Municipality of the District of Clare
COUNCIL-IN-COMMITTEE MEETING
Wednesday, December 4, 2024, at 7:00 pm
Meeting held at 1185 Highway 1, Little Brook

PRESENT: Council: Warden Yvon LeBlanc, Deputy Warden Eric Pothier, Councillors Réanne Evans, Danny Hill, Réanne Cooper, Carl Deveau, and Nadine Comeau
Staff: CAO, Stéphane Cyr, Executive Assistant, Ashley Hanks, Communications Officer, Anique Dugas, Directors of Finance, Ginette Cheff and Christien Deveau, Recreation Manager, Jessica Martin
Presenters: Paul Deveau
ABSENT: Councillor Brian Comeau

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

2) Approval of the Agenda

MOVED BY Councillor Danny Hill and SECONDED BY Councillor Réanne Evans that the proposed agenda be approved as presented.
MOTION CARRIED

3) Declaration of Conflict of Interest.
Warden LeBlanc declared a conflict of interest with item 7.6 - Motion to Write Off Accumulated Interest – Assessment Account Number (AAN) 05755301.

4) Presentations
4.1 Clare Bluegrass Association – Paul Deveau, Treasurer
Paul Deveau presented an overview of the Clare Bluegrass Festival. (See attached)

The Association is requesting an annual contribution from the Municipality in the range of $10,000 to $20,000, to help offset its operational and/or capital expenditures. 

Council thanked Mr. Deveau for his presentation and committed to taking the Association’s request into consideration.

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)

Council thanked the outgoing Director of Finance, Ginette Cheff, for her years of service and wished her well in her retirement.

5.2 Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Anti-racism (EDIA) Plan – Jessica Martin, Recreation Manager and Anique Dugas, Communications Officer
The Recreation Manager and Communications Officer provided an overview of the progress to date in drafting the Municipality’s EDIA Plan, including the proposed approach and key deliverables. (See attached)

6) Business Arising from Previous Meetings
None.

7) NEW BUSINESS
7.1 Capital Investment Plan (CIP) – 2024-2029

The CAO presented the Municipality’s proposed 5-year Capital Investment Plan (2024-2029) for Council’s review and consideration.

This annual document must be approved via motion of Council and submitted to the Province of Nova Scotia no later then December 19, 2024. The plan itself is subject to change should new project opportunities present themselves or if a decision is made to no longer move forward with a specific project. Council was supportive of the proposed plan and made the following motion to recommend:

PROPOSED BY Councillor Carl Deveau and SECONDED BY Councillor Réanne Cooper that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend accepting the Capital Investment Plan (CIP) 2024-2029 as presented.
MOTION CARRIED

7.2 Request for Decision – Dangerous and Unsightly, 903 Maza Road, Bangor
The property at 903 Maza Road in Bangor has been deemed unsightly by the Municipality’s By-Law Enforcement Officer. Previous efforts to contact the owner asking that it be cleaned up have proven unsuccessful. That being the case, and considering the complaints received from the public regarding this property, the CAO is recommending a tender be issued for its cleanup. Council agreed and made the following motion to recommend:

PROPOSED BY Councillor Carl Deveau and SECONDED BY Warden Yvon LeBlanc that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend issuing a tender for the clean up of 903 Maza Road, including the removal of all debris.
MOTION CARRIED

7.3 Tender – Sale of Events Tent
In compliance with its Disposal of Surplus Asset Policy, the Municipality issued a tender for the sale of its Events Tent. A total of 3 bids were received. Following a review of the bids, it is the recommendation of the CAO that Council accept none of the bids. Rather, it is recommended that the stage be offered to the Far Out Festival at no cost, the gas-powered post driver be offered to the Clare Bluegrass Association at no cost, the aluminum posts be sold for scrap, and the tent canvas be discarded. Council agreed and passed the following motion to recommend:

PROPOSED BY Councillor Réanne Cooper and SECONDED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend disposing of the Municipality’s events tent and accompanying assets in the following manner:

• The stage to be offered to the Far Out Festival at no cost.
• The gas-powered post driver to be offered to the Clare Bluegrass Association at no cost.
• The aluminum posts be sold for scrap.
• The remaining tent canvas be discarded.

MOTION CARRIED

7.4 Tender – Three (3) Portable 1-Basin Stainless Steel Freestanding Utility Sinks
In compliance with its Disposal of Surplus Asset Policy, the Municipality issued a tender for the sale of 3 portable 1-basin stainless steel freestanding utility sinks. At the time of closing, only 1 bid was received. Following a review of the bid and given both the physical space taken up by these sinks as well as a lack of need for these items in the foreseeable future, the CAO is recommending Council accept the bid from Gary Belliveau Construction and Excavation Ltd. in the amount of $600. Council agreed and made the following motion to recommend:

PROPOSED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau and SECONDED BY Councillor Danny Hill that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend accepting the bid from Gary Belliveau Construction and Excavation Ltd. for the Three Portable 1-Basin Stainless Steel Freestanding Utility Sinks in the amount of $600.
MOTION CARRIED

7.5 Letter – Ryan Robicheau, MLA for Clare
The CAO is recommending Council send a letter to Ryan Robicheau, congratulating him on having been elected as the MLA for Clare, wishing him well in his new role, and inviting him to meet with Council in the coming weeks. Council agreed and made the following motion to recommend:

PROPOSED BY Councillor Carl Deveau and SECONDED BY Warden Yvon LeBlanc that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend sending a letter to Ryan Robicheau congratulating him on having been elected as the MLA for Clare, wishing him well in his new role, and inviting him to meet with Council in the coming weeks.
MOTION CARRIED

7.6 Motion to Write Off Accumulated Interest – Assessment Account Number (AAN) 05755301
The CAO informed Council of a longstanding issue with AAN 05755301, caused by advice given to the owner by former municipal employee, resulting in tax arrears and accumulated interest. In an effort to remedy the situation and appease the affected property owner, the CAO is proposing the Municipality write-off the accumulated interest. Council agreed and passed the following motion:

PROPOSED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau and SECONDED BY Councillor Carl Deveau that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend writing off $1,132.95 in accumulated interest charges for Assessment Account Number 05755301.
MOTION CARRIED

7.7 Letter – Warden Nicole Albright, Municipality of Argyle
Following the 2024 municipal elections, Nicole Albright was appointed Warden for the Municipality of Argyle. Whereas Mrs. Albright is the first female Warden for the Municipality of Argyle, the CAO is recommending Council send her a letter in recognition of this achievement. Council agreed and made the following motion to recommend:

PROPOSED BY Councillor Réanne Cooper and SECONDED BY Councillor Réanne Evans that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend sending a letter to Warden Nicole Albright, congratulating her on becoming the first female Warden for the Municipality of Argyle.
MOTION CARRIED

8) Questions and Comments from the Public
None

9) Closed Session
PROPOSED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau and SECONDED BY Warden Yvon LeBlanc that Council proceed to closed session.
MOTION CARRIED

Topics Discussed:
9.1 Contract Negotiations

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

PROPOSED BY Councillor Réanne Evans and SECONDED BY Councillor Réanne Cooper that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend contributing a total of $102,746 over 2 years to the Clare Acadian Tourism Experience Initiative 2025-2027.
MOTION CARRIED

9) Date and time of the next Council-in-Committee Meeting
The next Council-in-Committee Meeting will be held on January 8, 2024, at 7:00 pm.

10) Adjournment
PROPOSED BY Warden Yvon LeBlanc to adjourn the meeting at 9:00 pm.

Submitted by
Ashley Hanks
Executive Assistant