Municipality of the District of Clare
COUNCIL-IN-COMMITTEE MEETING
Wednesday, May 11, 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, Carl Deveau, Brian Comeau, and Nadine Comeau
Staff: CAO, Stéphane Cyr, Executive Assistant, Ashley Hanks, and Communications Officer, Amy Paradis
Presenters:
ABSENT:  Councillor Philippe Gaudet

1) Call to Order
The 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:

• 9.1 Contract Negotiations
• 9.2 Acquisition of Municipal Property

MOVED BY Councillor Danny Hill and SECONDED BY Councillor Carl Deveau that the proposed agenda be approved with the above noted additions.
MOTION CARRIED

3) Declaration of Conflict of Interest.
None declared.

4) Presentations
None.

5) Staff Reports
5.1 Joseph and Marie Dugas Park/Pointe-à-Major – Tourism Manager, Larry Peach
The Municipality’s Tourism, Larry Peach, presented the results of the Detailed Design Phase for the Joseph and Marie Dugas Park and Pointe-à-Major (see attached). The design plans were developed by Jost + Architects Ltd. following extensive consultations with an advisory committee comprised of representatives from the farmers’ market, the art market, the Société historique de la Baie Sainte-Marie, the Belliveau Cove Development Commission, and the Municipality.

Plans for Joseph and Marie Dugas Park are highlighted by the creation of a new 40’ x 120’ market building which will house roughly 18 permanent market stalls (and other temporary stalls), a prep kitchen, accessible washrooms, as well as the Stella Maris replica created by the late Jean Belliveau. With this new, open-concept multi-purpose building, the Municipality hopes to welcome new events to the Park all the while extending the current market season from six months to ten months.  

The proposed changes to the Pointe-à-Major site focus on site preservation and authenticity. Design elements include protective measures such as raising the cemetery grounds to ensure proper drainage, replacing the wooden fence with a stone wall, new cladding for the chapel, accessibility improvements, a more defined parking area, and improved landscaping around the monument.

The anticipated costs for this tourism infrastructure project, as included in the capital budget and including the non-rebated portion of the HST, is $1.95M. The proposed funding mix, as recommended by the CAO, is 50% federal, 25% provincial and 25% municipal. In order to complete this project in time for the CMA 2024, staff must commence the funding application process immediately. To do so, the CAO is seeking Council’s approval of the proposed design plans and confirmation of the Municipality’s funding contribution. Council affirmed its support of the design plans as presented and made the following motion to recommend:

PROPOSED BY Councillor Brian Comeau and SECONDED BY Councillor Nil Doucet that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend contributing 25 percent of the funds required for the proposed redevelopment of the Joseph and Marie Dugas Municipal Park and Major’s Point, as part to the Tourism Public Spaces project, up to a maximum of $487,500 (including the nonrefundable portion of HST) conditional on confirmation of balance of funding, and that these funds be taken from the Municipality’s Capital Reserve.
MOTION CARRIED

5.2 Capital Budget 2022-2023 – CAO, Stéphane Cyr
The CAO presented the Municipality’s proposed capital budget for fiscal 2022-2023 (see attached). The proposed budget includes a total of $6,248,473 in project investments for the fiscal year, of which the Municipality’s share is $2,561,246. Specific investments include high-speed Internet, the re-development of the Clare Veterans Centre, Park Joseph and Marie Dugas, the Cape St. Mary Lighthouse Park, and Wentworth Park, as well as continued investments in wastewater infrastructure, sidewalks, the Clare Health Centre, the Transfer Station, and the Havelock Community Centre. Council made 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 approving the 2022-2023 Capital Budget for the Municipality of the District of Clare as presented.
MOTION CARRIED

6) Business arising from Previous Meetings
6.1 Naming of Public Lands and Municipal-Owned Facilities Policy
The CAO presented a draft of this policy to Council in March for its review and consideration. The recommendations put forward at that time have since been incorporated into the policy, which has now also been vetted by the Municipality’s solicitor. Council reviewed the current draft of the policy (see attached) and made the following motion to recommend:

PROPOSED BY Councillor Danny Hill and SECONDED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend approving the Naming of Public Lands and Municipal-Owned Facilities Policy as presented.
MOTION CARRIED

6.2 Funding Request – Héritage Saint-Bernard
Jean LeBlanc, President of Héritage Saint-Bernard, presented to Council in January 2022 regarding his group’s efforts to preserve the former St. Bernard Church building and the plans to soon move forward with a feasibility study. Héritage Saint-Bernard is now ready to move forward with said study which it estimates will cost $60,000. Of this amount, $45,000 is being requested from ACOA and $10,000 from the Municipality, with Héritage Saint-Bernard contributing the remaining $5,000. Whereas Council previously approved a similar request ($20,000) for the Société édifice Sainte-Marie de la Pointe, the CAO is recommending Council approve this request. Council agreed and made the following motion recommend:

PROPOSED BY Councillor Brian Comeau and SECONDED BY Deputy Warden Eric Pothier that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend contributing $10,000 to Héritage Saint-Bernard to aid in the preparation of a feasibility study focusing on alternate uses of the former St. Bernard Church, conditional on confirmation of balance of funding, and that these funds be taken from the Municipality’s Operating Reserve.
MOTION CARRIED

6.3 Dangerous and Unsightly – 641 Bangor Road
The owner of 641 Bangor Rd is contesting the charges laid against her by the RCMP and will be hiring an independent fire inspector to review the findings of the investigations conducted by both the RCMP and the Fire Marshall. According to her attorney, this review should be concluded by the end of June. As such, they are requesting the Municipality delay its planned remediation of the site until June 30, 2022. Failure to do so would negatively impact the ability of the homeowner to build her case and possibly establish her innocence. The CAO spoke with the Municipality’s solicitor, and both agreed to comply with the request to delay remediation until June 30, 2022. A letter to that effect has since been sent to the homeowner’s attorney.

6.4 Municipal Recognition – Lex Brukovskiy
Councillor Brian Comeau was contacted by a resident asking if the Municipality would do something to recognize Lex Brukovskiy and the work he is doing in the Ukraine. Council was receptive to the idea and discussed different options it deemed appropriate. A flag raising ceremony was widely acknowledged as a meaningful gesture. In addition to the flag raising ceremony, the Municipality will continue to engage via its Communauté francophone accueillante project.

7) New Business
7.1 Fire Departments – Capital Funding 2022-2023
 The CAO presented the proposed capital funding allocations for 2022-2023 for each of the seven fire departments within the Municipality (see attached). The total amount available this year, as generated by the uniform $0.05 area rate, is $190,916. Council agreed with the proposed distribution of funds and made the following motion to recommend:

PROPOSED BY Deputy Warden Eric Pothier and SECONDED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend approving the 2022-2023 volunteer fire department capital funding expenditures as presented.
MOTION CARRIED

7.2 Letter of Support – Clare Golf and Country Club
The Clare Golf and Country Club is applying to Sports Nova Scotia for funding to develop programming for junior-aged girls from low-income families. As part of their application, the Club is seeking a letter of support from the Municipality. Council made the following motion to recommend:

PROPOSED BY Councillor Nil Doucet and SECONDED BY Councillor Danny Hill that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend writing a letter to the Clare Golf and Country Club in support of their efforts to develop programming for junior-aged girls from low-income families.
MOTION CARRIED

7.3 Municipal Credit Card
The current cumulative limit for the Municipal Credit Card is $25,000. According to both the CAO and the Director of Finance, this limit is too low and should be increased to $40,000. It is also recommended that an additional card be issued to the Director of Community Development, with a $5,000 limit, for expenses incurred by the Department. Currently, Community Development staff have been using their personal cards for expenses and are later reimbursed by the Municipality. However, by proceeding in this fashion, the Municipality is unable to reclaim the HST on these expenses. Council agreed with both requests and made the following motions to recommend:

PROPOSED BY Councillor Carl Deveau and SECONDED BY Deputy Warden Eric Pothier that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend increasing the municipal credit card limit from $25,000 to $40,000.
MOTION CARRIED

PROPOSED BY Councillor Brian Comeau and SECONDED BY Councillor Danny Hill that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend authorizing a municipal credit card for the Director of Community Development, Mrs. Pam Doucet, with a maximum limit of $5,000.
MOTION CARRIED

7.4 New Road Name – Pepperrell Road North
The Municipality has received a request to name a road off the Pepperrell Road. The two properties along this new road are owned by the same individual. The proposed road name is compliant with municipal policy. As such, Council made the following motion to recommend:

PROPOSED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau and SECONDED BY Deputy Warden Eric Pothier 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: Pepperrell Road North
In French: chemin Pepperrell Nord

MOTION CARRIED

7.5 Funding Request – Rooted in Clare Garden Club
The Rooted in Clare Garden Club is requesting $500 from the Municipality for fill for their community garden at the Cultural Hub. There is currently $500 remaining under the Municipality’s Grants to Organizations program and according to the CAO, this request would be eligible. Of note, the vegetables grown in this community garden are given freely to seniors and low-income families.

Council agreed to grant the request and made the following motion to recommend:

PROPOSED BY Councillor Carl Deveau and SECONDED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend approving the Rooted in Clare Garden Club’s application to the Municipality’s Grants to Organizations program in the amount of $500.
MOTION CARRIED

7.6 Sponsorship Request (Zone Partner) – Yarmouth Rotary Ribfest
Paul Comeau of the Yarmouth Rotary Club has approached the Municipalities of both Clare and Argyle to co-sponsor an Acadian Day as part of the Yarmouth Rotary Ribfest, along with Coastal Financial Credit Union. A day sponsorship is $10,000 and Costal Financial has agreed to pay for half ($5,000). Mr. Comeau is asking if the Municipality of Clare and the Municipality of Argyle would each be willing to contribute $2,500 to the event. The Municipality of Argyle has yet to meet to discuss this request. This notwithstanding, the CAO believes the Municipality of Clare should contribute the $2,500 as requested as a show of support for this growing event which attracts patrons from across the region, including Clare. Furthermore, the CAO and Tourism Manager are of the opinion that regional collaborations and/or promotions such as these are important as part of the build-up for the upcoming CMA 2024. Council agreed and made the following motion to recommend:

PROPOSED BY Deputy Warden Eric Pothier and SECONDED BY Councillor Brian Comeau that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend sponsoring the Yarmouth Rotary Ribfest’s Acadian Day in the amount of $2,500 and that these funds be taken from the Municipality’s Operating Reserve.
MOTION CARRIED

7.7 Funding Request – Tri-County Women’s Centre
The Municipality of Clare received a request to its Grants to Organizations program from the Tri-County Women’s Centre. The Centre is asking for $1,000 for help with its outreach programs. Unfortunately, requests for operational programming are not eligible under the Municipality’s Grants to Organizations program. The CAO will reach out to the Tri-County Women’s Centre to inform them of this decision and to discuss possible funding opportunities with the Municipality, and how best to apply, as part of next year’s operating budget.

8) Questions and Comments from the Public
None.

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

Topics Discussed:
9.1 Contract Negotiations
9.2 Acquisition of Municipal Property

PROPOSED BY Councillor Nil Doucet and SECONDED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau that Council proceed to the Regular Council-in-Committee Meeting.
MOTION CARRIED

9) Date and time of the next Council-in-Committee Meeting
The next Council-in-Committee Meeting will be held on June 1, 2022, at 7:00 pm.

10) Adjournment
PROPOSED BY Councillor Nil Doucet to adjourn the meeting at 9:15 pm.

Submitted by  
Ashley Hanks,
Executive Assistant