PRESENT: Council: Warden Ronnie LeBlanc, Deputy Warden Nil Doucet, Councillors, Danny Hill, Hector Thibault, Carl Deveau, Eric Pothier and Yvon LeBlanc.

Staff: CAO, Stéphane Cyr; Administrative Assistant to the CAO, Alain Poirier, Director of Finance, Ginette Cheff

Public: Dave Doucette and Aaron Colwell

ABSENT: Councillor Brian Comeau

1) Call to order

Warden Ronnie LeBlanc called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.

2) (a) Approval of the agenda

The Warden asked that the following items be added to the Agenda

-   5.1 Boundary Review Update, under “Business Arising”

-   5.2 Audit Committee, under “Business Arising”

-   6.2 Naming of Road, under “New Business”

-   6.3 Doctor Recruitment, under “New Business”

-   8.1 Cape St. Mary Lighthouse Park, under “Closed Session”

-   8.2 Transport de Clare, under “Closed Session”

MOVED BY Councillor Danny Hill and SECONDED BY Councillor Yvon LeBlanc that the proposed agenda be approved with the above noted additions.

MOTION CARRIED

(b) Declaration of conflict of interest

Warden Ronnie LeBlanc asked for any declarations of conflict of interest.

None declared

3) Presentations

3.1 Bus Transit Presentation – Dave Doucette & Aaron Colwell

Mr. Dave Doucette and Mr. Aaron Colwell delivered a presentation to Council on Kings Transit and the possibilities of extending this bus service to Clare and Yarmouth. The presentation focused on what they saw as an increasing need for this type of service (especially amongst seniors), as well as current ridership, routes and annual operating costs.

Council thanked Mr. Doucette & Mr. Colwell for their presentation and indicated they would take this request under consideration.

4) Staff reports

4.1 Financial Report – Ginette Cheff, Director of Finance

The Director of Finance provided an update on the Municipality`s financial position. (Available at Municipal Office)

5) Business arising from previous meetings

5.1 Boundary Review Update

As of January 3rd, a total of 178 useable electronic surveys have been completed online. A handful of paper surveys have also been completed. In terms of response rate, the goal is to have a minimum of 300 useable surveys. Both print and social media are being actively utilized to promote the survey which will close at midnight on January 14, 2018.

5.2 Audit Committee

The Municipality is seeking a community representative on its audit committee. To this end, an ad was placed in both the Clare Shopper and “Le Courrier” in December inviting interested persons to contact the CAO by December 29, 2017. At the time of closing, no applications had been received. This being the case, two options are now available: 1) Proactively recruit to fill the position or 2) Re-advertise the position in 6 months time. Both Council and staff would prefer to find a qualified candidate in the short term, as opposed to waiting another 6 months.

6) New business

6.1 MGA – Bill No.10

Although not yet proclaimed into law, the CAO provided a brief overview of Bill No.10 with a particular focus on hospitality and expense policies and audit committee operations. In terms of expense tracking for both Council and the CAO, the Municipality’s Finance Department is already recording these expenses and is compliant with the current requirements of the proposed bill.

6.2 Naming of Road – Margo Lake Road

The Municipality has received a request to name a road. Staff has gone through the established process and ensured compliance with the Municipality’s Road Naming Policy. Council passed the following motion to recommend:

PROPOSED BY Deputy Warden Nil Doucet and SECONDED BY Councillor Hector Thibault that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend that the road shared by the properties PID (Property Identification Number) 30022701, 30365670, 30022859, 30205066, 30009823, 30009807, 30009799, 30326656, 30023071, 30201610, 30205165, 30001572, 30001564, 30001499, 30001556 and 30022719 be officially named as follows:

In English: Margot Lake Road

In French: Chemin du Lac Margot

MOTION CARRIED

6.3 Doctor Recruitment

As it does every year, the Municipality once again hosted a supper for medical students from the region. The purpose of this annual practice is both for doctor recruitment and to show these students that the Municipality has a keen interest in their development. In addition to students, the supper is usually attended by the Warden, the CAO, the Manager of the Clare Health Centre and doctors practicing within the Municipality. This year, 4 students attended the supper: Kristen Melanson, Garett Newell, Michel Maillet and Emma LeBlanc

7) Questions and comments from the public

None

8) Closed Session

PROPOSED BY Deputy Warden Nil Doucet and SECONDED BY Councillor Yvon LeBlanc that Council proceed to closed session.

MOTION CARRIED

Topics discussed:

-   8.1 Cape St. Mary Lighthouse Park

-   8.2 Transport de Clare

PROPOSED BY Deputy Warden Nil Doucet and SECONDED BY Councillor Danny Hill that Council proceed to the Regular Council Meeting.

MOTION CARRIED

9) Date and time of next Council-in-Committee Meeting

The next Council-in-Committee Meeting will be held on February 7th, 2018 at 7:00 PM.

10) Adjournment

PROPOSED BY Deputy Warden Nil Doucet to adjourn the meeting at 8:42PM.