COUNCIL-IN-COMMITTEE MEETING
Wednesday, July 6, 2022 at 7:00 pm
Meeting held at 1185 Highway 1, Little Brook
PRESENT:
Council: Warden Yvon LeBlanc, Deputy Warden Eric Pothier, Councillors Nil Doucet, Danny Hill, Philippe Gaudet, Brian Comeau, and Nadine Comeau
Staff: Director of Community Development, Pam Doucet, Executive Assistant, Nicole Comeau, and Communications Officer, Amy Paradis
Presenters: Vernon Belliveau, Michel Belliveau
ABSENT: CAO, Stéphane Cyr, Carl Deveau
1) Call to Order
The Warden called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.
2) Approval of the Agenda
The Warden asked that the following items be added to the agenda:
4.1 - Saint Bernard Fire Department
7.10 - Paving at Cultural Hub
MOVED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau and SECONDED BY Councillor Danny Hill that the proposed agenda be approved with the above noted additions.
MOTION CARRIED
3) Declaration of Conflict of Interest.
None declared.
4) Presentations
4.1 Vernon Belliveau, Deputy Chief of the Saint Bernard Fire Department, accompanied by Michel Belliveau presented their ideas on how to maximise the purchasing power for firetrucks. Due to the rising costs of these trucks, suggestions included combining years of funding, altering department funding years, as well as co-ordering multiple trucks for discounts and the possibility of municipally owned fire trucks for insurance and HST saving purposes. They advised they have looked at used trucks but because of specific requirements needed in a rural community they are not readily available and still expensive. They reiterated that their priorities are always public safety and protection, and working together with other departments to save money and avoid tax increases. They will be discussing this topic further with the CCFA at its July meeting. Council’s questions centered whether they are working with all departments for purchases, fundraising and insurance.
5) Staff Reports
5.1 Cape Saint Mary Lighthouse Park – Tourism Manager, Larry Peach
Pam Doucet, Director of Community Development presented the project components and budget in Larry Peach’s absence. (See Attached)
PROPOSED BY Councillor Eric Pothier and SECONDED BY Councillor Brian Comeau that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend contribute 25 percent of the funds required for the proposed redevelopment of the Cape Saint Mary Lighthouse Park, as part of the Tourism Public Spaces project, conditional upon confirmation of balance of funding, and that these funds be taken from the Municipality’s Capital Reserve.
MOTION CARRIED
5.2 Financial Update – Director of Community Development, Pam Doucet
Pam Doucet, Director of Community Development presented the financial update up to May 31, 2022, in Ginette Cheff’s absence. (See attached)
6) Business arising from Previous Meetings
6.1 Request for Funding – Starlight Development Society
Following the Society’s presentation in June 2022, Council was asked to consider a funding contribution similar to the $5,000 contributions made by neighboring municipalities in order to support their activities. Positive comments about Canada-wide interest surrounding the Society and star gazing in particular reinforced the decision to support the request.
PROPOSED BY Councillor Phillippe Gaudet and SECONDED BY Councillor Danny Hill that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend making a financial contribution in the amount of $5,000 to the Starlight Development Society.
MOTION CARRIED
6.2 Community Representative – Yarmouth Hospital Foundation
PROPOSED BY Councillor Brian Comeau and SECONDED BY Councillor Nil Doucet that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend Rodrigue Lefort be appointed as community representative on the Yarmouth Hospital Foundation.
MOTION CARRIED
7) New Business
7.1 Abuse Prevention Policy
At the request of its insurance provider, the Municipality is proposing to include an abuse prevention policy as part of its suite on policies. (See Attached)
PROPOSED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau and SECONDED BY Councillor Eric Pothier that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend adopting the policy titled “Abuse Prevention Policy”.
MOTION CARRIED
7.2 Railing – Parking Lot, Meteghan Family Park
Invitational bids were received from two local fabricators/companies for the replacement of the railing at the Meteghan Family Park. All bids were complete, and staff recommended the low bid for the proposed work.
PROPOSED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau and SECONDED BY Councillor Danny Hill that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend awarding a contract for the fabrication and installation of an aluminum railing for the parking lot area at the Meteghan Family Park to A. F. Theriault & Son Ltd. at the contract price of $12,965 (+HST) and that these funds be taken from the Municipality’s Capital Reserve.
MOTION CARRIED
7.3 Cement Dugouts – Hilltown Ball Field
Two cement dugouts currently located at the site of the elementary school in Saulnierville were deemed in good condition and offer good value to the repurposed and used at the Hilltown ballfield. New structures would cost approximately $10,000 each.
PROPOSED BY Councillor Danny Hill and SECONDED BY Councillor Nil Doucet that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend the repurposing and transportation of two cement dugouts presently located at the site of the elementary school in Saulnierville to the Hilltown ballfield at a cost of $6,000 (+HST) with the work to be completed by Gary Belliveau Construction Limited.
MOTION CARRIED
7.4 New Road Name – Maple Lane
The proposed road name received 100% approval from the affected landowners and is compliant with the Municipality’s Road Naming Policy.
PROPOSED BY Councillor Nil Doucet and SECONDED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend approving the request to name the road shared by the PIDs (Property Identification Numbers) listed below, as follows:
In English: Maple Lane
In French: ruelle des Érables
|
30081624 |
30369458 |
30080386 |
30369441 |
MOTION CARRIED
7.5 Dangerous and Unsightly – 597 Lake Doucette Road
The property at 597 Lake Doucette Road has appeared twice on the tax sale and has had a clean-up conducted by the Municipality. Two remaining buildings on the site have since become dilapidated and have been vandalized and are now again subject to potential clean-up under the Municipality’s Dangerous and Unsightly By-law. The amount owing to the municipality has now reached $11,892.81.
Since there may be potential buyers interested in the property, it was recommended an estimate be obtained from a qualified realtor as to the property’s value before proceeding to either cleaning it up or offering the property up for tax sale by tender (with a clause stating the new owner would be responsible for cleaning the property).
7.6 Update – Wentworth Lake Municipal Park
Pam Doucet, Director of Community Development provided an update on the Wentworth Park development project.
The site has been rid of the old outhouses, including removal of the tanks. The work was contracted to Gary Belliveau Construction via an invitational tender.
Upland met with staff in June to propose a number of enhancements to the Park. In order to proceed with construction cost estimates, a decision on the washroom needs to be made. A washroom with electrical, plumbing, a well and septic is estimated to cost upwards of $100,000 and would leave approximately $130,000 in the construction budget for other improvements/development. A composite building like the ones the Municipality has in its other parks would come in at a much lower price, approximately $30,000, and could include a changing room and some storage. Staff requested direction from Council on the type of washroom and was advised to proceed with planning for a composite building-type facility.
Other project components that are being considered include improvements to the boat launch area (drainage), a floating dock with kayak launch, a smaller floating dock with access from the parking lot, an accessible walkway, picnic tables, hammocks, storage units (for our kayaks and other supplies, equipment, etc.), a playway; all with a natural theme with an emphasis on wood, local artisans, and reusing felled trees when possible. Upland did not recommend including a splash pad at the park but would rather keep the natural theme in play. A more central location within the Municipality with ready access to water should be considered instead.
A more detailed concept plan with associated costs will be presented to council in the Fall.
7.7 C&D Site
Bids were invited and later received from four local contractors for work to be conducted at the C&D site. All bids were complete, and staff recommended the low bid for the proposed work.
PROPOSED BY Councillor Eric Pothier and SECONDED BY Councillor Philippe Gaudet that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend accepting a bid received by DX Excavating in the amount of $5,940 (+HST) for allowable wood construction debris interment at the Clare Transfer Station.
MOTION CARRIED
7.8 Request for Funding – Clare Bluegrass Association
The Clare Bluegrass Association is looking for funding to assist with purchasing three hand washing stations. Local rentals are either unavailable or priced out of their budget. Council asked staff to inquire with our local supplier to see if they are preparing to purchase more of these stations. If not, the Municipality could purchase three units and have them available to the community. Staff was directed to draw from the Municipality’s Covid related funding as these units are to ensure proper availability of supplies for hand washing for increased cleanliness and sanitization at events.
PROPOSED BY Councillor Eric Pothier and SECONDED BY Councillor Nil Doucet that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend the purchase of three portable hand washing stations to be available for use by the community.
MOTION CARRIED
7.9 Proposed Art Installation – Highway 1 Utility Poles
Warden Yvon LeBlanc has been approached by a resident suggesting the Municipality paint the community’s power poles with the Acadian flag design for the Congrès mondial acadien (CMA) in 2024. Discussion surrounding the idea and its merits resulted in council advising the Warden to direct the resident to the CMA’s organizing committee/staff for review.
7.10 Paving of Cultural Hub
The Municipality was presented with an opportunity to purchase excess mix asphalt from Dexter Construction Company Ltd. The asphalt in question was left over from the ongoing Track and Field Project.
PROPOSED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau and SECONDED BY Councillor Phillippe Gaudet that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend purchasing excess hot mix asphalt from Dexter Construction Company Limited in the amount of $8,000 (+HST) for placement on a portion of the driveway area at the Cultural Hub and that these funds be taken from the Municipality’s Capital Reserve
MOTION CARRIED
8) Questions and Comments from the Public
Vernon Belliveau, Deputy Fire Chief for the Saint Bernard Fire Department, advised Council that the next CFFA meeting was scheduled for July 27th in Havelock.
Amy Paradis stated her support as a parent for obtaining water stations for events.
9) Closed Session
Topics Discussed:
9.1 Acquisition of Municipal Property
PROPOSED BY Councillor Brian Comeau and SECONDED BY Councillor Danny Hill that Council proceed to the Regular Council Meeting.
MOTION CARRIED
10) Date and time of the next Council-in-Committee Meeting
The next Council-in-Committee Meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 7, 2022, at 7:00 p.m.
11) Adjournment
PROPOSED BY Councillor Nil Doucet to adjourn the meeting at 9:00 p.m.
Submitted by
Nicole Comeau,
Executive Assistant