Seulement disponible en anglais pour le moment
Municipality of the District of Clare
COUNCIL-IN-COMMITTEE MEETING
Wednesday, September 4, 2024, at 7:00 pm
Meeting held at 1185 Highway 1, Little Brook
PRESENT: Council: Warden Yvon LeBlanc, Deputy Warden Eric Pothier, Councillors Nil Doucet, Danny Hill, Carl Deveau, Philippe Gaudet, Brian Comeau, and Nadine Comeau
Staff: CAO, Stéphane Cyr, Executive Assistant, Ashley Hanks, Communications Officer, Anique Dugas, Director of Finance, Ginette Cheff
Presenters: Shawn Craven and Dave Doucette – Clare Firefighters Association
ABSENT:
1) Call to Order
The Warden called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.
2) Approval of the Agenda
The CAO asked that the following item be removed from the agenda:
- 7.1 Tender Package 1 – Clare Veterans Centre
MOVED BY Councillor Danny Hill and SECONDED BY Councillor Carl Deveau that the proposed agenda be approved with the above noted revision.
MOTION CARRIED
3) Declaration of Conflict of Interest.
None.
4) Presentations
4.1 Clare Firefighters Association (CFFA) – Dave Doucette and Shawn Craven
Shawn Craven presented the CFFA’s September 4, 2024, report to Council. (
See attached)
Dave Doucette presented the CFFA’s municipal funding request for the purchase of a Honda 1000 cc Forest Unit (side-by-side), including the rationale for said request. (See attached)
Council thanked both Mr. Craven and Mr. Doucette for their presentation and indicated they would review the CFFA’s funding request and due time.
5) Staff Reports
5.1 Financial Update – Ginette Cheff, Director of Finance
The Director of Finance provided an overview of the Municipality’s financial position. (See attached)
The Director of Finance informed Council that an error occurred at the Land Registry Office which resulted in an additional tax bill being issued for a property owner. The Land Registry Office has since been advised of the error. However, to correct this error, the Municipality must write-off the amount in question. Council made the following motion to recommend:
PROPOSED BY Deputy Warden Eric Pothier and SECONDED BY Councillor Carl Deveau that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend writing off $255.94 in municipal property taxes for Assessment Account Number 10995019.
MOTION CARRIED
6) Business Arising from Previous Meetings
6.1 Dangerous and Unsightly – 5192 Highway 1, Salmon River
The property has been cleaned up by the new owner. All previously identified issues have been addressed. The property is no longer in contravention of the Municipality’s Dangerous and Unsightly Premises By-Law. No further municipal action is required.
6.2 Parking Lot, Transport de Clare
In 2023, the Transport de Clare relocated its offices to the St. Bernard Fire Hall. At the time, there was discussion around the Transport de Clare’s need for dedicated parking space behind the building and a commitment was made by the Municipality to assist in this regard. Since then, an invitational tender was issued, and three bids were received for the completion of the necessary parking lot. Following a review of these bids with the Transport de Clare, it is the recommendation of the CAO that Council accept the proposal from Spec Resources Inc. in the amount of $8,735 plus HST. Council agreed and made the following motion to recommend:
PROPOSED BY Councillor Nil Doucet and SECONDED BY Councillor Danny Hill that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend accepting the proposal from Spec Resources Inc. for the construction of a new parking lot for the Transport de Clare, to be located behind the St. Bernard Fire Hall, in the amount of $8,735 plus HST and that these funds be taken from the Municipality’s Capital Reserve.
MOTION CARRIED
7) NEW BUSINESS
7.2 Request for Decision – Dangerous and Unsightly, 3232 Highway 1 Belliveau Cove
The property at 3232 Highway 1 in Belliveau Cove has been deemed dangerous by both the Municipality’s By-Law Enforcement Officer and Building Inspector. Previous efforts to contact the owner asking that it be torn down and cleaned up have gone unanswered. That being the case, and considering the complaints received from the public regarding this property, an invitational tender was issued for its demolition. A total of four bids were received. Following a review of these bids, it is the recommendation of the CAO that the tender be awarded to Ocean Side Excavating Ltd. in the amount of $6,234 plus HST. Council agreed and made the following motion to recommend:
PROPOSED BY Councillor Nil Doucet and SECONDED BY Councillor Carl Deveau that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend accepting the proposal from Ocean Side Excavating Ltd. for the demolition of 3232 Highway 1, Belliveau Cove, in the amount of $6,234 plus HST.
MOTION CARRIED
7.3 Municipality of the District Clare – Comfort Centres and Emergency Shelters
The Municipality has drafted a formal policy pertaining to comfort centres and emergency shelters. The purpose of this policy is to provide both information and clarity regarding the establishment and operation of comfort centres and emergency shelters. The proposed policy closely mirrors the policy adopted and currently employed by the Municipality of Kings REMO and is supported by both the CFFA and the fire departments. Council made the following motion to recommend:
PROPOSED BY Deputy Warden Eric Pothier and SECONDED BY Councillor Carl Deveau that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend approving the Comfort Centres and Emergency Shelters policy as presented.
MOTION CARRIED
7.4 Generator, Hectanooga Firehall
A generator was planned as part of the construction of the new Hectanooga Firehall to allow for both the continuation of fire services and the opening of a comfort centre if required, during a power outage or emergency. To this end, quotes totaling $17,745 plus HST were received for the needed purchase and installation of a Generac generator. Municipal staff was anticipating the launch of a provincial funding program to assist with this purchase. However, in the current absence of such a program and with the winter season quickly approaching, it is the recommendation of both the CAO and staff that Council proceed with the purchase and installation of a generator for the Hectanooga Firehall. Council agreed and made the following motion to recommend:
PROPOSED BY Councillor Danny Hill and SECONDED BY Deputy Warden Eric Pothier that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend proceeding with the purchase and installation of a generator for the Hectanooga Fire Hall in the amount of $17,745 plus HST, as allocated below, and that these funds be taken from the Municipality’s Canada Community-Building Fund Reserve.
- Gittens Electrical Ltd. - $14,895 plus HST
- Spec Resources Inc. - $2,250 plus HST
- Superior Propane - $600 plus HST
MOTION CARRIED
7.5 Crosswalk, Villa d’la Baie
The CAO received a letter from the CEO of the Villa d’la Baie asking for the Municipality’s support for the installation of a crosswalk in front of the Villa d’la Baie, citing resident safety as the impetus for this request. The decision of whether to install a crosswalk lies with NS Public Works. The Department’s internal processes require a letter from the Municipality to initiate the review process. Although there have been previous issues with sidewalks throughout the Municipality which have subsequently resulted in their removal, Council agreed to support the Villa d’la Baie’s request and made the following motion to recommend:
PROPOSED BY Councillor Brian Comeau and SECONDED BY Councillor Carl Deveau that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend sending a letter to the Nova Scotia Department of Public Works inquiring as to the possibility of adding a crosswalk in front of the Villa d’la Baie in Meteghan.
MOTION CARRIED
7.6 Dangerous and Unsightly – 9201 Highway 1, Meteghan River
Councillor Brian Comeau was handed a petition signed by several concerned neighbours / residents regarding the property located at 9201 Highway 1, Meteghan River. More specifically, concerns stem from the unsightly appearance of the property and the keeping of small farm animals on site. The Municipality’s By-Law Enforcement Officer has previously been on site and will continue to monitor the property under the Municipality’s Dangerous and Unsightly Premises By-Law. That said, the keeping of small farm animals is not prohibited in the Municipality’s current Land-Use By-Law and the property owners are in compliance with the setbacks contained in said by-law. It should however be noted that the Municipality is currently undergoing a revision of its Land-Use By-Law and Municipal Planning Strategy which once complete, will better legislate cases such as these.
8) Questions and Comments from the Public
None.
9) Closed Session
PROPOSED BY Councillor Nil Doucet and SECONDED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau that Council proceed to closed session.
MOTION CARRIED
Topics Discussed:
9.1 Acquisition and Sale of Municipal Property
9.2 Personnel Matters
PROPOSED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau and SECONDED BY Councillor Nil Doucet that Council proceed to the Regular Council Meeting.
MOTION CARRIED
10) Date and time of the next Council-in-Committee Meeting
The next Council-in-Committee Meeting will be held on October 2, 2024, at 7:00 pm.
11) Adjournment
PROPOSED BY Councillor Nil Doucet to adjourn the meeting at 10:00 pm.
Submitted by
Ashley Hanks,
Executive Assistant