Municipality of the District of Clare
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
Wednesday, January 17, 2024, 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, Danny Hill, Philippe Gaudet, Carl Deveau, Brian Comeau, and Nadine Comeau
Staff: CAO Stéphane Cyr, Executive Assistant, Aimélie Comeau, and Communications Officer, Anique Dugas
Presenters:
ABSENT:

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

2)  Adoption 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
None.

5) Adoption of the Minutes from Previous Council Meetings
5.1 December 20, 2023 – Regular Council Meeting

MOVED BY Councillor Carl Deveau and SECONDED BY Councillor Philippe Gaudet that the minutes of the December 20, 2023, Regular Council Meeting be accepted as presented.
MOTION CARRIED

5.2 January 3, 2024 – Council in Committee Meeting

MOVED BY Councillor Danny Hill and SECONDED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau that the minutes of the January 3, 2024, Council in Committee Meeting be accepted as presented.
MOTION CARRIED

6) Business Arising from Previous Meetings
6.1 Feasibility Study – Former Saint Bernard Church
The CAO was recently informed by a representative of Héritage Saint-Bernard that the group is once again planning to move forward with a feasibility study for the building. Council had previously approved $10,000 towards a feasibility study in May 2022 however, efforts were stalled, and the study was never launched. Those funds remain available to Héritage Saint-Bernard and completion of the study in question is a condition of the 3-year municipal tax exemption previously granted to the group by Council. 

7) Warden’s Activity Report – Warden Yvon LeBlanc

December 27, 2023 - Attended a Christmas dinner with the Clare Health Center doctors and medical students.

January 3, 2024 - Attended a meeting with Council and the Member of Parliament for West Nova, Mr. Chris d'Entremont, to discuss our projects and priorities.

January 13, 2024 - Attended the Little Brook Firefighters' Banquet with Councillor Carl Deveau. Here, we participated in the presentation of servicer awards and the unveiling of their new mascot “Sparky”.

January 15, 2024 - Attended the NSHA funding announcement in support of the Clare Health Centre’s expanded operations.

8) Official Statements from Members of Council
None.

9) Correspondence
None.

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

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

December 2023

11.2 Waste Check – Councillor Carl Deveau
Waste Check would like to remind residents that cat litter does not go in the green bins as some brands include products that make them non compostable.

Waste Check would also like to remind residents that as of April 1, 2024, black bags will no longer be accepted, and residents will need to switch to clear bags for residential garbage. For questions regarding this transition, citizens can reach out directly to Waste Check.

12)  New Business
12.1 Motion to Approve Purchase – Accessible Kayak Launch, Wentworth Lake Park
An accessible kayak launch for Wentworth Park was first discussed in July 2023 as part of the Municipality’s efforts to renovate the park and make it more accessible. At the time, the purchase of the launch was deferred to a later date for budgetary reasons. Now, with the recently announced Community Access-Ability Program, the CAO believes there is an opportunity to secure provincial dollars (2/3 of the cost, up to $50,000) and is therefore recommending the Municipality move forward with the purchase of the proposed accessible kayak launch from Eagle Beach Contractors Ltd. in the amount of $55,293 plus HST. Council agreed and made the following motion:

MOVED BY Councillor Danny Hill and SECONDED BY Councillor Carl Deveau that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare approve the purchase of an accessible kayak launch for the Wentworth Lake Park from Eagle Beach Contractors Ltd. in the amount of $55,293 plus HST and that these funds be taken from the Municipality’s Capital Reserve.
MOTION CARRIED

12.2 Motion to Increase Funding - Wentworth Lake Park Parking Lot and Trail Improvements
In order to allow for the construction of a new accessible bridge at Wentworth Lake Park, the CAO is recommending Council increase the funding for the Wentworth Lake Park Parking Lot and Trail Improvements Project by $9,097 plus HST via a change order to its contract with Deveau’s Dirtworks Ltd. Council agreed 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 increase its funding for the Wentworth Lake Park Parking Lot and Trail Improvements Project by $9,097 plus HST, via a change order to its contract with Deveau’s Dirtworks Ltd., to allow for the construction of a new accessible bridge in the park and that these funds be taken from the Municipality’s Capital Reserve.
MOTION CARRIED

12.3 Motion to Approve Funding Contribution – Accessible Infrastructure, Wentworth Lake Park
In order to summarize the incremental funding previously approved under items 12.1 and 12.2, the CAO is requesting a third motion from Council to include as part of the Municipality’s funding application to the Community ACCESS-Ability Program. Council agreed and made the following motion:

MOVED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau and SECONDED BY Councillor Eric Pothier that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare approve a funding contribution of $25,756 plus HST as part of its application to the Community ACCESS-Ability Program for the addition of accessible infrastructure at the Wentworth Lake Park and that these funds be taken from the Municipality’s Capital Reserve.
MOTION CARRIED

12.4 Motion to Award Tender – Roofing, Cape Saint Mary Lighthouse Park
The roof of both the lighthouse and picnic shelter at the Cape Saint Mary Lighthouse Park sustained substantial damage during a recent windstorm. Given the urgency of this matter and to avoid possible further damage to the building structures, the CAO is recommending hiring Kevin Comeau Construction Ltd. to complete the needed repairs. The CAO is also recommending the Municipality allow up to $15,000 plus HST for said repairs. Council agreed and made the following motion:

MOVED BY Councillor Eric Pothier and SECONDED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare award the tender to Kevin Comeau Construction Ltd. for needed roof repairs to the lighthouse and picnic shelter at the Cape Saint Mary Lighthouse Park, up to a maximum of $15,000 plus HST and that these funds be taken from the Municipality’s Capital Reserve.
MOTION CARRIED

12.5 Motion to Award Tender – Rotor Blades, Meteghan Wastewater Treatment Plant
New rotor blades are required for the Meteghan Wastewater Treatment Plant. An amount of $10,000 was included in the Municipality’s 2023-2024 Capital Budget specifically for this purchase. An invitational tender was extended to 3 local manufacturers. Following a review of the bids by both the CAO and the Public Works Supervisor, it is recommended the tender be awarded to Clare Machine Works Ltd., in the amount of $6,615 plus HST. Council agreed and 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 award the tender for the manufacturing of twelve 7’ rotor blades for the Meteghan Wastewater Treatment Plant to Clare Machine Works Ltd. in the amount of $6,615 plus HST and that these funds be taken from the Municipality’s Canada Community-Building Fund Reserve.
MOTION CARRIED

12.6 Motion to Approve Purchase – Tables, Chairs, and Water Filtration System for Hectanooga Firehall
In an effort to bring this project to completion, the staff has requested supplier quotes for the purchase of 50 chairs, 7 tables, and a water filtration system. Following a review of these quotes, it is the recommendation of both the CAO and staff that the tables and chairs be purchased from Ven-Rez Products Ltd. in the amount of $6,827 plus HST, and that the water filtration system be purchased from Crystal Clear Water Services in the amount of $1,600 plus HST. Council agreed and made the following motion:

MOVED BY Councillor Eric Pothier and SECONDED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau that the Council for Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare approve the purchase of the following items for the new Hectanooga Firehall, for a total of $8,427 plus HST, and that these funds be taken from the Municipality’s Canada Community-Building Fund Reserve:

• 50 chairs and 7 tables – Ven-Rez Products Ltd. - $6,827
• Water Filtration System – Crystal Clear Water Services - $1 600

MOTION CARRIED

12.7 Sponsorship Request – Coldest Night of the Year, Shyft Youth Services
The CAO was approached by Shyft Youth Services regarding a sponsorship request for their Coldest Night of the Year event. The Municipality has sponsored this event in previous years, and it is the CAO’s recommendation that it do so once again. Council agreed and made the following motion:

MOVED BY Councillor Brian Comeau and SECONDED BY Councillor Nil Doucet that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare sponsor Shyft Youth Services’ Coldest Night of the Year event in the amount of $500 and that these funds be taken from the Municipality’s Operating Reserve.
MOTION CARRIED

12.8 Letter of Support – Conseil de développement économique de la Nouvelle-Écosse (CDÉNÉ)
The Conseil de développement économique de la Nouvelle-Écosse has requested a letter from the Municipality in support of its funding application to the IRCC Settlement Program. CDÉNÉ’s efforts on the francophone economic immigration file compliment the Municipality’s ongoing efforts to attract newcomers to the region. As such, Council agreed to this request and made the following motion:

MOVED BY Councillor Nil Doucet and SECONDED BY Councillor Eric Pothier that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare write a letter to the Conseil de développement économique de la Nouvelle-Écosse in support of its funding application to IRCC’s Settlement Program.
MOTION CARRIED

13) Closed Session
PROPOSED BY Councillor Nil Doucet and SECONDED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau that Council proceed to an In-Camera Session.
MOTION CARRIED

Topics Discussed:
13.1 Contract Negotiations

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

MOVED BY Councillor Brian Comeau and SECONDED BY Councillor Carl Deveau that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare amend its current contract with DSRA Architecture Inc. to include an additional $225,000 to reflect the expanded scope of the Clare Health Centre Expansion and the additional services required as part of this engagement.
MOTION CARRIED

14) Date and Time of the next Regular Council Meeting
The next Regular Council Meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 21, 2024, at 7:00 pm.

15) Adjournment
MOVED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau to adjourn the meeting at 8:50 pm.

Submitted by:
Aimélie Comeau
Executive Assistant