Municipality of the District of Clare
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
Wednesday, February 15, 2023, at 7:00 pm
Meeting held at 1185 Highway 1, Little Brook, NS
PRESENT: Council: Warden Yvon LeBlanc; Deputy Warden Eric Pothier; Councillors, Nil Doucet, Danny Hill, Philippe Gaudet, Carl Deveau, Brian Comeau, and Nadine Comeau
Staff: CAO Stéphane Cyr, Executive Assistant, Ashley Hanks, Communications Officer, Amy Paradis
Presenters:
ABSENT:
1) Call to Order
Warden Yvon LeBlanc called the Council meeting to order at 7:00 pm.
2) Adoption of the Agenda
MOVED BY Councillor Danny Hill and SECONDED BY Councillor Philippe Gaudet that the proposed agenda be approved as presented.
MOTION CARRIED
3) Declaration of Conflict of Interest
None declared.
4) Presentations
None.
5) Adoption of the Minutes from Previous Council Meetings
5.1 January 18, 2023 – Regular Council Meeting
MOVED BY Councillor Philippe Gaudet and SECONDED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau that the minutes of the January 18, 2023, Regular Council Meeting be accepted as presented.
MOTION CARRIED
5.2 February 1, 2023 – Council in Committee Meeting
MOVED BY Councillor Carl Deveau and SECONDED BY Councillor Danny Hill that the minutes of the February 1, 2023, Council in Committee Meeting be accepted as presented.
MOTION CARRIED
6) Business Arising from Previous Meetings
None
7) Warden’s Activity Report – Warden Yvon LeBlanc
January 19 – Attended a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Conseil de développement économique de la Nouvelle-Écosse (CDÉNÉ) to discuss the hiring of a new CEO.
January 24 – Attended a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Villa Acadienne.
January 25 – Attended a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Conseil de développement économique de la Nouvelle-Écosse (CDÉNÉ) to announce the hiring of Mr. Kenneth Deveau as the new CEO.
January 27 – Attended a media training session with Iris Communications.
February 8 – Attended a meeting of the Municipality of Clare's Planning Advisory Committee.
February 8 – Attended a meeting of the Municipality of Clare’s Audit Committee.
February 11 – Attended a meeting of the Board of Governors of Université Sainte-Anne. At this meeting, we met with the new Vice President of Administration, Patriciane Nankoua, and the two new faculty representatives, Nabil Abboud and Irène Costentin. We also toured the new campus of Université Sainte-Anne in Halifax, on Spring Garden Road.
8) Official Statements from Members of Council
Councillor Carl Deveau would like to send a letter to Denise Thibault of Saulnierville and Dorian Thibault of Grosses Coques congratulating them on making the Nova Scotia Karate Team and being selected to represent Nova Scotia at the upcoming Canada Winter Games in PEI. Council agreed.
ESDC and ESPB are hosting the SSNS D2 provincial women’s hockey tournament. Six teams will be participating in this tournament. Warden LeBlanc wanted to congratulate the ESDC/ESPB team on their season and wish them luck in the upcoming tournament.
9) Correspondence
9.1 The Honourable John Lohr – Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing
The CAO read a letter from The Honourable John Lohr, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. (
See attached) Council passed the following motion:
MOVED BY Councillor Philippe Gaudet and SECONDED BY Deputy Warden Eric Pothier that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare send a letter to Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) Canada outlining its concerns with the quality of cellular service in the Municipality.
MOTION CARRIED
9.2 Peter Hackett – Deputy Minister, Nova Scotia Department of Public Works
The CAO read a letter from Peter Hackett, Deputy Minister, Nova Scotia Department of Public Works. (See attached)
The other towns and municipalities in Southwest Nova Scotia are considering a joint letter outlining their input on beneficial information to include in the study. YASTA has already sent a letter. Council passed the following motion:
MOVED BY Deputy Warden Eric Pothier and SECONDED BY Councillor Carl Deveau that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare sign the joint letter, along with the other towns and municipalities in Southwest Nova Scotia, outlining their input on the beneficial information to include in the comprehensive socio-economic study on the value and impacts of the investment in a ferry service from Maine to Nova Scotia.
MOTION CARRIED
9.3 Mary Surette – Managing Director, Yarmouth Hospital Foundation
The CAO read a letter from Mary Surette, Managing Director of the Yarmouth Hospital Foundation. (See attached)
10) CAO Report – Chief Administrative Officer – Stéphane Cyr
The CAO presented his report for the month of February. (See attached)
11) Committee Reports
11.1 Building Permits Report – Councillor Danny Hill
Councillor Danny Hill read the building permits report for the month of January.
January 2023
|
Year |
Permits |
Construction Value |
Year to Date |
|
2022 |
10 |
$652,600 |
$652,600 |
|
2023 |
12 |
$559,440 |
$559,440 |
11.2 Waste Check – Councillor Carl Deveau
Councillor Nadine Comeau presented the Waste Check Report.
The elimination of black garbage bags was discussed. Waste Check will start advertising this change in April 2023 and black bags will no longer be accepted for collection as of April 1, 2024. Residents will be allowed one opaque bag in their clear bag per collection, for personal items. Some municipalities within Nova Scotia have already eliminated black bags and Waste Check is hoping to follow suit.
Waste Check is also promoting the switch from Styrofoam takeout containers to biodegradable takeout containers. Alternatives are currently being explored.
12) New Business
12.1 Motion to Approve Asset Retirement Obligation Policy
Municipalities in Nova Scotia are now required to have an Asset Retirement Obligation Policy. The purpose of such a policy is to stipulate the accounting treatment for Asset Retirement Obligation (ARO) so that users of the financial statements can discern information about these assets, and their end-of-life obligations. The principal issues in accounting for ARO’s is the recognition and measurement of these obligations. A draft ARO policy has been presented and subsequently recommended for approval by the Municipality’s Audit Committee (See attached). Following a review of the policy, Council made the following motion:
MOVED BY Councillor Danny Hill and SECONDED BY Councillor Philippe Gaudet that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare approve the Asset Retirement Obligation Policy as presented.
MOTION CARRIED
12.2 Motion to Approve Amendment to Abuse Prevention Policy
The purpose of this policy (See attached) is to formalize the Municipality’s commitment to safeguarding the welfare of all children and vulnerable adults (collectively, “vulnerable individuals”) who access Municipality programs and services. Following a review of the policy by its insurance provider, the Municipality has been asked to amend the policy to include a signature block for staff. Council was presented with the amended policy for its consideration and made the following motion:
MOVED BY Councillor Carl Deveau and SECONDED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare approve the amendment to the Abuse Prevention Policy as presented.
MOTION CARRIED
12.3 Motion to Approve the Municipality of Clare Accessibility Plan 2023-2026
The Municipality’s Accessibility Plan 2023-2026 has been approved by its Accessibility Advisory Committee and is now being sent to Council for its review and consideration. The plan is a living document which will change and evolve over time, as required. Once approved by Council, it will be formally submitted to the Government of Nova Scotia’s Accessibility Directorate. Council was very pleased with the plan and made the following motion:
MOVED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau and SECONDED BY Councillor Danny Hill that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare approve the Municipality’s Accessibility Plan 2023-2026 as presented.
MOTION CARRIED
12.4 Motion to Appoint a Community Representative – Accessibility Advisory Committee
The Municipality’s Accessibility Advisory Committee requires a minimum of three community representatives. Unfortunately, one of these representatives had to step down for personal reasons. Despite efforts to replace this representative, the committee seat remains empty.
Recently, it has been brought to the Committee’s attention that Josanne Deveau is interested in joining as a community representative. Ms. Deveau is a well-known and well-respected volunteer, coach, teacher, and a passionate advocate for persons with disabilities. Both the Committee and the CAO agree that her membership would add tremendous value in helping shape and guide the Municipality’s efforts towards becoming more equitable and barrier-free by the year 2030. Council agreed and made the following motion:
MOVED BY Deputy Warden Eric Pothier and SECONDED BY Councillor Nil Doucet that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare appoint Josanne Deveau to the Municipality’s Accessibility Advisory Committee.
MOTION CARRIED
12.5 Motion to Name Road – Henriette Bridge Road
The Municipality has been approached to approve the naming of a private road. The proposed name is compliant with the Municipality’s Road Naming Policy in that its is bilingual and has garnered the approval of no less than 66.6% of the affected property owners. As such, staff is recommending the proposed name be approved. Council agreed and made the following motion:
MOVED BY Councillor Carl Deveau and SECONDED BY Councillor Danny Hill that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare approve the request to name the road shared by the PIDs (Property Identification Numbers) listed below, as follows:
In English: Henriette Bridge Road
In French: chemin du Pont à Henriette
|
30019277 |
30019483 |
30019392 |
30018527 |
30019442 |
30019467 |
30019202 |
|
30371744 |
30286538 |
30019178 |
30019160 |
30382048 |
30319128 |
30382022 |
|
30356505 |
30382030 |
30019095 |
30382014 |
30019459 |
MOTION CARRIED
12.6 Municipal Profile and Financial Condition Indicators 2020-21
The CAO provided an overview of the Municipal Profile and Financial Condition Indicators 2020-21 for the Municipality, as provided by the Nova Scotia Department of Municipal Affairs and Housing (See attached). As per the report, the Municipality’s financial position is sound.
12.7 Motion to Transfer Funds from the Operating Fund to the Capital Fund
Both the Director of Finance and the CAO are requesting Council’s permission to transfer $5,463 in expenses from the Operating Fund to the Capital Fund, in an effort to properly capitalize said expenses. Council agreed and made the following motion:
MOVED BY Councillor Philippe Gaudet and SECONDED BY Councillor Carl Deveau that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare transfer $5,463 from the Operating Fund to the Capital Fund.
MOTION CARRIED
13) Closed Session
PROPOSED BY Councillor Nil Doucet and SECONDED BY Councillor Danny Hill that Council proceed to an In-Camera Session.
MOTION CARRIED
Topics Discussed:
13.1 Setting a Minimum Price – Municipal Tax Sale
13.2 Personnel Matters
PROPOSED BY Councillor Nil Doucet and SECONDED BY Councillor Danny Hill that Council proceed to the Regular Council Meeting.
MOTION CARRIED
PROPOSED BY Councillor Danny Hill and SECONDED BY Councillor Nil Doucet that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare write off $11,518.64 in municipal property taxes for AAN 02491206.
MOTION CARRIED
14) Date and time of the next Regular Council Meeting
The next Regular Council Meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 15, 2023, at 7:00 pm.
15) Adjournment
MOVED BY Councillor Nil Doucet to adjourn the meeting at 8:25 pm.
Submitted by:
Ashley Hanks
Executive Assistant