Municipality of the District of Clare
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
Wednesday, October 18, 2023, at 7:00 pm
Meeting held at 1185 Highway 1, Little Brook, NS

PRESENT: Council: Deputy Warden Eric Pothier; Councillors Nil Doucet, Danny Hill, Philippe Gaudet, Carl Deveau, Brian Comeau, and Nadine Comeau
Staff: CAO Stéphane Cyr, Executive Assistant, Ashley Hanks, Communications Officer, Anique Dugas
Presenters:
ABSENT: Warden Yvon LeBlanc

1) Call to Order
Deputy Warden Eric Pothier called the Council meeting to order at 7:00 pm.

2)  Adoption of the Agenda

MOVED BY Councillor Danny Hill and SECONDED BY Councillor Philippe Gaudet that the proposed agenda be approved as circulated.
MOTION CARRIED          

3) Declaration of conflict of interest
None declared.

4) Presentations
None.

5) Adoption of the Minutes from Previous Council Meetings
5.1 September 27, 2023 – Regular Council Meeting

MOVED BY Councillor Carl Deveau and SECONDED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau that the minutes of the September 27, 2023, Regular Council Meeting be accepted as presented.
MOTION CARRIED

5.2 October 4, 2023 – Council in Committee Meeting

MOVED BY Councillor Danny Hill and SECONDED BY Councillor Philippe Gaudet that the minutes of the October 4, 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
In light of the Warden’s absence, the monthly activity report will be deferred to the next Council meeting.

8) Official Statements from Members of Council
None.

9) Correspondence
None.

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

September 2023

12)  New Business
12.1 Motion to Write a Letter of Support – Far Out Festival
The CAO received an email from Jason Saulnier, President of the Far Out Festival, requesting a letter from Council in support of the organization’s funding application to Canadian Heritage. Council agreed to the request and made the following motion:

MOVED BY Councillor Carl Deveau and SECONDED BY Councillor Danny Hill that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare send a letter of support to the Far Out Festival, as part of their funding application to Canadian Heritage.
MOTION CARRIED

12.2 Motion to Write a Letter of Support – Clare Bluegrass Association
The CAO received a request from Russell LeBlanc, President of the Clare Bluegrass Association, for a letter from Council in support of the organization’s funding application to Canadian Heritage. Council agreed to the request 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 send a letter of support to the Clare Bluegrass Association, as part of their funding application to Canadian Heritage.
MOTION CARRIED

12.3 Motion to Award Tender – Generator and Building for Wastewater Lift Station
The proposed generator and generator building were included as part of the Municipality’s 2023-24 Capital Budget. A total of $80,000 was budgeted. Following issuance of a tender, a total of 3 bids were received. After a review of the bids and given the importance of this lift station to the proper function of the municipal wastewater system in Meteghan (including the New Villa Acadienne), it is the recommendation of both the CAO and staff that Council accept the bid from Corning Electric Ltd. in the amount of $103,713 plus HST. Council agreed 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 accept the proposal from Corning Electric Ltd. for the generator and building for the wastewater lift station, in the amount of $103,713 plus HST, and that these funds be taken from the Municipality’s Canada Community-Building Fund Reserve.
MOTION CARRIED

12.4 Motion to Award Tender – Excavation for Installation of 2” Pressure Line
The above noted tender was launched by the Municipality to enable a new housing project on Peter Dugas Road to connect to the municipal wastewater system. A single bid was received. Following a review of the bid, both the CAO and the Public Works Supervisor are recommending the tender be awarded to Deveau’s Dirtworks Ltd. in the amount of $4,950 plus HST. Council agreed and made the following motion:

MOVED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau and SECONDED BY Councillor Brian Comeau that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare accept the proposal from Deveau’s Dirtworks Ltd. for the excavation and installation of a 2" pressure line, in the amount of $4,950 plus HST, and that these funds be taken from the Municipality’s Canada Community-Building Fund Reserve.
MOTION CARRIED

12.5 Motion to Send a Letter – Minister of Fisheries, Oceans, and the Canadian Coast Guard
In response to the ongoing tensions surrounding the lobster fishery, the 11 municipal units in South West Nova Scotia are proposing a letter be sent jointly to the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans, and the Canadian Coast Guard, the Honourable Diane Lebouthillier. The letter would serve as an invitation to the Minister to meet and engage with local municipal units on this issue, with a particular focus on public safety and economic impacts. Council agreed to the proposed letter and made the following motion:

MOVED BY Councillor Philippe Gaudet and SECONDED BY Councillor Carl Deveau that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare approve the proposed letters to the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans, and the Canadian Coast Guard, the Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, and the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries, Ocean, and the Canadian Coast Guard, Mr. Mike Kelloway, regarding the ongoing lobster dispute in St. Mary’s Bay.
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
13.2 Personnel Matters

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

MOVED BY Councillor Danny Hill and SECONDED BY Councillor Brian Comeau that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare direct the $495,823 received from the NS Department of Municipal Affairs and Housing’s Sustainable Services Growth Fund to the revitalization and modernization of the Clare Veterans Centre.
MOTION CARRIED

14) Date and time of the next Regular Council Meeting
The next Regular Council Meeting will be held on Wednesday, November 15, 2023, at 7:00 pm.

15) Adjournment
MOVED BY Councillor Nil Doucet to adjourn the meeting at 7:55 pm.

Submitted by:
Ashley Hanks
Executive Assistant