Municipality of the District of Clare
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
Wednesday, October 15 , 2014
PRESENT: Council:Warden Ronnie LeBlanc; Deputy Warden Brian Comeau; Councillors:Russell Comeau, Lester Doucet, Nil Doucet, Danny Hill, Hector Thibault
and Robert Thibault; Staff: Chief Administrative Officer Connie Saulnier, andDeputy Clerk Jeannette Doucet.
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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 "Letter of support for the CDÉNÉ" be added to the Agenda (as Item 11.6 under "New Business").
MOVED BY Councillor Robert Thibault and SECONDED BY Councillor Russell Comeau that the proposed Agenda be approved with the addition.
MOTION CARRIED
(b) CONFLICT OF INTEREST DECLARATION
Warden Ronnie LeBlanc asked for any declarations of conflict of interest from
the floor. None declared.
3) PRESENTATIONS
There were no presentations.
4) ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES FROM PREVIOUS COUNCIL MEETINGS
4.1 September 17, 2014 Regular Council Meeting
MOVED BY Councillor Danny Hill and SECONDED BY Councillor Hector Thibault that Council Meeting minutes of September 17, 2014 be accepted as circulated.
MOTION CARRIED
4.2 September 25, 2014 Special Session of Council
MOVED BY Deputy Warden Brian Comeau and SECONDED BY Councillor Russell Comeau that minutes of September 25, 2014 Special Session of Council be accepted as circulated.
MOTION CARRIED
4.3 October 1, 2014 Council-In-Committee Meeting
MOVED BY Councillor Hector Thibault and SECONDED BY Councillor Danny Hill that Council-In-Committee Meeting minutes of October 1, 2014 be accepted as circulated.
MOTION CARRIED
5) BUSINESS ARISING FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS
5.1 Chemin de la Montagne/Mountain Road
Deputy Warden Brian Comeau inquired regarding the Chemin de la Montagne / Mountain Road name change and signage issue. Council was informed that there was no update.
6) WARDEN’S REPORT
Warden Ronnie LeBlanc listed the meetings and events he attended:
- meeting regarding shared services with the Municipality of Digby, the Department of Justice, etc.;
- meeting regarding Highway 101, update;
- telephone conference regarding New Minas Basin;
- meeting regarding WREN;
- The Meadows nursing home Board Meeting;
- meeting with Comité des aînés;
- meeting regarding Aquaculture committee looking for a member of the public.
7) OFFICIAL STATEMENTS FROM THE MEMBERS OF COUNCIL
There were none.
8) CORRESPONDENCE
There was none.
9) C.A.O. Report - Chief Administrative Officer Connie Saulnier
There was none.
10) COMMITTEE REPORTS
10.1 Building Permits Report (2-Year Comparison) – Councillor Danny Hill
Councillor Danny Hill presented the building permits reports for the month
of September, as submitted by the Building Department.
Year Permits Value of Construction
2013 35 $ 883,728.00
2014 22 $1,054,049.00
10.2 Clare Economic Development Committee (CEDC) – Warden LeBlanc
Warden LeBlanc indicated that there was no meeting.
Council will meet on November 12, at 6 pm, for a presentation regarding the EcoPark study.
10.3 Communication Committee – Warden Ronnie LeBlanc
Nothing to report.
10.4 Planning Advisory Committee (PAC) – Councillor Danny Hill
Councillor Danny Hill indicated that the committee continues to move forward with the by-law adoption process: the by-law regarding Improvement & Take-Over of Private Roads has been enacted; 2 other
by-laws (Private Road Maintenance Charges, and Subdivision are being worked on and work on the Watershed Zoning Project continues.
10.5 Recreation Committee – Councillor Nil Doucet
Nothing to report.
10.6 Clare Municipal Tourism Committee – Councillor Robert Thibault
Councillor Lester Doucet pointed out the projects the Tourism Committee is working on, one being a new visitors guide for Clare (for 2015).
Councillor Doucet brought forward a recommendation from the Committee:
that the VIC manager's position be extended for another 2 weeks given the fact there is money in the budget (from other sections) that could be used to pay the salary. Council indicated that it will discuss this issue during the In Camera Session at the conclusion of the Regular Council Meeting.
10.7 Villa acadienne Board of Directors – Deputy Warden Brian Comeau
Nothing to report.
10.8 Waste Check – Councillor Robert Thibault
Nothing to report.
11) NEW BUSINESS
11.1 Five-Year Capital Investment Plan (CIP) – MOTION
The five-year capital investment plan (CIP) was reviewed. Council had discussed
the CIP during the previous Council-In-Committee Meeting.
It was indicated that the CIP has to be presented to the Province, that the projects indicated in the plan can be changed and Council is not committed to the projected years indicated for the project.
Council reviewed CIP and proceeded to the following motion.
MOVED BY Councillor Robert Thibault and SECONDED BY Councillor Danny Hill that the Municipality of Clare approve the following 5-year Capital Investment Plan.
MOTION CARRIED
11.2 Letter of Support RE Tidal Developers and Manufacturers: Tidal Allotment – Warden Ronnie LeBlanc
Warden Ronnie LeBlanc indicated that a request had been received by Minas Energy for a letter of support to be sent to the Department of Energy, with regards to tidal developers and manufacturers applying for increased tidal allotment. Council reviewed the draft letter and proceeded to the following motion:
MOVED BY Councillor Hector Thibault and SECONDED BY Councillor Lester Doucet that the Municipality of Clare send a letter of support to the Department of Energy, with regards to tidal developers and manufacturers applying for increased tidal allotment, as per Minas Energy's request.
MOTION CARRIED
11.3 Letter to Dept of Transportation RE. Culvert at Hilltown Crossroad – Councillor Danny Hill
During the previous Council-In-Committee Meeting, Council had discussed an issue with regards to a culvert at Hilltown Crossroad. Councillor Danny Hill had reported that there was a culvert in Hilltown Crossroad that floods and he was wondering if a larger culvert would help prevent flooding problems. Council discussed and agreed that a letter be sent to the Department of Transportation, with a copy sent to MLA Gordon Wilson.
Council proceeded with the following motion:
MOVED BY Councillor Danny Hill and SECONDED BY Councillor Russell Comeau that the Municipality of Clare send a letter to the Department of Transportation, with a copy sent to MLA Gordon Wilson, with regards to a culvert at Hilltown Crossroad that floods.
MOTION CARRIED
Councillor Russell Comeau added a topic regarding the Department of Transportation
11.3.1 Department of Transportation – Councillor Russell Comeau
Councillor Russell Comeau requested that a letter be sent to the Municipality of Yarmouth thanking them for having sent a letter of support to the Department of Transportation regarding twinning Highway 101. Councillor Comeau indicated that a request had been made from the Committee to twin Highway 101 asking the Municipality of Yarmouth to send a letter.
11.4 By-Law #33: Subdivision – Second and Final READING, and MOTION TO ENACT
Councillor Danny Hill indicated that at last evening's PAC meeting, changes had been made to By-Law #33. As such, the motion was deferred until the by-law is ready for Council's review.
11.5 Provincial/Municipal Fiscal Review – Info Session Thursday Oct. 23 (Yarmouth)
CAO Connie Saulnier indicated that UNSM is holding sessions on the Provincial and Municipal Fiscal Review. There will be a session in Yarmouth on Thursday October 23 (2014) at 10 am until 2 pm. The UNSM is encouraging municipal councillors to attend this session. There are financial provincial changes for municipalities.
11.6 Letter of support for the CDÉNÉ – Warden Ronnie LeBlanc
Warden Ronnie LeBlanc indicated that a request had been received by the Conseil de développement économique de la Nouvelle-Écosse (CDÉNÉ) for a letter of support regarding a project on the economic advancement of Francophones women.
MOVED BY Councillor Nil Doucet and SECONDED BY Councillor Lester Doucet that the Municipality of Clare send a letter of support to the Conseil de développement économique de la Nouvelle-Écosse (CDÉNÉ) regarding a project on the economic advancement of Francophones women.
MOTION CARRIED
12) CLOSED SESSION (7:40 pm)
MOVED BY Councillor Nil Doucet and SECONDED BY Councillor Hector Thibault that Council proceed to an In Camera Session to discuss Tourism Department issues.
MOTION CARRIED
Topic discussed: Tourism Department issues.
MOVED BY Councillor Nil Doucet and SECONDED BY Councillor Russell Comeau that Council proceed to the Regular Council Meeting.
MOTION CARRIED
Councillor Robert Thibault indicated that he would like to add "Highway 101" to the next Council Meeting.
13) DATE AND TIME OF NEXT COUNCIL MEETING
The next Council meeting was scheduled for Wednesday, November 19, 2014 at 7 pm.
14) ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:26 pm following a motion by Councillor Nil Doucet.
Respectfully submitted by
Colette Deveau – Administrative Assistant to the CAO