Municipality of the District of Clare
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
Wednesday, November 16, 2022, 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, Philippe Gaudet, Danny Hill, Carl Deveau, and Brian Comeau
Staff: CAO Stéphane Cyr, Communications Officer, Amy Paradis, and Executive Assistant, Nicole Comeau
Presenters:            
ABSENT: Councillor Nadine Comeau

1) Call to Order
The Warden 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 circulated.
MOTION CARRIED          

3) Declaration of Conflict of Interest
None declared.

4) Presentations
None

5) Adoption of the Minutes from Previous Council Meetings
5.1 October 19, 2022 – Regular Council Meeting

MOVED BY Councillor Danny Hill and SECONDED BY Councillor Carl Deveau that the minutes of the October 19, 2022, Regular Council Meeting be accepted as presented.
MOTION CARRIED

5.2 November 9, 2022 – Council in Committee Meeting

MOVED BY Councillor Philippe Gaudet and SECONDED BY Deputy Warden Eric Pothier that the minutes of the November 9, 2022, 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
October 21-23 – Attended the FANE AGM.

October 23 – Attended the opening ceremony of the new multi-use court at the Havelock Community Centre.

October 25 - Attended a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Villa Acadienne.

November 1-4 – Attended the NSFM Fall Conference.

November 5 - Attended a meeting of the Board of Governors of Université Sainte-Anne.

November 7 – Attended a provincial forum on the state of francophone immigration in Nova Scotia. The forum was held at Université Sainte-Anne.

November 8 - Attended the Société acadienne de Clare AGM.

November 10 – Attended a meeting of the WREN Liaison and Oversight Committee (LOC). At this meeting, Guy Surette was elected Chair and Gil Dares was elected Vice-Chair of the LOC.

8) Official Statements from Members of Council
Councillor Carl Deveau congratulated Anne-Marie Comeau, Founder of la Baie en Joie, on receiving the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal, and requested Council send a congratulatory letter. Council agreed.

9) Correspondence
9.1 Letter – The Honourable Timothy Halman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change
The CAO read a letter from the Honourable Timothy Halman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change. (See attached)

9.2 Letter - Mark Peck, Associate Deputy Minister, Municipal Affairs and Housing
The CAO read a letter from Mark Peck, Associate Deputy Minister, Municipal Affairs and Housing. (See attached)

9.3 Letter - Glenda Doucet-Boudreau, President, l’Association Madeleine LeBlanc
The CAO read a letter from Glenda Doucet-Boudreau, President, l’Association Madeleine LeBlanc. (See attached)

10) CAO Report – Chief Administrative Officer – Stéphane Cyr
The CAO presented his report for the month of November. (See attached)

11) Committee Reports
11.1 Building Permits Report – Councillor Danny Hill
Councillor Danny Hill presented the building permits report for the month of October.

October 2022 

Year

Permits

Construction Value

Year to Date

2021

34

$2,002,746

$42,879,879

2022

18

$519,040

$13,710,580

11.2     Waste Check – Councillor Carl Deveau
Councillor Carl Deveau presented a summary of the Waste Check meeting which took place on November 8, 2022.

At said meeting, the subject of EPR was discussed. The Province of NS is still in the process of writing the regulations, but no update has been received. It is estimated that between $15-22M in funding to Nova Scotia Municipalities is being lost each year. This funding would help with not only the recycling costs but also transportation, collection, and education costs. Board members felt it would be helpful for each member municipal unit to write a letter to the Province of NS asking for an update. A resolution was passed by NSFM on EPR in 2018 but recently removed from their priorities. Divert NS is hosting an EPR Summit on December 6th.

As per usual, Waste Check would like to remind the public to kindly place their paper and plastic recyclables in separate blue bags.

12)  New Business
12.1 Motion to Accept 2022 Boundary Review Report
C + D Community Design Inc. submitted the 2022 Boundary Review Report, complete with recommendations pertaining to Council size and electoral boundaries. The report was reviewed by the CAO and circulated to Council for consideration. Council approval is required prior to the report being submitted to the UARB. Council agreed with the report’s content 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 accept the 2022 Boundary Review Report prepared by C + D Community Design Inc., including the recommendations pertaining to Council size and electoral boundaries contained therein.
MOTION CARRIED

12.2 Motion to Send a Letter – The Honourable Karla MacFarlane, Minister of Community Services
Following word that the Community Services office in Meteghan may be closing or staffed with English speaking personnel only, Councillor Brian Comeau is asking Council to send a letter to the Honourable Karla MacFarlane, Minister of Community Services, underscoring the importance of the department’s office in Meteghan to the local community, in terms of program delivery in both official languages. Council agreed and made the following motion:

MOVED BY Councillor Brian Comeau and SECONDED BY Deputy Warden Eric Pothier that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare write a letter to the Minister of Community Services, the Honourable Karla MacFarlane, underscoring the importance of the department’s office in Meteghan to the local community, in terms of program delivery in both official languages.
MOTION CARRIED

12.3 Motion to Award the Contract for the New Roof – St. Bernard Fire Hall
Following a windstorm last year, the roof of the St. Bernard Fire Hall sustained considerable damage. The matter was referred to the Municipality’s insurance provider who agreed to cover a portion of the damages, given that the building remains under municipal ownership. As part of its evaluation, the insurance provider requested a number of quotes and ultimately agreed to move forward with the quote provided by Shep-Com Construction Ltd. For the Municipality’s records and to signal acceptance of Shep-Com’s bid, the CAO is requesting a motion from Council. Council agreed and made the following motion:

MOVED BY Councillor Nil Doucet and SECONDED BY Councillor Danny Hill that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare accept the bid from Shep-Com Construction Ltd. for the new roof for the St. Bernard Fire Department, in the amount of $62,055 plus HST, and that these funds be taken from the Municipality’s Capital Reserve.
MOTION CARRIED

12.4     Motion to Authorize the CAO to Execute Agreement – Active Transportation Fund
In order for the Municipality to access funding from the Active Transportation Fund, the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure, and Communities requires a motion from Council confirming adherence to program criteria and authorizing the Chief Administrative Officer to execute the contribution agreement. Council made the following motion:

MOVED BY Deputy Warden Eric Pothier and SECONDED BY Councillor Carl Deveau that whereas the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare meets all the requirements of the Canada – Active Transportation Fund Agreement, the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare authorize the Chief Administrative Officer to execute the agreement on behalf of the Municipality of the District of Clare
MOTION CARRIED

12.5     Motion to Enter into Lease Agreements – Mainland Telecom Inc.
Mainland Telecom Inc. has drafted two lease agreements to formalize the placement of their equipment on municipal land. The placement of said equipment had been agreed to verbally at the onset of the project, with the understanding that a more formal written agreement was forthcoming. The leases have since been vetted by the municipal solicitor and the CAO, both of whom are recommending the Municipality sign. Council agreed and made the following motion:

MOVED BY Councillor Carl Deveau and SECONDED BY Councillor Philippe Gaudet that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare enter into lease agreements with Mainland Telecom Inc., outlining the responsibilities of both parties as it relates to the housing of Mainland’s equipment on the municipal properties located at 795 Highway 1 Comeauville and 29 Haché Rd. in Meteghan.
MOTION CARRIED

12.6 Motion to Authorize Tax Write Offs
The Director of Finance recommended the following tax write-offs. Council agreed and made the following motion:

PROPOSED BY Councillor Philippe Gaudet and SECONDED BY Councillor Carl Deveau that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend approving $5,105.12 in tax write offs, as detailed below:

§  AAN 10834082

     $330.33

§  AAN 05214041

     $65.82

§  AAN 10464692

     $778.70

§  AAN 02487942

     $41.46

§  AAN 08532133

     $25.68

§  AAN 03098303

     $3,263.22

§  AAN 00394262

     $4.30

§  AAN 05294673

     $2.48

§  AAN 08498539

     $20.09

§  AAN 10671760

     $0.91

§  AAN 05431166

     $571.51

§  AAN 10796997

     $0.62

MOTION CARRIED

12.7 Motion to Purchase Commemorative Print – La Vieille Maison
A local artist, Miguel Deon (Saltwreck Inc.) is making a series of limited edition, commemorative prints, as part of ongoing funding efforts for la Vieille Maison. The asking price for a print is $3,000.  As a show of support for la Vieille Maison, the CAO is recommending the Municipality purchase one of these limited-edition prints for display at the municipal office. Council agreed and made 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 purchase a limited edition, commemorative print from Saltwreck Inc., as part of ongoing fundraising efforts for La Vieille Maison, in the amount of $3,000 and that these funds be taken from the Municipality’s Capital Reserve.
MOTION CARRIED

13) In camera session

PROPOSED BY Councillor Nil Doucet and SECONDED BY Councillor Carl Deveau that Council proceed to an In-Camera Session.
MOTION CARRIED

Topics Discussed:
13.1     Contract Negotiations

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 Danny Hill and SECONDED BY Councillor Carl Deveau that Council proceed to the Regular Council Meeting.
MOTION CARRIED

14) Date and time of the next Regular Council Meeting
The next Regular Council Meeting will be held on Wednesday, December 21, 2022, at 7:00 pm.

15) Adjournment

MOVED BY Councillor Nil Doucet to adjourn the meeting at 8:50 pm.

Submitted by:
Nicole Comeau
Executive Assistant