December 15, 2021 - Regular Council Meeting

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Municipality of the District of Clare
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
Wednesday, December 15, 2021, 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, and Nadine Comeau
Staff: CAO Stéphane Cyr, Executive Assistant, Ashley Hanks, and Communications Officer, Amy Paradis
Presenters:
ABSENT: Councillor Danny Hill

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

2) Approval of the Agenda
The CAO asked that the following revisions be made to the agenda:

Remove 4.1 Colonie jeunesse acadienne (CJA)
Add 9.5 Pamela Mehlman-Shand – Public Works
Add 9.6 Jacques Bellefleure, Sports Director, Université Sainte-Anne

MOVED BY Councillor Carl Deveau and SECONDED BY Councillor Philippe Gaudet that the proposed agenda be approved with the above noted revisions.
MOTION CARRIED

3) Declaration of conflict of interest
None declared.

4) Presentations
None.

5) Adoption of the Minutes from Previous Council Meetings
5.1 November 17, 2021 – Regular Council Meeting

MOVED BY Councillor Carl Deveau and SECONDED BY Councillor Philippe Gaudet that the minutes of the November 17, 2021, Regular Council Meeting be accepted as presented.
MOTION CARRIED

5.2 December 1, 2021 – Swearing in Ceremony

MOVED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau and SECONDED BY Deputy Warden Eric Pothier that the minutes of the December 1, 2021, Swearing in Ceremony be accepted as presented.
MOTION CARRIED

5.3 December 1, 2021 – Council in Committee Meeting

MOVED BY Councillor Carl Deveau and SECONDED BY Councillor Nil Doucet that the minutes of the December 1, 2021, Council in Committee Meeting be accepted as presented.
MOTION CARRIED

6) Business Arising from Previous Meetings
6.1 Repairs – Belliveau Cove Wharf
Portions of the decking on the end of the Belliveau Cove Wharf need to be replaced. Unfortunately, there was a misunderstanding with the previous contractor as to the scope of work and he has since withdrawn from the project. Blue Bay Construction Ltd. was subsequently approached and is prepared to replace the necessary decking (roughly 58 boards) at a cost of $3,675 plus HST. It is the recommendation of both the CAO and the Senior Building Official that Council accept this proposal, thus allowing the work to commence immediately. Council made the following motion:

MOVED BY Councillor Nil Doucet and SECONDED BY Deputy Warden Eric Pothier that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare accept the proposal from Blue Bay Construction Ltd. in the amount of $3,675 plus HST for the replacement of decking on the Belliveau Cove Wharf and that this amount be taken from the Municipality’s Capital Reserve.
MOTION CARRIED

7) Warden’s Activity Report – Warden Yvon LeBlanc

November 6 – Attended a meeting of the Board of Governors of Université Sainte-Anne.

November 23 – Attended a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Villa acadienne.

November 26 – Attended a ceremony for the Bilingual Stop Sign Project recognizing the contributions made by all those involved in this important project.

November 29 – Participated in a guided tour of the new Villa acadienne. The construction is advancing nicely. The official opening is projected for January 2023.

December 1 – Attended a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Conseil de développement économique de la Nouvelle-Écosse.

December 5 – Attended the Winter Festival at the Clare Veterans Centre as well as the official opening of the synthetic ice rink.

December 6 – Attended a meeting of the 11 Mayors and Wardens, with MLAs Chris d’Entremont and Rick Perkins, to discuss the crisis in the lobster fishing industry.

December 7 – Attended a consultation for the Joseph and Marie Dugas Park as part of the Tourism Public Spaces Project.

December 14 – Attended a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Villa acadienne to discuss the ongoing organizational review.

8) Official Statements from Members of Council
Councillor Phillippe Gaudet highlighted the bravery of Tristan Dol, who on September 5, 2021, jumped into the water to prevent a friend, Celine, from drowning while help was on the way. In recognition of this bravery, Councillor Gaudet asked that a certificate be sent to Tristan. Council agreed

9) Correspondence
9.1 The Honourable John Lohr, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing
The CAO read a letter from the Honourable John Lohr, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. (See attached)

9.2 Stephanie MacDonald, Hydro Relicensing Project Manager, NS Power
The CAO read a letter from Stephanie MacDonald, Hydro Relicensing Project Manager for NS Power. (See attached)

9.3 Bruce Kiley, Chief Clerk of the Board – Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board
The CAO read a letter from Bruce Kiley, Chief Clerk of the Board of the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board. (See attached)

9.4 Karen Hudson, Kathrin Winkler, and Carol Millett – 1792 Project
The CAO read a letter from Karen Hudson, Kathrin Winkler, and Carol Millett. (See attached)

9.5 Pamela Mehlman-Shand – Public Works
The CAO read a letter from Pamela Mehlman-Shand, Area Manager for Nova Scotia Public Works. (See attached)

Councillor Brian Comeau suggested sending a letter to Nova Scotia Public Works, advising the Department of Council’s support of the request put forward by Mr. Desautels. Council agreed and made the following motion:

MOVED BY Councillor Brian Comeau and SECONDED BY Councillor Carl Deveau that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare send a letter to Nova Scotia Public Works supporting the request from residents of the Frank Comeau Road asking that the 0.8km section in question be designated a Public Road.
MOTION CARRIED

9.6 Jacques Bellefleure, Sports Director, University Sainte-Anne
The CAO read a letter from Jacques Bellefleure, Sports Director, University Sainte-Anne

Council was supportive of the request, noting the many benefits the pool provides to the community, and made the following motion:

MOVED BY Councillor Philippe Gaudet and SECONDED BY Councillor Nil Doucet that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare write a letter in support of Université Sainte-Anne’s application to New Horizons, for needed repairs to the pool.
MOTION CARRIED

10) CAO Report – Chief Administrative Officer – Stéphane Cyr
The CAO presented his report for the month of December 2021. (See attached)

11) Committee Reports|
11.1 Building Permits Report – Councillor Nil Doucet
Councillor Nil Doucet read the building permits report for the month of November.

November 2021

Year	Permits	Construction Value	Year to Date
2020	26	$ 894,660	$ 9,499,219
2021	20	$ 2,688,300	$ 45,434,653

11.2 Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve Association – Councillor Carl Deveau
The Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve met on October 20, 2021, via Zoom. The Science Atlas is coming along well. This is a long-term project with content added regularly. Efforts are currently underway to translate the Atlas in French.

The Association is going to promote l’Edifice Sainte-Marie in the hopes of bringing attention to the building and ongoing preservation efforts.

Lastly, the Association will be removing the word “Reserve” from its name, as this is often mistakenly associated with a first nations populations, and replacing it with the word “Region”. Other UNESCO groups have already made this change.

12) New Business
12.1 Motion to Accept Proposal – Detailed Design – Clare Health Centre Expansion
Doctor recruitment remains a top priority for the Municipality. In support of its ongoing efforts to recruit new doctors to the community and maintain its existing community practice model, the Municipality is exploring a physical expansion to the Clare Health Centre. To this end, a request for proposals for the Detailed Design of the Clare Health Centre Expansion was issued with a closing date of November 29, 2021. A total of three bids were received. Following a review of the bids, the CAO is recommending Council accept the proposal from DSRA Architecture Inc., in the amount of $189,192 plus HST. Council agreed and made the following motion:

MOVED BY Deputy Warden Eric Pothier and SECONDED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare accept the proposal from DSRA Architecture Inc. for the Detailed Design of the Clare Health Centre Expansion in the amount of $189,192 plus HST.
MOTION CARRIED

12.2 Motion to Accept Proposal – Detailed Design – Wayfinding and Gateway Signage System
The request for proposals for the Detailed Design of the Wayfinding and Gateway Signage System was issued as part of the Tourism Public Spaces Project. It closed on November 19, 2021. A total of five bids were received. Following a review of the bids, both the CAO and Tourism Manager are recommending Council accept the proposal from Denise Saulnier Design, in the amount of $14,500 (inclusive of HST). Council agreed and made the following motion:

MOVED BY Councillor Carl Deveau and SECONDED BY Councillor Nil Doucet that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare accept the proposal from Denise Saulnier Design for the Detailed Design of the Wayfinding and Gateway Signage System in the amount of $14,500 (inclusive of HST).
MOTION CARRIED

12.3 Motion to Accept Proposal – Detailed Design – Cape Saint Mary Lighthouse Experience Centre
The request for proposals for the Detailed Design of the Cape Saint Mary Lighthouse Interpretive Centre was issued as part of the Tourism Public Spaces Project. It closed on November 19, 2021. A total of three bids were received. Following a review of the bids, both the CAO and Tourism Manager are recommending Council accept the proposal from Denise Saulnier Design, in the amount of $35,050 (inclusive of HST). Council agreed and made the following motion:

MOVED BY Councillor Carl Deveau and SECONDED BY Deputy Warden Eric Pothier that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare accept the proposal from Denise Saulnier Design for the Detailed Design of the Cape Saint Mary Lighthouse Experience Centre in the amount of $35,050 (inclusive of HST).
MOTION CARRIED

12.4 Motion to Send a Letter of Support – Scotia Garden Seafood Inc.
The CAO was contacted by Scotia Garden Seafood Inc. for a letter in support of their funding application to the Low Carbon Communities Program for the revitalization of an anaerobic digester site in the Municipality. Thus far, the company has invested significantly in cleaning up the site. With the clean-up now complete, Scotia Gardens Seafood Inc. is focusing its efforts on the digestor itself. Dealings with this company to date have been positive and the CAO is recommending Council issue the requested letter of support. Council agreed and 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 a letter to Scotia Garden Seafood Inc. in support of their application for funding under the Low Carbon Communities Program for the revitalization of an anaerobic digester site in the Municipality.
MOTION CARRIED

12.5 Motion to Adopt Policy – Ice and Snow Control Policy
The Municipal OHS Committee, in conjunction with the CAO, has drafted an Ice and Snow Control Policy for Council’s consideration. This policy is part of the Municipality’s larger OHS plan and clearly explains the responsibilities and timelines for ice and snow removal at the Municipal Office, Clare Health Centre, and Public Works buildings. Council approved of the policy and made 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 adopt the Ice and Snow Control Policy as presented.
MOTION CARRIED

12.6 Motion to Award Tender – Dry Fire Hydrant Project, Clare Veterans Centre
The tender for the Dry Fire Hydrant Project at the Clare Veterans Centre was issued with a closing date of December 10, 2021. A single bid was received. Following a review of the bid, the CAO is recommending Council accept the proposal from Spec Resources Inc. in the amount of $33,480 plus HST, and that this amount be taken from the Municipality’s Capital Reserve. Council agreed and madet he following motion:

MOVED BY Councillor Philippe Gaudet and SECONDED BY Councillor Carl Deveau that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare award the Tender for the Dry Fire Hydrant Project at the Clare Veterans Centre to Spec Resources Inc. in the amount of $33,480 plus HST and that this amount be taken from the Municipality’s Capital Reserve.
MOTION CARRIED

13) In Camera Session

Topics Discussed:
13.1 Personnel Matters

MOVED BY Councillor Nil Doucet and SECONDED BY Deputy Warden Eric Pothier that Council proceed to an In-Camera Session.
MOTION CARRIED

MOVED BY Councillor Carl Deveau and SECONDED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau that Trudy Bengivenni and Edwin Deveau be appointed to the Municipality’s Accessibility Committee.
MOTION CARRIED

MOVED BY Councillor Nil Doucet and SECONDED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau that Council proceed to the Regular Council Meeting.
MOTION CARRIED

14) Date and time of the next Regular Council Meeting
The next Regular Council Meeting will be held on January 19, 2022, at 7:00 pm.

15) Adjournment
MOVED BY Councillor Nil Doucet to adjourn the meeting at 8:42 pm.

Submitted by:
Ashley Hanks
Executive Assistant