. Thibault also competed at the Soke Cup Tournament in Japan in August 2017. In light of these accomplishments, Councillor Thibault requested Council send a letter of congratulations to both these young athletes.
Councillor Thibault also mentioned that Mr. & Mrs. Louis & Bernadine Comeau wanted to thank Council for the certificate they received from Council in recognition of their 50th wedding anniversary.
8) Correspondence
8.1 Letter from the Belliveau Cove Development Commission – Christiane Thériault, President.
The CAO read a letter from the Belliveau Cove Development Commission – Christiane Thériault, President. (
See attached)
The Commission`s request is currently being reviewed by the Department of Fisheries and Ocean, Small Craft and Harbours.
8.2 Letter from Shine a Light on Woman Abuse Campaign – Lisa Newell-Bain, Juniper House
The CAO read a letter from the Shine a Light on Woman Abuse Campaign – Lisa Newell-Bain, Juniper House. (See attached)
Council agreed to light the Municipal building in purple on December 6th, as requested.
8.3 Letter from Minister of Environment and Climate Change – The Honourable Catherine McKenna
The CAO read a letter from the Minister of Environment and Climate Change – The Honourable Catherine McKenna. (See attached)
9) CAO Report – Chief Administrative Officer - Stéphane Cyr
The CAO read his report for the month of October 2017. (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 October.
October 2017
Year Permits Construction Value
2016 20 $ 573,860
2017 16 $1,034,485
10.2 Board of Governors (Université Sainte-Anne) – Warden Ronnie LeBlanc
Université Sainte-Anne’s Board of Governors met on November 2, 2017. Mr. Allister Surette, Université Sainte-Anne President, gave a presentation on the consultation process for the University’s next strategic plan. The current plan is in effect until the end of 2018 with the new 5-year plan to take effect in 2019 until 2024.
A key piece of the strategic plan is the fundraising campaign. In the actual plan, the goal was to raise 7 million dollars by the end of 2018. To date, 5.8 million has been raised.
Other items of interest include:
- The University will strike a committee to review its policy on bilingualism.
- The Board of Governors passed a motion to adopt a policy regarding risk management.
- A session on governance will be held in Halifax on February 3rd, 2018, for the Board of Governors, prior to its meeting on the same day.
10.3 Western Counties Regional Library – Councillor Carl Deveau
The Western Counties Regional Library Committee is comprised of representatives from 10 municipal units, from Shelburne to Westport. The head office is located at the Yarmouth library. The Western Counties Regional Library is a non-profit organization and operates on a breakeven basis. Expenditures totalling $1,637,829 were incurred in fiscal 2016-2017. The Clare branch currently has 1,001 members and is always looking to grow its membership.
11) New Business
11.1 Motion to award contract for Parking Lot, Cultural Hub
The ongoing project at the Cultural Hub (old Comeauville school) includes a new parking lot behind the building. Invitational tenders were sent out. Upon review of the submissions, staff is recommending Council accept the tender from Spec Resources Inc. in the amount of $8,625.00 plus HST. Council passed the following motion:
PROPOSED BY Councillor Hector Thibault and SECONDED BY Councillor Carl Deveau that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare award the tender for the parking lot at the old Comeauville school building (CIFA) to Spec Resources Inc. in the amount of $8,625.00 plus HST.
MOTION CARRIED
11.2 Motion to award contract for Septic System, Cultural Hub
A new septic system was required for the Cultural Hub (old Comeauville school) given the increased usage of the building. Invitational tenders were sent out. Upon review of the submissions, staff is recommending Council accept the tender from C.F. Keizer’s Mini Excavating and Trucking Ltd. in the amount of $9,141.00 plus HST. Council passed the following motion:
PROPOSED BY Councillor Yvon LeBlanc and SECONDED BY Councillor Danny Hill that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare award the tender for the septic system at the old Comeauville school building (CIFA) to C.F. Keizer`s Mini Excavating and Trucking Ltd. in the amount of $9,141.00 plus HST.
MOTION CARRIED
11.3 Motion to award tender – Control Panels (3), Meteghan Lift Stations
The tender for the construction, delivery and commissioning of three new control panels for lift stations in Meteghan is now closed. A total of two submissions were received. Upon review of the submissions, staff is recommending Council accept the tender from the Panel Shop Inc. in the amount of $65,347.00 plus HST. Council passed the following motion:
PROPOSED BY Councillor Danny Hill and SECONDED BY Councillor Eric Pothier that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare award the tender for the construction, delivery and commissioning of three lift station electrical panels to the Panel Shop Inc. in the amount of $65,347.00 plus HST.
MOTION CARRIED
11.4 Motion to approve 5-year Capital Plan
At the November 2, 2017 Council-in-Committee meeting, a draft copy of the Municipality’s 5-year Capital Plan was presented to Council for its consideration. The plan has since been revised, at Council’s request, to better reflect project priorities. (See attached) The CAO explained that this plan is fluid and can be changed at a later date at Council’s discretion. Council reviewed the plan and passed the following motion:
PROPOSED BY Councillor Carl Deveau and SECONDED BY Councillor Hector that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare approve and submit the 5-Year Capital Investment Plan for the Fiscal Years 2017/2018 to 2021/2022, as discussed with Council on November 1st, 2017 and presented to Council on November 15th, 2017.
MOTION CARRIED
11.5 Motion to approve a letter of support – Nora Benachour, Université Sainte-Anne
PROPOSED BY Deputy Warden Nil Doucet and SECONDED BY Councillor Danny Hill that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare write a letter to Nora Benachour in support of her research project focusing on water quality testing in lakes throughout Clare.
MOTION CARRIED
11.6 Motion to send a letter to the Nova Scotia Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal regarding paving, Cape Saint Mary Lighthouse.
PROPOSED BY Councillor Yvon LeBlanc 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 Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal indicating that the Cape Saint Mary Lighthouse is now a municipal park and requesting the road and parking lot be paved for use by the Gran Fondo in 2018 onward.
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 Ecoparc
- 12.2 Cultural Hub
PROPOSED BY Deputy Warden Nil Doucet and SECONDED BY Councillor Yvon LeBlanc 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 December 20th, 2017 at 7:00 pm.
14) Adjournment
MOVED BY Councillor Yvon LeBlanc to adjourn the meeting at 9:27pm.