Municipality of the District of Clare
COUNCIL-IN-COMMITTEE MEETING
Wednesday, June 8, 2022, at 7:00 pm
Meeting held at 1185 Highway 1, Little Brook

PRESENT:
Council: Deputy Warden Eric Pothier, Councillors Nil Doucet, Carl Deveau, Philippe Gaudet and Brian Comeau
Staff: CAO, Stéphane Cyr, Executive Assistant, Ashley Hanks, Communications Officer, Amy Paradis and Tourism Manager, Larry Peach
Presenters: Tim Doucette, Starlight Development Society
ABSENT:  Warden Yvon LeBlanc, Councillors Danny Hill, and Nadine Comeau

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

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

  • 7.7 Amendment to the 2019 Volunteer Fire Service – Vehicle Assessment

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

3) Declaration of Conflict of Interest.
None declared.

4) Presentations
4.1 Tim Doucette – Starlight Development Society
Tim Doucette presented on behalf of the Starlight Development Society. (pdfSee attached)

The Society is requesting a contribution of $5,000 from the Municipality to cover 50% of its re-certification cost. It is also requesting the Municipality incorporate language in its Land-Use By-law focusing on proper lighting practices and light pollution.

The Deputy Warden thanked Mr. Doucette for his presentation. Council will consider these requests at a future meeting and follow-up with the Society once it has made its decision. 

5) Staff Reports
None.

6) Business arising from Previous Meetings
6.1 Finale des Jeux de l’Acadie 2025
In light of Council’s interest in hosting la 44e Finale des Jeux de l’Acadie (2025), the CAO, the Municipality’s Recreation Manager and Université Sainte-Anne’s Director of Sports participated in a mandatory information session on May 30, 2022.The Municipality of Clare was the only municipal unit outside New Brunswick to participate in this session.

In terms of impacts, the proposed finale is expected to bring together some 1,250 youth athletes, 2,000 parents, generate 1,000 incremental hotel nights, and yield a number of legacy projects for the host community.

As for necessary facilities, the Municipality appears to satisfy all infrastructure requirements to host the games.

Lastly, from an operational perspective, the budget to host the finale has traditionally been in the range of $400,000. The expectation is that the Municipality would contribute a minimum of 10% of this amount. An assessment of the games in 2011 determined an economic impact for the host community of $1.4M. 

Assuming Council remains supportive of placing a bid to host the finale in 2025, it must send a letter to la Société des Jeux de l’Acadie confirming its intent by July 1, 2022. That said, Council made the following motion to recommend:

PROPOSED BY Councillor Carl Deveau and SECONDED BY Councillor Philippe Gaudet that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend sending a letter to la Société des Jeux de l’Acadie by July 1, 2022, confirming the Municipality’s intention to apply to host the Finale des Jeux de l’Acadie in 2025.
MOTION CARRIED

6.2 Le Grand Réveil Acadien 2022
A letter was received from the Grand Réveil Acadien two years inviting the Municipality of Clare to attend its festivities, as a lead up to the CMA 2024. Unfortunately, the onset of COVID-19 led to the cancellation of this event. Now in 2022, the Grand Réveil Acadien has returned, and organizers have once again reach out to Council inviting them to attend the event in October. The CAO believes this is a valuable opportunity to promote both the CMA 2024 and the Municipality of Clare and as such, is recommending Council consider sending a delegation.  The CAO will speak to Vaughne Madden to confirm whether or not the CMA 2024 will be attending. Council will further discuss this opportunity at the Regular Council meeting scheduled for June 15, 2022.

6.3 Track and Field Facility
The CAO advised Council that project delays last year couple with the current increase in global petroleum prices has led to an increase in project costs, specifically the asphalt and rubberized surface for the track (both petroleum-based products). Further complicating this matter, the asphalt supplier has backed out of the project and project managers have been forced to quickly find a qualified replacement in order to adhere to project timelines. Unfortunately, this has had a negative impact on project budget, contributing to an overall increase of $164,226. Based on discussion with university leadership, the CAO is recommending this overage be cost-shared equally between the Municipality and Université Sainte-Anne and that Council increase its total contribution towards this project from $600,000 to $685,000. Council agreed and passed the following motion to recommend:

PROPOSED BY Councillor Carl Deveau and SECONDED BY Councillor Nil Doucet that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend increasing the municipal contribution to the Track and Field Facility Project from $600,000 to $685,000 and that these funds be taken from the Municipality’s Capital Reserve.
MOTION CARRIED

7) New Business
7.1 New Road Name – Eel Lake Branch
The Municipality was approached to name a road off Eel Lake Drive. Three of the four impacted property owners (75%) have submitted their respective letters in favor of the proposed name. The fourth owner has yet to return his letter. This notwithstanding, the request is compliant with the Municipality’s Road Naming Policy. Council made the following motion to recommend:

PROPOSED BY Councillor Carl Deveau and SECONDED BY Councillor Philippe Gaudet 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 Number) listed below, as follows:

In English: Eel Lake Branch
In French: branche du Lac des Anguilles

30324180

30319628

30055537

30319610

30053409

30055495

30055511

30325898

30053391

30053359

MOTION CARRIED

 7.2 Tender – New Vehicle
A new municipal truck was approved as part of the Municipality’s 2022-23 Capital Budget. As the only two vehicle dealerships within the Municipality, tender documents were provided to both Clare Dodge Chrysler and Belliveau Motors, complete with detailed vehicle specifications. Following a review of the bids, the CAO is recommending that Council accept the proposal from Belliveau Motors Ltd. for a new Ford F150 XLT, in the amount of $53,904 plus HST. 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 accepting the bid from Belliveau Motors Ltd. for a new Ford F150 XLT, in the amount of $53,904 plus HST, and that these funds be taken from the Municipality’s Capital Reserve.
MOTION CARRIED

7.3 Letter – Mavillette Beach Provincial Park
The ramps, washrooms and change rooms at the Mavillette Beach Provincial Park are deteriorating. Public concern over the current state of these facilities is growing and some members of Council have been approached. As such, both the Warden and CAO are recommending Council send a letter to the Province highlighting these concerns. Council agreed and made the following motion to recommend:

PROPOSED BY Councillor Philippe Gaudet and SECONDED BY Councillor Nil Doucet that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend sending a letter to the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources and Renewables outlining the concerns pertaining to the lack of maintenance of the ramps, washrooms and changing facilities at the Mavillette Beach Provincial Park.
MOTION CARRIED

7.4 Dangerous and Unsightly – Fish Plant, New Edinburgh
The Municipality has received several complaints regarding the burnt remains of a fish plant in New Edinburgh. The CAO has contacted the RCMP regarding this issue and has been advised that the site is currently the subject of an active investigation. Until such time as the investigation is complete, the Municipality cannot involve itself further. The CAO remains in regular contact with the RCMP and will update Council as required.

7.5 Municipal Representative – Conseil des gouverneurs de l’Université Sainte-Anne
Université Sainte-Anne has sent a letter to the Municipality requesting it name a representative to its Board of Governors for a 1-year term. Traditionally, Council has appointed the Warden to this position. Council saw no need to deviate from this practice and made the following motion 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 appointing Warden Yvon LeBlanc as Council’s representative on the Board of Governors for Université Sainte-Anne for the 12-month period beginning September 1, 2022.
MOTION CARRIED

7.6 Exemption Request to Noise By-Law – Mile East Productions Ltd.
An exemption request to the Municipality’s Noise By-law was received from Mile East Productions Ltd. for an event to be held at 105 Base Line Rd, Cape Saint Mary, from 5:00 pm to 11:59 pm on June 15, 2022. The event will have 20-40 people in attendance including many of the neighbors. The exemption request is compliant with the terms laid out in the municipal by-law. As such, the CAO is recommending Council grant the exemption. Council agreed and made the following motion to recommend:

PROPOSED BY Councillor Brian Comeau and SECONDED BY Councillor Carl Deveau that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend granting an exemption to the Municipality’s Noise By-Law to Mile East Productions Ltd., for their event to held at 105 Base Line Rd, Cape Saint Mary, from 5:00 pm to 11:59 pm on June 15, 2022.
MOTION CARRIED

7.7 Amendment to the 2019 Volunteer Fire Service – Vehicle Assessment
The CAO was approached by both the St. Bernard and Havelock Fire Departments requesting a change to the previously agreed upon purchase order for the next three fire trucks, as outlined in the 2019 Volunteer Fire Service – Vehicle Assessment. Presently, Havelock is scheduled for the next truck, followed by St. Bernard for each of the next two years. That said, both departments have agreed in writing to modify the proposed order over the next 3 years, starting with St. Bernard, followed by Havelock, and closing once again with St. Bernard. The CAO saw no issue with this request. Council agreed and made the following motion to recommend:

PROPOSED BY Councillor Nil Doucet and SECONDED BY Councillor Philippe Gaudet that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend approving the joint request from the St. Bernard and Havelock Fire Departments to change the previously agreed upon order of the next three fire truck purchases, as outlined in its 2019 Volunteer Fire Service – Vehicle Assessment, to the following:

  1. Bernard Fire Department
  2. Havelock Fire Department
  3. Bernard Fire Department

MOTION CARRIED

8) Questions and Comments from the Public
None.

9) Closed Session
PROPOSED BY Councillor Nil Doucet and SECONDED BY Councillor Philippe Gaudet that Council proceed to closed session.
MOTION CARRIED

Topics Discussed:
9.1 Purchase of Municipal Property

PROPOSED BY Councillor Nil Doucet and SECONDED BY Councillor Philippe Gaudet 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 July 6, 2022, at 7:00 pm.

10) Adjournment
PROPOSED BY Councillor Nil Doucet to adjourn the meeting at 8:35 pm.

Submitted by:
Ashley Hanks,
Executive Assistant