Municipality of the District of Clare
COUNCIL-IN-COMMITTEE MEETING
Wednesday, May 3, 2023, at 7:00 pm
Meeting held at 1185 Highway 1, Little Brook

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

1) Call to Order
Warden Yvon LeBlanc called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.

2) Approval of the Agenda
The CAO asked that the following item be added to the agenda:

• 9.2 Contract Negotiations

MOVED BY Councillor Carl Deveau and SECONDED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau that the proposed agenda be approved with the above noted addition.
MOTION CARRIED

3) Declaration of Conflict of Interest.
None.

4) Presentations
None.

5) Staff Reports  
5.1 Capital Budget 2023-2024 – CAO, Stéphane Cyr
The CAO presented the Municipality’s proposed capital budget for fiscal 2023-2024.

The proposed budget includes a total of $13,155,390 in project investments for the fiscal year. Specific investments include the Clare Health Centre expansion, the re-development of the Clare Veterans Centre, Park Joseph and Marie Dugas, and Wentworth Park, as well as continued investments in wastewater infrastructure, the Transfer Station, and the Cultural Hub.

Council agreed to the draft budget as presented and in order to advance some pressing items, made the following motions to recommend:

PROPOSED BY Councillor Philippe Gaudet and SECONDED BY Councillor Carl Deveau that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend accepting the bid from Clare Seamless Gutters to replace the gutters and downspouts at the municipal office, in the amount of $6,988 (including the non-rebated portion of the HST), and that these funds be taken from the Municipality’s Capital Reserve.
MOTION CARRIED

PROPOSED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau and SECONDED BY Deputy Warden Eric Pothier that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend purchasing the following items for the maintenance of municipal grounds, for a total of $18,146 (including the non-rebated portion of the HST), and that these funds be taken from the Municipality’s Capital Reserve:

• Husqvarna Zero Turn Mower – Leonard C. Comeau General Store Ltd. - $8,030
• Honda Push Mower – Leonard C. Comeau General Store Ltd. - $1,305
• Utility Trailer (6’ x 10’) – Marks RV and Auto Repair Ltd. - $5,161
• Five Composite Garbage Bins – JD Composites Inc. - $3,650

MOTION CARRIED

PROPOSED BY Councillor Carl Deveau and SECONDED BY Councillor Philippe Gaudet that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend rescinding the following motion from November 16, 2022:

PROPOSED BY Councillor Carl Deveau and SECONDED BY Councillor Nil Doucet that Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare increase the municipal contribution to the Track and Field Facility Project from $685,000 to a maximum of $985,000, to allow for the purchase and installation of lighting for the field, and that these funds be taken from the Municipality’s Capital Reserve.
MOTION CARRIED

PROPOSED BY Councillor Philippe Gaudet and SECONDED BY Councillor Nil Doucet that Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend increasing the municipal contribution to the Track and Field Facility Project from $685,000 to a maximum of $985,000, to allow for the purchase and installation of lighting for the field, and that these funds be taken from the Municipality’s Canada Community-Building Fund Reserve.
MOTION CARRIED

PROPOSED BY Deputy Warden Eric Pothier and SECONDED BY Councillor Carl Deveau that Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend purchasing the following items for a total of $28,575 (including the non-rebated portion of the HST), and that these funds be taken from the Municipality’s Capital Reserve:

• A 16' Cargo Trailer – Marks RV and Auto Repair Ltd. - $22,527
• A Vinyl Wrap for the Cargo Trailer – Digby Signs Inc. - $6,048

MOTION CARRIED

6) Business arising from Previous Meetings
None.

7) New Business
7.1 Request for Donation – Digby and Area Health Service Charitable Foundation
The CAO read a letter from the Digby and Area Health Service Charitable Foundation. (See attached)

Given the number of people from Clare who use the Digby Hospital, Council has previously supported the Foundation and chose to do so once again this year. As such, the following motion to recommend was made:

PROPOSED BY Councillor Brian Comeau and SECONDED BY Councillor Carl Deveau that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend donating $1,000 to the Digby and Area Health Service Charitable Foundation in support of their fundraising efforts.
MOTION CARRIED

7.2 Letter – Mary Guptill
The CAO summarized a letter received from Mary Guptill. (See attached)

This year’s Canoe Trip saw a large influx of ATV’s following the route. Unfortunately, this resulted in significant property damage. The RCMP is aware of this issue and are in discussions with DNR as to how to best address the issue. Sergeant LeBlanc (RCMP) will report back on this issue and plans moving forward at the next Police Advisory Board Meeting.

7.3 Outdoor Rink, Clare Veterans Centre
The outdoor rink at the Clare Veterans Centre has seen limited use since its installation. Councillor Carl Deveau believes this to be the result of the Municipality’s requirement that all users of the outdoor rink wear skates and would like to see this policy expanded to allow rollerblades and sneakers. The CAO explained that the current requirement was put in place at the recommendation of the vendor and in order to not void the warranty on the synthetic tiles. This notwithstanding, the CAO agreed to look into the warranty (and contact the vendor if required) to explore allowing roller blades on the rink.

7.4 Signage – NS Public Works
The CAO met with Pamela Mehlman-Shand of Nova Scotia Public Works. NS Public Works has put together a list of all the road signs and village signs in Clare needing repair or replacement, with the goal of completing this work before the CMA 2024. As per the existing MOU between the Municipality and NS Public Works, this will be a cost-sharing exercise and as such, will have an impact on the Municipality’s operational budget. The CAO has requested a revised list of signs and a detailed cost estimate. Once received, it will be forwarded to Council for review.

8) Questions and Comments from the Public
Mary Guptill advised Council that she had spoken with MLA Ronnie LeBlanc and believes that more enforcement from both the RCMP and DNR, coupled with greater awareness and/or education on responsible ATV use would be helpful. Council agreed and made the following motion to recommend:

PROPOSED BY Councillor Carl Deveau and SECONDED BY Councillor Brian Comeau that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend sending a letter to MLA Ronnie LeBlanc requesting more resources from the RCMP and the NS Department of Natural Resources and Renewables during the annual canoe trip on Easter Weekend.
MOTION CARRIED

Kevin Lombard, President of ATVANS, echoed the need for additional enforcement and suggested RCMP members present at this event carry breathalysers (as is the case for similar events in New Brunswick). Mr. Lombard also reminded Council that anyone born after 1987 needs to take an ATV safety course. Failure to take this course may result in a $410 fine.

Gilles Saulnier, Journalist with CIFA, asked what financing options were available to the Municipality should the province not provide funding for the Clare Health Centre expansion. The CAO explained that discussions with the Province are ongoing, remain positive and that he and Council remain confident that an agreement will be reached. Should the province not provide financial assistance for this expansion, the Municipality may seek financing from the Municipal Finance Corporation or other approved lenders. This will however require ministerial approval but is not believed to be an issue given the Municipality’s low debt volume and sound financial position.

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 Personnel Matters
9.2 Contract Negotiations

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

9) Date and time of the next Council-in-Committee Meeting
The next Council-in-Committee Meeting will be held on June 7, 2023, at 7:00 pm.

10) Adjournment
PROPOSED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau to adjourn the meeting at 9:15 pm.

Submitted by
Ashley Hanks,
Executive Assistant