Municipality of the District of Clare
COUNCIL-IN-COMMITTEE MEETING
Wednesday, November 6, 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, and Director of Finance, Ginette Cheff
Presenters: Nesime Askin, PhD, Michael Belanger, Tracy Zhen, and Joel MacNeil
ABSENT: Councillor Brian Comeau

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

2) Approval of the Agenda

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

3) Declaration of Conflict of Interest.
None.

4) Presentations
4.1 Oceanographic Environmental Research Society – Nesime Askin, PhD, Michael Belanger
Nesime Askin and Michael Belanger presented an overview of the Oceanographic Environmental Research Society, its services, and its various outreach efforts. (See attached)

4.2 NS Community Solar Program (Clare Solar Projects) – Tracy Zhen, CDO, SolarBank Corp and Joel MacNeil, Principal, Trimac Engineering
Tracy Zhen and Joel MacNeil presented an overview of the NS Community Solar Program and four solar projects being proposed by Solar Bank Corp within the Municipality of Clare. (See attached)

Following this presentation, Ms. Zhen asked Council for a letter in support of their application to the NS Community Solar Program for the aforementioned projects. Council expressed interest in these projects and committed to taking this request under consideration and responding shortly.

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)

6) Business Arising from Previous Meetings
None.

7) NEW BUSINESS
7.1 Capital Investment Plan (CIP) – 2024-2029
The CAO presented an abbreviated version of 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. This year’s deadline for submission is currently under review.  As for the plan itself, it 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 asked to review the plan and communicate any proposed revisions to the CAO. Once complete, the 5-year plan will be submitted for approval via formal motion of Council.

7.2 Committee Appointments
The Warden and CAO prepared a list of proposed committee appointments based on previously stated Councillor interests and preferences. Councillors were asked to please review the list and communicate and proposed revisions to the CAO prior to the November 20^th meeting of Council.

7.3 Municipal Code of Conduct
Following significant consultation with municipalities in September 2022, March 2023, and September 2023 on the code of conduct framework, the Code of Conduct Working Group – NSFM, AMANS, ANSV, and DMAH - developed 25 recommendations. The Minister of the DMAH has accepted all 25 recommendations. With the 2024 municipal elections now concluded, the legislative provisions require municipalities and villages to adopt a code of conduct consisting of the model code of conduct as outlined in the regulations. Furthermore, the Minister for the DMAH has prescribed that all municipalities and villages must adopt the model code of conduct within 60 days following the October 2024 election and provide confirmation of their notice of adoption. Should a municipality or village fail to meet the above requirements, municipal funding will be withheld pursuant to the Municipal Grants Act. As such, the CAO has committed to providing Council with more detailed information relating to the aforementioned Code of Conduct with the recommendation that Council seek to adopt said code at its upcoming meeting on November 20^th. Council agreed.

7.4 Tender – Three (3) Portable 1-Basin Stainless Steel Freestanding Utility Sinks
The Municipality posted a tender for the sale of three portable 1-basin stainless steel freestanding utility sinks. With the November 8, 2024, closing date approaching, no bids were received. As such, the tender was extended another two weeks (until November 22, 2024) and posted on the provincial procurement website in the hopes of reaching a broader audience.

7.5 Municipal Tax Write-Off – Assessment Account Number (AAN) 00661562
The CAO informed Council that an error occurred with PVSC which resulted in a tax bill being issued in error. PVSC has since advised that the error has been corrected in preparation for the 2025 municipal tax roll. However, to correct the error which is currently reflected on the 2024 municipal tax roll, the Municipality must write-off the amount in question. Council passed the following motion to recommend:

PROPOSED BY Councillor Carl Deveau and SECONDED BY Councillor Danny Hill that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend writing off $38.67 in municipal property taxes for Assessment Account Number 00661562.
MOTION CARRIED

7.6 Letter of support - Université Sainte-Anne
Université Sainte-Anne is applying to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to assist with the hiring of a Liaison Officer whose role will focus on the creation of ties between the University’s international student population, private sector, and the community at large. No funds are being requested from the Municipality. Rather, Université Sainte-Anne is requesting a letter in support of its efforts to secure IRCC funding. Council 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 Université Sainte-Anne, in support of its funding application to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
MOTION CARRIED

8) Questions and Comments from the Public
None.

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

Topics Discussed:
9.1 Contract Negotiations

PROPOSED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau and SECONDED BY Deputy Warden Eric Pothier that Council proceed to the Regular Council Meeting.
MOTION CARRIED

MOVED BY Councillor Danny Hill and SECONDED BY Councillor Réanne Evans that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare approve the submission of the Clare Veterans Centre Revitalization Project for funding consideration under the Department of Municipal Affairs and Housing’s Growth and Renewal for Infrastructure Development Program (GRID).
MOTION CARRIED

9) Date and time of the next Council-in-Committee Meeting
The next Council-in-Committee Meeting will be held on December 4, 2024, at 7:00 pm.

10) Adjournment
PROPOSED BY Councillor Réanne Evans to adjourn the meeting at 9:33 pm.

Submitted by
Ashley Hanks,
Executive Assistant