Municipality of the District of Clare
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
Wednesday, January 20th, 2015 at 7pm
PRESENT: Council: Warden Ronnie LeBlanc, Deputy Warden Brian Comeau; Councillors, Lester Doucet, Nil Doucet, Hector Thibault, Russell Comeau and Robert Thibault.
Staff: CAO Stéphane Cyr, Administrative Assistant to the CAO, Alain Poirier.
Public: Few residents from Senior in Safety Committee.
ABSENT: Councillor Danny Hill
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1) Call to order
Warden Ronnie LeBlanc called the Council Meeting to order at 7pm.
2) (a) Approval of the agenda
MOVED BY Councillor Lester Doucet and SECONDED BY Councillor Nil Doucet
that the proposed agenda be adopted as presented.
MOTION CARRIED
(b) Declaration of conflict of interest
Warden Ronnie LeBlanc asked for any declarations of conflict of interest.
None declared
3) Presentation
3.1 Seniors in Safety – Alphonsine Saulnier
Mrs. Alphonsine Saulnier, Chairperson of the Seniors in Safety Committee presented a report outlining what they do for seniors, and asking for the renewal of the financial contribution they receive every 3 years from the Municipality of Clare. Mrs. Saulnier mentioned how important this financial contribution is for the Committee and that these funds help them keep seniors safe in the Clare region.
Corporal Jaime Lutz, RCMP officer for the Meteghan detachment read a report detailing some of the instances in which the RCMP collaborated with the Committee.
Council thanked all the volunteers for all the work they are doing with the seniors in Clare. Warden Ronnie LeBlanc mentioned that Council will have to wait until the new budget is completed before confirming their response to this request.
4) Adoption of the minutes from previous council meetings
4.1 December 16th, 2015: Regular Council Meeting
MOVED BY Councillor Hector Thibault and SECONDED BY Councillor Lester Doucet that the Minutes of December 16th, 2015, be accepted as circulated.
MOTION CARRIED
4.2 January 6th, 2016: Council-in-Committee Meeting
MOVED BY Councillor Lester Doucet and SECONDED BY Councillor Russell Comeau
that the Minutes of January 6th, 2016, be accepted as circulated.
MOTION CARRIED
5) Business arising from previous meetings
5.1 Saint Bernard Fire Department
CAO Stéphane Cyr gave an update on the new Saint Bernard Fire Department project. He mentioned that he met with the Building Inspector, Arnold Comeau, to review the plans that were drafted a couple of years ago. M. Comeau said that in his opinion the price would increase by a minimum of 15% from what was previously given.
CAO Stéphane Cyr mentioned that he met with Daniel Gaudet, Vice-President of the Clare Firefighters Association and said that Mr. Gaudet will review the different specifications for this project.
5.2 Dangerous and Unsightly
CAO Stéphane Cyr gave an update regarding the dangerous situation in Lake Doucette, which was mentioned in the last Council-in-committee meeting. The well in question has since been covered and is now secure.
6) Warden’s Activity Reports – Warden Ronnie LeBlanc
Warden Ronnie LeBlanc listed the meetings and events he attended since the last Council meeting:
December 22 Christmas dinner with the students in medicine at Cuisine Robichaud.
December 28 Interview with the Ottawa newspaper “Le Droit” for the Réseau des villes francophones et francophiles d’Amérique.
January 15 Liaison & Oversight Committee meeting for the WREN at the Municipal office.
7) Official statements from the members of Council
None
8) Correspondance
8.1 Thank you letter – Alex Comeau
CAO Stéphane Cyr read a letter from Mr. Alex Comeau who thanked Council for their contribution regarding his trip to Jakarta.
8.2 Thank you letter – Clare Chamber of Commerce
CAO Stéphane Cyr read a letter from the Chamber of Commerce who thanked the Municipality of Clare for their contribution towards the project ''Magasiner à la Baie''. The project was a big success again this year.
8.3 Request – Petite Chapelle committee
CAO Stéphane Cyr read a letter from the Petite Chapelle Committee, stating they have done a lot of work restoring la petite chapelle after it was vandalized last year and are now asking the Municipality of Clare for funds to purchase 3 picnic tables and a recycling bin. Council decided to approve the request. Funds will be taken from the next budget. Council passed the following motion.
PROPOSED BY Councillor Robert Thibault and SECONDED BY Councillor Nil Doucet that Council for the Municipality of Clare accept the request in the amount of one thousand dollars ($1,000) for the Petite Chapelle Committee, to buy picnic tables and a recycling bin.
MOTION CARRIED
8.4 By-Law regarding lakefront land use – Tom Griffiths.
CAO Stéphane Cyr read a letter from Mr. Tom Griffiths expressing his concerns regarding lakefront land use. Mr. Griffiths mentioned in his letter that some people are using lakefront property as makeshift trailer parks. This practice is problematic for both neighboring properties and the environment. More specifically, Mr. Griffiths explained that some of those lands are getting contaminated and for some homeowners, it’s decreasing their property value. Council suggested that this letter be referred to the Planning and Advisory Committee.
9) C.A.O. Report – Chief Administrative Officer- Stéphane Cyr
(see attachment)
10) Committee Reports.
10.1 Building Permits Reports: Deputy Warden, Brian Comeau
Deputy Warden Brian Comeau presented the building permits report for the month of December, as submitted by the Building Department, in the absence of Councillor Danny Hill.
December
Year Permits Construction Value
2014 15 $369,108
2015 8 $950,420
10.2 Planning Advisory Committee: Councillor Robert Thibault
Councillor Robert Thibault reported that the discussion of the last meeting was mostly related to Clare watersheds, explaining that Clare needs to have protected water areas for potential future source of municipal water and should not only depend on residential wells. The committee is planning to have a public meeting in March 2016 to consult with residents regarding these watersheds.
10.3 Villa Acadienne: Deputy Brian Comeau
No report
10.4 Waste Check: Councillor Robert Thibault
No report
10.5 Police Advisory – Councillor Nil Doucet
No report, the next meeting will be February 1st, 2016
10.6 Public Works – Deputy Warden Brian Comeau
Deputy Warden Brian Comeau explained that the Public Works Committee recently had a meeting to discuss snow removal on sidewalks. It was decided that all calls or inquiries from the service provider are to be forwarded to the CAO. If the problem is isolated (1-2 spots), a decision may be taken at the CAO’s discretion and later reported to the committee. If the problem is widespread, the Public Works Operator or the Building Inspector will be asked by the CAO to conduct an assessment in conjunction with the service provider so as to confirm the region(s) needing service and to provide a cost estimate and timeline for completion. The cost estimate and timeline for completion will be communicated to the CAO and circulated to the Committee for approval. The direction will be provided to the service provider within 24 hours and the funds will be taken from operating surpluses when available or, in the absence of such a surplus, from operating reserves
11) New business
11.1 Motion to change Signing Authority (CAO)
PROPOSED BY Councillor Lester Doucet and SECONDED BY Councillor Russell Comeau that the Council for the Municipality of Clare change staff signing authorities as follows:
From: Jeannette Doucet, Accounting Clerk and Connie Saulnier, CAO
To: Stéphane Cyr, CAO and Connie Saulnier Director of Finance
MOTION CARRIED
11.2 Motion to appoint Mark Doucet as EMO Coordinator
PROPOSED BY Councillor Hector Thibault and SECONDED BY Councillor Russell Comeau that the Council for the Municipality of Clare appoint Mark Doucet as the EMO Coordinator for the Municipality of Clare.
MOTION CARRIED
11.3 Motion – First reading Committee of the Whole By-Law #36
CAO Stéphane Cyr mentioned that this item is a follow up to what had been discussed at the previous Committee of the Whole meeting.
Council mentioned that a minor change should be made to section 10 of the by-law, stating that members of the public wishing to address Council can only do so regarding items discussed earlier on the agenda that day.
PROPOSED BY Councillor Robert Thibault and SECONDED BY Councillor Hector Thibault that the Municipality of the District of Clare read By-Law No. 36, a By-Law Respecting the Committee of the Whole and that the By-Law be read for the first time by title only.
By-Law No.36 A by-law respecting the committee of the whole.
MOTION CARRIED
11.4 Motion to approve funding request – Ekphrasis Studio
Warden Ronnie LeBlanc mentioned that this non-profit organization came to present their project “Endangered Music in St. Mary's Bay in December 2015. CAO Stéphane Cyr reiterated that the group was asking for a thousand dollars ($1,000) as a contribution towards their project. Council passed the following motion:
PROPOSED BY Councillor Nil Doucet and SECONDED BY Councillor Russell Comeau that the Municipality of the District of Clare approve a grant in the amount of one thousand dollars ($1,000) to Ekphrasis Studio, for use towards their project “Endangered music in St-Mary’s Bay”
MOTION CARRIED
11.5 Motion to purchase car charging station
Warden Ronnie LeBlanc mentioned that this subject was presented in December.
PROPOSED BY Councillor Lester Doucet and SECONDED BY Councillor Hector Thibault that Council of the Municipality of District of Clare reallocate the amount of one thousand six hundred dollars ($1,600) which was budgeted for the installation of 3 car charging stations and allocate it for the purchase of one car charging station to be located on Université Sainte-Anne Church Point campus..
MOTION CARRIED
11.6 Motion to approve streetlights for John Thibodeau Road
Warden Ronnie LeBlanc explained that Riverside Lobster Inc. asked Council to contact Nova Scotia Power to install lights along the John Thibodeau Road, starting from Highway 1 to their facilities. Council passed the following motion:
PROPOSED BY Councillor Russell Comeau and SECONDED BY Councillor Nil Doucet that the Council for the Municipality of Clare set an area rate to cover the cost of installation and maintenance of all the street lights located on the John Thibodeau Road, from Highway 1 to the coast and that Riverside Lobster International Inc. become responsible for the full payment of the area rate on this section of the road.
MOTION CARRIED
11.7 Motion regarding By-Law #31
Warden Ronnie LeBlanc explained that members of the Clare Firefighters Association came at the Council-in-committee meeting on October 7th, 2015 to present their concerns regarding the actual by-law. M. Gaudet suggested that Council should consider an amendment to the actual by-law. Council has proceeded with the formal process of amending the by-law. Council passed the following motion:
PROPOSED BY Councillor Hector Thibault and SECONDED BY Councillor Lester Doucet that the Municipality of Clare read By-Law No.31 Amendment No. 31-01-15, a By-Law to read for the second and final time, thereby enacting the By-Law Amendment.
MOTION CARRIED
11.8 Motion to issue letter of intent to Trane
CAO Stéphane Cyr explained that a formal letter of intent was required from the Municipality by Trane prior to sending their employees to look at the heating system at the Clare Health Centre. Council passed the following motion:
PROPOSED BY Councillor Robert Thibault and SECONDED BY Councillor Lester Doucet that the Council for the Municipality of Clare issue a letter of intent to Trane Commercial Systems to engage a Trane Engineer and Controls Project Developer to visit the site to perform a more involved review of the system and controls at the Clare Health Center.
MOTION CARRIED
11.9 Request from NS Department of Justice to set a date for review of Police Resourcing Study
CAO Stéphane Cyr mentioned that the information regarding the date came in after the Agenda has been circulated. The date of the review has been set for 9:30am on February 17th at the Digby municipal building.
12) Closed Session
PROPOSED BY Councillor Nil Doucet and SECONDED BY Councillor Lester Doucet that the Council proceed to an In Camera Session.
MOTION CARRIED
Topic discussed:
12.1 Garbage Contract,
12.2 Snow Removal Contract,
12.3 Recycling Plant
12.4 Municipal Finance Corporation
PROPOSED BY Councillor Nil Doucet and SECONDED BY Councillor Hector Thibault
that the Council proceed to the Regular Council Meeting.
MOTION CARRIED
13) Date and time of next Regular Council Meeting
The next Regular Council Meeting will be held on February 17th 2016 at 7PM.
14) Adjournment
PROPOSED BY Councillor Nil Doucet to adjourn the meeting at 9:10pm
Submitted by
Alain Poirier,
Administrative Assistant of the CAO