Municipality of the District of Clare
COUNCIL-IN-COMMITTEE MEETING
Wednesday, June 2, 2021, at 7:00 pm
Meeting held virtually via Microsoft Teams

PRESENT: Council: Warden Ronnie LeBlanc, Deputy Warden Yvon LeBlanc, Councillors, Nil Doucet, Philippe Gaudet, Carl Deveau, Brian Comeau, Danny Hill, and Eric Pothier
Staff: CAO, Stéphane Cyr, Executive Assistant, Ashley Hanks, and Communications Officer, Amy Paradis
Presenters:
ABSENT:  

1) Call to Order
The Warden called the 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 presented.
MOTION CARRIED           

3) Declaration of Conflict of Interest
None declared.

4) Presentations
None.

5) Staff Reports
None.

6) Business arising from Previous Meetings
None.

7) New Business
7.1 Motion to Award Tender – Project Management Services, Track and Field Facility
As per the contribution agreement between the Municipality and both the Federal and Provincial governments for the new track and field facility at Université Sainte-Anne, the Municipality must engage third party project management services. This is a standard clause under this particular funding program. To that end, an RFP was issued with a closing date of May 28, 2021. A total of three bids were received. Following a review of these bids in consultation with Université Sainte-Anne, the CAO is recommending the Municipality award the contract for project management services to Tate Engineering Inc. in the amount of $35,800 plus HST. Council agreed 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 awarding the RFP for Project Management Services for the Track and Field Facility to Tate Engineering Inc. in the amount of $35,800 plus HST.
MOTION CARRIED

7.2 Draft By-law – Flyer Distribution
The By-law Committee met on May 17th. During this meeting, a draft flyer distribution by-law was developed for Council’s consideration. This by-law closely mirrors the one currently in place in HRM and has been vetted by both the Municipality’s solicitor and Waste Check. Council expressed its support for this by-law and agreed to present it for First Reading at the Regular Council Meeting on June 16, 2021.

7.3 Draft By-law Amendments – Fire Protection
The By-law Committee met on May 17th. During this meeting, a draft amendment to the Municipality’s current fire prevention by-law was developed for Council’s consideration. The impetus for this amendment was to do away with existing inconsistencies between the Municipality’s by-law and the burn safe directives put forward by the Nova Scotia Department of Lands and Forestry.  Council expressed its support for this by-law amendment and agreed to present it for First Reading at the Regular Council Meeting on June 16, 2021.

7.4 Meeting with the Honourable Brendan Maguire, Minister of Public Affairs
The Nova Scotia Department of Municipal Affairs is seeking to coordinate a virtual meeting between its Minister, the Honourable Brendan Maguire, and Council. Unfortunately, the date proposed was not possible as it provided Council little more than 24 hours notice. The CAO has followed up with DMA representatives and a date and time is now being sought for the second week of June. In preparation for this meeting, the Warden and CAO are asking Council to begin giving some thought to topics they may wish to discuss during this meeting. The following topics were put forward:

• Public safety (as it relates to the ongoing lobster dispute)
• PVSC and the CAP
• Housing Action Plan
• Housing Nova Scotia and the Municipality’s NOL Share
• Rural Internet and our partnership with Mainland Telecom
• Immigration

If other discussion points come to mind prior to the meeting, Councillors are asked to forward these to the CAO.

7.5 Request for Washrooms – Meteghan Centre Beach (Maxwellton Road)
The CAO has received requests for washrooms at the beach at the end of both the Maxwellton Road and the Bourneuf Wharf Road. These are very popular beaches amongst residents. Both the CAO and staff believe washrooms would be a welcomed addition at these locations and are proposing a model like the one currently in place at the Cape St. Mary Lighthouse Park. The CAO is also recommending a parking lot be constructed on municipal lands at the end of the Bourneuf Wharf Road. Council expressed interest and made the following motion to recommend:

PROPOSED BY Councillor Eric Pothier and SECONDED BY Councillor Nil Doucet that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend instructing the CAO to secure pricing for the construction and installation of public washrooms, located on municipal lands near the beaches at the end of both the Maxwellton Road and the Bourneuf Wharf Road, as well as for the construction of a new parking lot at the end of the Bourneuf Wharf Road.
MOTION CARRIED

7.6 Parking Lots – Mavillette Beach
The parking lot at Mavillette Beach nearest to the bridge is likely being closed and the centre parking lot expanded. A provincial planner from the Department of Lands and Forestry will be onsite to assess these proposed revisions. The CAO and Tourism Manager have requested a meeting with the planner to discuss this issue and other development opportunities for Mavillette Beach. This notwithstanding, Deputy Warden LeBlanc is recommending a letter be sent to the Department outlining the importance of these parking lots, as well as the recommended site improvements to Mavillette Beach as part of the Municipality’s Tourism Public Spaces Project. Council agreed and made the following motion to recommend:

PROPOSED BY Deputy Warden Yvon LeBlanc and SECONDED BY Councillor Danny Hill that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend sending a letter to the Nova Scotia Department of Lands and Forestry regarding the proposed revisions to the existing parking lots at Mavillette Beach.
MOTION CARRIED

7.7 Sidewalk – 9806 Highway 1, Saulnierville
This section of sidewalk has been damaged due to the high volume of heavy truck traffic crossing the sidewalk and will need to be repaired. The CAO will speak with the Municipal solicitor for guidance as to who is responsible for these repairs and advise both the property owner and Council accordingly.

7.8 Gas Tax Allocation 2021-2022
The Gas Tax Fund has been renamed the Canada Community Building Fund. Furthermore, in addition to its allotment of $385,324 for fiscal 2021-22, the Municipality will be receiving an additional top up of $368,049, bringing its total for the year to $753,373.

8) Questions and Comments from the Public
None.

9) Closed Session

PROPOSED BY Councillor Nil Doucet and SECONDED BY Deputy Warden Yvon LeBlanc that Council proceed to closed session.
MOTION CARRIED

Topics Discussed:
9.1 Acquisition and Sale of Municipal Property

PROPOSED BY Councillor Nil Doucet and SECONDED BY Deputy Warden Yvon LeBlanc 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 7, 2021, at 7:00 pm.

10) Adjournment
PROPOSED BY Councillor Nil Doucet to adjourn the meeting at 8:37 pm

Submitted by
Ashley Hanks
Executive Assistant