Municipality of the District of Clare
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
Wednesday, November 20, 2024, at 7:00 pm
Meeting held at 1185 Highway 1, Little Brook, NS
PRESENT: Council: Warden Yvon LeBlanc; Deputy Warden Eric Pothier; Councillors Réanne Evans, Danny Hill, Réanne Cooper, Carl Deveau, Brian Comeau, and Nadine Comeau
Staff: CAO, Stéphane Cyr, Executive Assistant, Ashley Hanks
Presenters:
ABSENT:
1) Call to Order
The Warden called the Council meeting to order at 7:02 pm.
2) Adoption of the Agenda
MOVED BY Councillor Danny Hill and SECONDED BY Councillor Réanne Cooper that the proposed agenda be approved as circulated.
MOTION CARRIED
3) Declaration of conflict of interest
None declared.
4) Presentations
4.1 Western Regional Enterprise Network (WREN) – Angélique LeBlanc, Chief Executive Officer
Angélique LeBlanc, CEO of the WREN, presented an overview of the organization, their active files, and the services they offer. (
See attached)
5) Adoption of the Minutes from Previous Council Meetings
5.1 October 23, 2024 – Swearing in Ceremony
MOVED BY Councillor Carl Deveau and SECONDED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau that the minutes of the October 23, 2024, Swearing in Ceremony be accepted as presented.
MOTION CARRIED
5.2 October 23, 2024 – Regular Council Meeting
MOVED BY Councillor Danny Hill and SECONDED BY Councillor Réanne Cooper that the minutes of the October 23, 2024, Regular Council Meeting be accepted as presented.
MOTION CARRIED
5.3 November 6, 2024 – Council-In-Committee Meeting
MOVED BY Councillor Réanne Evans and SECONDED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau that the minutes of the November 6, 2024, 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
September 21 – Attended a meeting of the Board of Governors for Université Sainte-Anne.
October 4 – Attended a meeting with RCMP representatives to discuss the results of an analysis of staffing levels at the Meteghan detachment.
October 9 – Attended a meeting with both the President and Manager of the Transport de Clare to discuss services offered in the community.
October 16 – Attended a meeting organized by MP Chris d'Entremont to discuss the current state of the lobster fishing industry.
October 18 – Attended a press conference to announce provincial funding for improvements to the Belliveau Cove walking trail.
October 22 – Attended a ceremony in Halifax to honour recipients of the Nova Scotia Medal of Bravery.
Novembre 16 – Attended a meeting of the Board of Governors for Université Sainte-Anne.
November 20 – Attended a meeting with Emergency Management Group to discuss the ongoing fire services review.
8) Official Statements from Members of Council
Councillor Carl Deveau congratulated Elaine LeBlanc for organizing and hosting the 2023 Canadian Guards Reunion. The event was a great success with 80 members attending from across the country.
The Warden congratulated Jeannine and Emery Maillet who celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on November 9th, and asked that a certificate be sent from Council recognizing this occasion. Council agreed.
9) Correspondence
9.1 The Honourable Kim Masland – Minister, Nova Scotia Department of Public Works
The CAO read a letter from The Honourable Kim Masland, Minister for the Nova Scotia Department of Public Works. (See attached)
9.2 Raynald Poulin – Grand Knight, Knights of Columbus
The CAO read a letter from Raynald Poulin, Grand Knight, Knights of Columbus. (See attached)
MOVED BY Councillor Carl Deveau and SECONDED BY Councillor Réanne Cooper that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare send a letter to the Nova Scotia Department of Public Works requesting a long-term repair solution be carried out on the P.F. Comeau Road in Comeauville, NS.
MOTION CARRIED
10) CAO Report – Chief Administrative Officer – Stéphane Cyr
The CAO presented his report for the month of November. (See attached)
11) Committee Reports
11.1 Building Permits Report – Danny Hill
Councillor Danny Hill presented the building permits report for the month of October 2024.
October 2024
|
Year |
Permits |
Construction Value |
Year to Date |
|
2023 |
17 |
$ 334,000 |
$ 16,631,570 |
|
2024 |
19 |
$ 2,039,780 |
$ 14,899,835 |
12) New Business
12.1 Motion to Approve Committee Appointments
The Warden and CAO prepared a list of proposed committee appointments based on previously stated Councillor interests and preferences. Councillors were asked to please review the list and communicate any proposed revisions to the CAO prior to the November 20th meeting of Council. Two minor revisions were received and incorporated into the revised list. Council made the following motion:
MOVED BY Councillor Carl Deveau 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
12.2 Motion to Adopt Municipal Code of Conduct
Following significant consultation with municipalities in September 2022, March 2023, and September 2023 on the code of conduct framework, the Code of Conduct Working Group – NSFM, AMANS, ANSV, and DMAH – developed 25 recommendations. The Minister of the DMAH has accepted all 25 recommendations. With the 2024 municipal elections now concluded, the legislative provisions require municipalities and villages to adopt a code of conduct consisting of the model code of conduct as outlined in the regulations. Furthermore, the Minister for the DMAH has prescribed that all municipalities and villages must adopt the model code of conduct within 60 days following the October 2024 election and provide confirmation of their notice of adoption. Should a municipality or village fail to meet the above requirements, municipal funding will be withheld pursuant to the Municipal Grants Act.
After a review of the Code and the proposed recommendations, Council passed the following motion:
MOVED BY Councillor Danny Hill and SECONDED BY Councillor Réanne Evans that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare adopt via the resolution below the Code of Conduct for Municipal Elected Officials Regulations, as prescribed by the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing for the Province of Nova Scotia, the Honourable John Lohr:
Whereas the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing for the Province of Nova Scotia has made the Code of Conduct for Municipal Elected Officials Regulations, N.S. Reg. 220/2024 (“the Regulations”); and,
Whereas municipalities are required to adopt the model code of conduct prescribed by the Regulations on or before December 19, 2024, pursuant to section 4(1) of the Regulations and section 23A of the Municipal Government Act;
Therefore, be it resolved that the Council of the Municipality of the District of Clare hereby adopt the model code of conduct as set forth in Schedule “A” to the Regulations, which shall be titled the “Code of Conduct for Elected Officials of the Municipality of the District of Clare”.
MOTION CARRIED
12.3 Motion to Approve Municipal Tax Write-Off – Assessment Account Number (AAN) 00661562
The CAO informed Council that an error occurred with PVSC which resulted in a tax bill being issued in error. PVSC has since advised that the error has been corrected in preparation for the 2025 municipal tax roll. However, to correct the error which is currently reflected on the 2024 municipal tax roll, the Municipality must write-off the amount in question. Council passed the following motion:
MOVED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau and SECONDED BY Deputy Warden Eric Pothier that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare write off $38.67 in municipal property taxes for Assessment Account Number 00661562.
MOTION CARRIED
12.4 Motion to Send Letter of Support - SolarBank Corp
In their presentation to Council on November 6, 2024, SolarBank Corp requested a letter of support as part of their application to the NS Community Solar Program, for the construction of four proposed solar farms in Clare. The deadline to submit their application is December 15, 2024. The CAO is recommending Council issue the letter of support as requested. Council agreed and passed the following motion:
MOVED BY Deputy Warden Eric Pothier and SECONDED BY Councillor Danny Hill that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare send a letter to SolarBank Corp in support of their funding application to the NS Community Solar Program, for the construction of 4 proposed solar farms in the Municipality of Clare.
MOTION CARRIED
12.5 Motion to Send Letter of Support – Université Sainte-Anne
Université Sainte-Anne is applying to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to assist with the hiring of a Liaison Officer whose role will focus on the creation of ties between the University’s international student population, private sector, and the community at large. No funds are being requested from the Municipality. Rather, Université Sainte-Anne is requesting a letter in support of its efforts to secure IRCC funding. Council made the following motion:
MOVED BY Councillor Réanne Cooper and SECONDED BY Councillor Carl Deveau that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare send a letter to Université Sainte-Anne, in support of its funding application to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
MOTION CARRIED
12.6 Request for Crosswalk - 8236 Highway 1, Meteghan
Councillor Nadine Comeau received a request from a resident asking for a crosswalk to be installed at 8236 Highway 1 in Meteghan. Councillor Comeau is requesting that Council send a letter to the Nova Scotia Department of Public Works to assess the feasibility of this request. Council agreed and passed the following motion:
MOVED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau and SECONDED BY Councillor Réanne Evans that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare send a letter to the Nova Scotia Department of Public Works inquiring as to the possibility of adding a crosswalk in front of 8236 Highway 1, Meteghan.
MOTION CARRIED
13) Closed Session
PROPOSED BY Councillor Réanne Cooper and SECONDED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau that Council proceed to an In-Camera Session.
MOTION CARRIED
Topics Discussed:
13.1 Contract Negotiations
13.2 Personnel Matters
PROPOSED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau and SECONDED BY Councillor Carl Deveau that Council proceed to the Regular Council Meeting.
MOTION CARRIED
MOVED BY Councillor Danny Hill and SECONDED BY Deputy Warden Eric Pothier that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare approve a substantive amendment to the Municipality’s Sunset Road Project (# 05-23-0083), entailing revisions to the project scope and a change of location from Sunset Road in Meteghan River, NS to 8478 Highway 1, Meteghan Centre, NS.
MOTION CARRIED
14) Date and time of the next Regular Council Meeting
The next Regular Council Meeting will be held on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, at 7:00 pm.
15) Adjournment
MOVED BY Councillor Réanne Evans to adjourn the meeting at 9:00 pm.
Submitted by:
Ashley Hanks
Executive Assistant