Municipality of the District of Clare
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
Wednesday, January 19, 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, Brian Comeau, Philippe Gaudet, Carl Deveau, Danny Hill, and Nadine Comeau
Staff: CAO Stéphane Cyr, Executive Assistant, Ashley Hanks, and Communications Officer, Amy Paradis
Presenters: Jean LeBlanc, Héritage Saint-Bernard
ABSENT:


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

2) Approval of the Agenda

MOVED BY Councillor ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Danny Hill and SECONDED BY Councillor Carl Deveau that the proposed agenda be approved as circulated.
MOTION CARRIED           

3) Declaration of conflict of interest
None declared.

4) Presentations
4.1 Héritage Saint-Bernard – Jean LeBlanc
Jean LeBlanc provided an overview of Héritage Saint-Bernard’s vision for l’Église Saint-Bernard following its scheduled deconsecration in June 2022. (pdfSee attached).

As was the case with Société Édifice Sainte-Marie de la Pointe, Héritage Saint-Bernard is also hoping to complete a study exploring the feasibility of its vision for the building and is in discussion with both the federal and provincial government for funding support. According to Mr. LeBlanc, this presentation to Council is for information purposes only however the organization is hopeful that Council will support it in its efforts to both save and revitalize this building.

Council thanked Mr. LeBlanc for his presentation and Héritage Saint-Bernard’s efforts to date..

5) Adoption of the Minutes from Previous Council Meetings
5.1 December 15, 2021 – Regular Council Meeting

MOVED BY Deputy Warden Eric Pothier and SECONDED BY Councillor Philippe Gaudet that the minutes of the December 15, 2021, Regular Council Meeting be accepted as presented.
MOTION CARRIED

5.2 January 5, 2022 – Council in Committee Meeting

MOVED BY Councillor Philippe Gaudet and SECONDED BY Councillor Nil Doucet that the minutes of the January 5, 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

December 22, 2021 – Attended a meeting of the CDÉNÉ to finalize the job posting for the Executive Director position.

December 28, 2021 – Attended the annual Christmas supper with the Doctors from the Clare Health Center and the medical students from Clare, as part of the Municipality’s ongoing doctor recruitment efforts.

January 5, 2022 – Attended a virtual meeting with MP Chris d’Entremont, the other members of Council, and the CAO to discuss municipal priorities, as well as current and future projects.

January 10, 2022 – Attended a Board of Directors meeting for the Villa Acadienne.

January 11, 2022 – Attended a meeting with the Mayors and Wardens to discuss the crisis in the lobster fishing industry with the leader of the Conservative Party, Erin O’Toole, as well as local MPs, Rick Perkins, and Chris d'Entremont.

January 11, 2022 – Attended an Advisory Committee meeting with Jost + Architects Ltd., as part of the Tourism Public Spaces Project, to discuss the Joseph and Marie Dugas Park.

January 12, 2022 – Attended a meeting with SHS Consultants, Council members, and the CAO to evaluate the bids received from the call for Expressions of Interest for the Sale of Land, as part of the Municipality’s ongoing efforts to implement its Housing Action Plan.

January 13, 2022 – Attended a Board of Directors meeting for the Villa Acadienne.

8) Official Statements from Members of Council
None.

9) Correspondence
9.1 Erin Amirault and Marc Boudreau, Co-Presidents, Conseil de santé de Clare
The CAO read a letter from Erin Amirault and Marc Boudreau, Co-Presidents of the Conseil de santé de Clare. (pdfSee attached)

Marc Boudreau also contacted the Warden to request a meeting to discuss the letter and to clarify a few items. The Warden will report back to Council following the meeting with Mr. Boudreau.

10) CAO Report – Chief Administrative Officer – Stéphane Cyr
The CAO presented his report for the month of January 2022. (pdfSee attached)

11) Committee Reports
11.1 Building Permits Report – Councillor Danny Hill
Councillor Danny Hill read the building permit report for the month of December 2021.

December 2021

Year

Permits

Construction Value

Year to Date

2020

6

$ 83,363

$ 9,582,582

2021

10

$ 266,120

$ 45,994,799

11.2 Waste Check – Councillor Carl Deveau
The Waste Check meeting was held virtually on January 11, 2022. Councillors Carl Deveau and Nadine Comeau were in attendance.

The audited financial statements for Waste Check were approved by the Board.

Collectors have been having issues with sharps in garbage bags. This is dangerous for the collectors. All sharps must be disposed of in a sharps container.

People sometimes get notices on their green bins letting them know why their bins have been rejected on collection day. This is not a form of punishment. These stickers are to let people know what can and cannot be placed in the green bin and are meant to encourage proper composting.

EPR was also discussed at this meeting.

12)  New Business
12.1 Motion to Partner with Les Dames patronnesses de la CJA
At the January 5th Council-in-Committee Meeting, Reanne Titus, President of Les Dames patronnesses de la CJA, provided an overview of the organization, an update on the current uncertainty surrounding this summer youth camp and a request for assistance from the Municipality for the management and operations of this camp, including leading the application process to Canada Summer Jobs, and the provision of balance of funding, for the hiring of 8 summer students for said camp. (pdfSee attached)

Tori Comeau, the Municipality’s Recreation Manager, provided examples of a few other municipal-run summer camps, underscored the synergies with the Municipality’s current summer programming and confirmed her department’s ability and willingness to take on this project (a sentiment shared by both the CAO and the Director of Community Development).

Council remains supportive of the request, citing the important role played by the CJA in the community and its deeps roots in Acadian culture. The following motion was passed:

MOVED BY Councillor Nil Doucet and SECONDED BY Councillor Danny Hill that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare partner with Les Dames patronnesses de la CJA on the management and operations of a summer youth camp, including leading the application process to Canada Summer Jobs, and the provision of balance of funding, for the hiring of 8 summer students for said camp.
MOTION CARRIED

12.2 Motion to Amend By-law No. 20 – A By-law Respecting Deed Transfer Tax, First Reading
As a follow-up to the motion passed by Council in 2021 to increase the Deed Transfer Tax from 0.5% to 1%., and amendment to the Deed Transfer Tax By-law is required. The content of this by-law is concise and for the most part, consistent across municipal units. The CAO has since made the necessary revisions to the current by-law and has received the approval of both the By-law Committee and the municipal solicitor.  At this time, the CAO is recommending Council proceed to first reading. Council agreed and passed 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 read By-Law No. 20, Amendment No. 20-01-2022, a By-Law respecting Deed Transfer Tax, and that the By-Law be read for the first time by title only.
MOTION CARRIED

Councillor Carl Deveau read the following:
BY-LAW NO. 20
A BY-LAW RESPECTING DEED TRANSFER TAX

12.3 Motion to Award Tender – Kitchenette Renovations at the Clare Health Centre
The tender for Kitchenette Renovations at the Clare Health Centre was issued with a closing date of December 21, 2021. A total of two bids were received. Following a review of the bids, both the CAO and the Senior Building Official are recommending the tender be awarded to Shep-Com Construction Ltd. in the amount of $6,614.40 plus HST. Council agreed and made the following motion: 

MOVED BY Councillor Eric Pothier and SECONDED BY Councillor Danny Hill that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare award the Tender for Kitchenette Renovations at the Clare Health Centre to Shep-Com Construction Ltd. in the amount of $6,614.40 plus HST and that these funds be taken from the Municipality’s Capital Reserve.
MOTION CARRIED

12.4 Motion to Award Tender – Renovations, Clare Search and Rescue Association Headquarters
The building currently housing Clare Search and Rescue is owned by the Municipality. Following a recent fire inspection, it was discovered that some renovations were needed in order to meet code. An RFP was issued and two bids were received. Following a review of the bids, both the CAO and the Senior Building Official are recommending the tender be awarded to Delmar Construction Ltd. in the amount of $35,991.08 plus HST. Council agreed and made the following motion: 

MOVED BY Councillor Carl Deveau SECONDED BY Councillor Philippe Gaudet that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare award the Tender for renovations to the Clare Search and Rescue Association Headquarters to Delmar Construction Ltd. in the amount of $35,991.08 plus HST and that these funds be taken from the Municipality’s Capital Reserve.
MOTION CARRIED

12.5 Motion to Approve Funding – Clare Bluegrass Association
Late last year, the Municipality received a request for funding from the Clare Bluegrass Association to aid with ongoing site improvement efforts, including a proposed stage expansion. The amount requested exceeded the total budget available under the Municipality’s Grants to Organizations Program and was subsequently declined. Ultimately, it was decided that rather than contribute an arbitrary amount (i.e., significantly lower than the amount requested) which would likely see the Municipality entertain requests year over year, Council would hold off on funding and asked the group to seek other funding sources, the goal being to leverage possible municipal support in an effort to complete the entire project. An application was later developed with the aid of the Municipality’s community development staff and submitted to the New Horizon for Seniors Program as well as the Province’s Community Facility Improvement Program and containing a possible contribution of $10,000 from the Municipality. However, based on the group’s efforts thus far, and in an effort to further demonstrate community support for this project the CAO is recommending Council formally approve the $10,000 contribution from the Municipality’s Grants to Organizations Program and that this contribution be conditional upon confirmation of the balance of project funding. Council agreed and passed the following motion:

MOVED BY Councillor Danny Hill and SECONDED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare approve a contribution of $10,000 in support of the Clare Bluegrass Association’s site improvement efforts, including a proposed stage expansion, and that this contribution be conditional upon confirmation of the balance of project funding.
MOTION CARRIED

12.6 Motion to Approve Committee Appointments
With the election for District 7 now complete and the appointment of a new Warden, a review of current committee appointments is required. Councillors were asked to review the current committee appointments and contact the CAO before January 19, 2022, should they want to request any changes. Based on this feedback, minor changes were made to the list Committee Appointments. (pdfSee attached) Council agreed with the revised list and made the following motion:

MOVED BY Councillor Philippe Gaudet and SECONDED BY Councillor Danny Hill that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare approve the Committee Appointments as presented.
MOTION CARRIED

12.7 Motion to Appoint a Councillor to the Western REN LOC
The former Warden, Ronnie LeBlanc, was a member of the Western REN LOC with Councillor Yvon LeBlanc serving as an alternate. With Yvon LeBlanc now Warden and Ronnie LeBlanc now MLA for Clare, Council must appoint a new alternate to the Western REN LOC. Councillor Nadine Comeau offered to serve on the Committee. Council made the following motion:

MOVED BY Deputy Warden Eric Pothier and SECONDED BY Councillor Danny Hill Comeau that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare appoint Councillor Nadine Comeau to the Western REN LOC.
MOTION CARRIED

13) In Camera Session
None.

14) Date and time of the next Regular Council Meeting
The next Regular Council Meeting will be held on February 16, 2022, at 7:00 pm.

15) Adjournment
MOVED BY Councillor Nil Doucet to adjourn the meeting at 8:07 pm.

Submitted by:
Ashley Hanks
Executive Assistant