Municipality of the District of Clare

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

Wednesday, October 18th, 2017 at 7:00 pm

 

PRESENT: Council: Deputy Warden Nil Doucet; Councillors, Hector Thibault, Brian Comeau, Carl Deveau, Eric Pothier and Yvon LeBlanc
Staff: CAO Stéphane Cyr, Administrative Assistant to the CAO Alain Poirier
Public:
ABSENT: Warden Ronnie LeBlanc, Councillor Danny Hill

1) Call to Order

Deputy Warden Nil Doucet called the Council Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

 

2) (a) Approval of the Agenda

The Deputy Warden asked that the following changes be made to the Agenda

-   8.4 - Remove Letter from Colin Fraser, MP West Nova and replace it with 8.4 Letter from Ecole de Danse Helena.
-   8.5 - Letter from Colin Fraser, MP West Nova be added under “Correspondence”
-   8.6 - Letter from Town of Shelburne be added under “Correspondence”
-   8.7 - Email from “Association sentier de Clare Rails to Trails Association” be added under “Correspondence”

MOVED BY Councillor Hector Thibault and SECONDED BY Councillor Yvon LeBlanc that the proposed agenda be approved with the above noted changes.
MOTION CARRIED

(b) Declaration of conflict of interest

Deputy Warden Nil Doucet asked for any declarations of conflict of interest.

None declared.

 

3) Presentations

None

 

4) Adoption of the Minutes from Previous Council Meetings

4.1 September 20th, 2017: Regular Council Meeting

MOVED BY Councillor Eric Pothier and SECONDED BY Councillor Carl Deveau that the minutes of September 20th, 2017 be accepted as circulated.
MOTION CARRIED

4.2 October 4th, 2017: Council-in-Committee Meeting

MOVED BY Councillor Hector Thibault and SECONDED BY Councillor Yvon LeBlanc that the minutes of October 4th, 2017 be accepted as circulated.
MOTION CARRIED

 

5) Business Arising from Previous Meetings

No items

 

6) Warden’s Activity Report – Warden Ronnie LeBlanc

The Deputy Warden provided a summary of the meetings and events attended by the Warden since the last Council meeting.

-   October 2nd - Participated in a training session organized by UNSM focusing on asset management. The session was held in Bridgewater.

-   October 3rd - Attended a meeting of the Harbour Side Lodge Board of Directors in Yarmouth.

-   October 12th - Met with representatives of Doctors Nova Scotia and a national medical magazine at the Clare Health Centre to give an interview about the Centre`s history, and focusing on the planning process and community involvement. Interviews were also conducted with the Centre’s doctors, the Centre Manager and a handful of patients

-   October 13th - Attended a meeting with David Wong and Peter MacLellan from the China Business Bureau of Nova Scotia to follow up on the recent trade mission in China and to discuss next steps.

-   October 16th - Attended a joint session with Councils from both the Municipality of Clare and the Municipality of Digby. The focus of the meeting was do discuss the Trade Mission to China as well as opportunities arising from the mission.

-   October 17th - Participated in a community engagement session organized by Engage Nova Scotia. The session was held at the Meteghan Fire Hall.

-   October 17th - Attended the AGM of “la Société acadienne de Clare” at the Clare Golf and Country Club.

 

7) Official Statements from Members of Council

Councillor Hector Thibault congratulated Trysten & Riley Deveau for their recent participation in the Pan Am Junior Championship in Argentina and asked Council to send a letter of congratulations on behalf of Council to both Trysten and Riley. Councillor Thibault also congratulated Louis et Bernadette Comeau for their 50th wedding anniversary which they celebrated on October 14th. Council will send a certificate to the couple.

 

8) Correspondence

8.1 Letter from the Nova Scotia Department of Municipal Affairs – Honourable, Derek Mombourquette

The CAO read a letter from the Honourable Derek Mombourquette, Minister of Municipal Affairs. (See attached)

8.2 Letter from Digby and Area Affordable & Supportive Housing Group

The CAO read a letter from the Digby and Area Affordable & Supportive Housing Group. (See attached)

8.3 Letter from La Baie en Joie

The CAO read a letter from La Baie en Joie (see attached) and added that the group has contacted him expressing an interest in making a presentation before Council.

8.4 Letter from École de danse Helena

The CAO read a letter from École de danse Helena. (See attached)

8.5 Letter from Colin Fraser, MP West Nova

The CAO read a letter from Colin Fraser, MP West Nova. (See attached)

8.6 Letter from Town of Shelburne

The CAO read a letter from the Town of Shelburne. (See attached)

In response to the letter, Council passed the following motion:

PROPOSED BY Councillor Carl Deveau and SECONDED BY Councillor Hector Thibault that the Municipality of the District of Clare write a letter to the Nova Scotia Health Authority in support of the request made by the Town of Shelburne concerning the placement of a dialysis unit at the Roseway Hospital.
MOTION CARRIED

8.7 Email from the “Association sentier de Clare Rails to Trails Association”

The CAO read a letter from the “Association sentier de Clare Rails to Trails Association”. (See attached)

In response to the letter, Council passed the following motion:

PROPOSED BY Councillor Brian Comeau and SECONDED BY Councillor Carl Deveau that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare write a letter in support of the Association’s request for funding under the Province’s OHV Infrastructure Fund – Trails. The funds in question will be used for required maintenance to the trail bed and to trim overgrown vegetation.
MOTION CARRIED

 

9) CAO Report – Chief Administrative Officer - Stéphane Cyr

The CAO read his report for the months of August and September 2017. (See attached)

 

10) Committee Reports

10.1 Building Permits Report: Councillor Danny Hill

Councillor Brian Comeau read the building permits report for September 2017.

September 2017
Year Permits Construction Value
2016 20 $1,141,363
2017 32 $1,095,385

10.2 Police Advisory Board: Deputy Warden Nil Doucet

The Board met on September 11, 2017. Mr. Daniel Gaudet (originally from Clare) is now stationed in Meteghan and has been appointment to the rank of Sergeant. The Deputy Warden, on behalf of the Police Advisory Board, concluded his report by thanking the former Sergeant, Mr. Jeff Holmes, for his 7 years of service in Clare.

10.3 Wastecheck – Councillor Carl Deveau

The Committee met on October 16, 2017 in Yarmouth. The Committee discussed the subject of green carts and is asking residents to kindly remove their carts from roadside following pickup as soon as possible so as to avoid unnecessary damage. Councillor Deveau also discussed the new model of green carts currently being purchased by Wastecheck. These new carts have a rounded bottom and as such are more durable and easier to clean. Wastecheck is also asking residents who do not wish to receive weekly flyers to kindly contact the distribution company to advise them accordingly.

10.4 South West Nova Biosphere Reserve Association – Councillor Carl Deveau

The Association has been able to retain their UNESCO designation.

Ontario-based TVO filming will translate Season 1 of “Striking Balance” to French with episodes scheduled to be broadcast on CBC Explora in January 2018. Filming for season 2 will start between October 2017 and May 2018. The South West Nova Biosphere Reserve (including Clare) has been chosen for one of these episodes.

 

11) New Business

11.1 Motion to award tender – Repairs to roof at Clare Transfer Station.

MOVED 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 repairs to the roof of the Clare Transfer Station to Delmar Construction Ltd in the amount of $8,900.00 plus HST and that these funds be taken from the Municipality's gas tax reserve.
MOTION CARRIED

11.2 Motion to award tender - Post and Rope Extension, Cape Saint Mary Lighthouse Park.

Based on feedback received from both Council and staff, the decision was made to replace a section of the stone barrier with post and rope. Upon review of the bids received, staff has recommended awarding the contract to Blue Bay Construction Ltd. Council passed the following motion:

MOVED BY Councillor Yvon LeBlanc and SECONDED BY Councillor Eric Pothier that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare award the tender for the Post and Rope Extension at Cape Saint Mary Lighthouse to Blue Bay Construction Ltd. in the amount of $9,100 plus HST.
MOTION CARRIED

11.3 Motion to award a grant to the Upper Clements Park Society.

MOVED BY Councillor Eric Pothier and SECONDED BY Councillor Yvon LeBlanc that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare award a grant of $2,000 to the Upper Clements Park Society for the purchase and installation of bilingual signage.
MOTION CARRIED

11.4 Motion to accept the By-Law Committee’s recommendation regarding By-Law 29, The Improvement and Takeover of Private Roads.

Deputy Warden Nil Doucet asked Councillor Eric Pothier to chair this portion of the meeting so that he could read a letter from his constituents and discuss extending the amortization period from the current 10 years to a maximum of 15 years.

Prior to initiating the process of amending the by-law, Council has asked the CAO to once again price the required work to bring Major Road up to provincial standards. Once the costing complete, the CAO will calculate the cost per resident / land owner of Major Rd. This will in turn be presented to the group for consideration. If the proposed pricing is accepted, Council will move for an amendment of the by-law and ultimately seek to take over the road.

11.5 Motion to purchase a new air filling station for the Clare Fire Fighters Association.

MOVED BY Councillor Carl Deveau and SECONDED BY Councillor Yvon LeBlanc that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare purchase a new air filling station for the Clare Fire Fighters Association in the amount of $7,935.00 + HST.
MOTION CARRIED

11.6 Motion to approve the CDÉNÉ’s funding request.

MOVED BY Councillor Hector Thibault and SECONDED BY Councillor Carl Deveau that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare approve the CDÉNÉ’s request in the amount of $2,500 towards the development of a heritage and cultural tourism circuit of the Acadian regions of Nova Scotia which will eventually be linked to a larger circuit promoting francophone heritage and culture from cities and municipalities across North America.
MOTION CARRIED

11.7 Motion to name a road – Weaver Lane

MOVED BY Councillor Eric Pothier and SECONDED BY Councillor Yvon LeBlanc that the road on the property PID (Property Identification Number) 30008536 be officially named as follows:

In English: Weaver Lane
In French: Allée Weaver

MOTION CARRIED

11.8 Motion to authorize the CAO to sell the assets of the former Comeau Lumber Ltd.

MOVED BY Councillor Yvon LeBlanc and SECONDED BY Councillor Carl Deveau that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare give authority to the CAO to oversee and authorize the sale of assets of the now defunct Comeau Lumber Ltd.
MOTION CARRIED

11.9 Digby and Area Affordable & Supportive Housing Group – UNSM Resolution

The CAO explained that the UNSM has circulated a number of proposed resolutions and was seeking feedback from Councils prior to its 2017 fall conference. At this conference, a decision will be made as to which 2-3 resolutions will be forwarded by the UNSM to the Nova Scotia Department of Municipal Affairs. Knowing this, the Digby and Area Affordable & Supportive Housing Group has asked the Municipality of Clare to pass a motion in support of the resolution regarding affordable housing. Council passed the following motion:

PROPOSED BY Councillor Carl Deveau and SECONDED BY Councillor Yvon LeBlanc that the Council for the Municipality of Clare issue a letter in support of the proposed resolution related to affordable housing, for presentation at the UNSM Conference in November 2017.
MOTION CARRIED

 

12) In Camera Session

PROPOSED BY Councillor Eric Pothier and SECONDED BY Councillor Hector Thibault
that Council proceed to an in-camera session.
MOTION CARRIED

Topics discussed:

-  12.1 Ecoparc

PROPOSED BY Councillor Brian Comeau and SECONDED BY Councillor Eric Pothier 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 November 15th, 2017 at 7:00 pm.

 

14) Adjournment

MOVED BY Councillor Yvon LeBlanc to adjourn the meeting at 8:36 pm.