Municipality of the District of Clare
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
Wednesday, June 16, 2021, at 7:00 p.m.
Meeting held at 1185 Highway 1, Little Brook, NS

PRESENT: Council: Warden Ronnie LeBlanc; Deputy Warden Yvon LeBlanc; Councillors, Nil Doucet, Brian Comeau, Philippe Gaudet, Carl Deveau, Danny Hill, and Eric Pothier
Staff: CAO Stéphane Cyr, Executive Assistant, Ashley Hanks, Communications Officer, Amy Paradis, Accounting Clerks Jeannette Doucet and Josette Doucette, Director of Finance, Ginette Cheff, and Tax Clerk, Susan O’Connell
Presenters:
ABSENT:

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

2) Approval of the Agenda
The CAO asked that the following items be added to the agenda:

  • 1 Staff Retirement - Jeannette Doucet
  • 8 Motion to Authorize Municipal Credit Card – Accounting Clerk
  • 2 Public Safety

MOVED BY Councillor Carl Deveau and SECONDED BY Councillor Danny Hill that the proposed agenda be approved with the above noted additions.
MOTION CARRIED           

3) Declaration of conflict of interest
The Warden declared a conflict of interest with item 12.1 Motion to Award Tender – Project Management Services, Track and Field Facility.

4) Presentations
4.1 Staff Retirement - Jeannette Doucet
The Warden thanked Jeannette Doucet for her 40 years of service to the Municipality of Clare. The Warden stated that it was a pleasure to work with Ms. Doucet as she truly worked for the community by keeping the taxpayers’ best interests at heart. After 40 years of service, the Municipality will be losing an asset in Ms. Doucet. On behalf of Council and Staff, the Warden wished her best of luck on her well-deserved retirement. A certificate was presented to Ms. Doucet.

5) Adoption of the Minutes from Previous Council Meetings 

5.1 May 19, 2021 – Regular Council Meeting

MOVED BY Councillor Danny Hill and SECONDED BY Councillor Brian Comeau that the minutes of the May 19, 2021, Regular Council Meeting be accepted as presented.
MOTION CARRIED

5.2 June 2, 2021 – Council in Committee Meeting

MOVED BY Deputy Warden Yvon LeBlanc and SECONDED BY Councillor Carl Deveau that the minutes of the June 2, 2021, Council in Committee Meeting be accepted as presented.
MOTION CARRIED

6) Business Arising from Previous Meetings
None.

7) Warden’s Activity Report – Warden LeBlanc
The Warden provided a summary of the meetings and events he attended since the last Council meeting.

May 25 – Attended a virtual meeting of the Mayors and Wardens to discuss public safety issues/concerns stemming from the crisis in the lobster fishing industry.
May 26 – Participated in an interview as part of an evaluation process for the Communauté Francophone accueillante initiative.
May 28 – Attended a virtual meeting of the CDÉNÉ Audit Committee
June 1 – Attended a virtual meeting of the Board of Directors of the CDÉNÉ.
June 7 – Attended a meeting with Mainland Telecom for an update on the High Speed Internet Project (fiber optic) in the Municipality of Clare.
June 8 – Attended the virtual AGM of the CDÉNÉ.
June 8 – Attended a virtual meeting of the Board of Directors of the CDÉNÉ.
June 10 – Attended a meeting of the Employment Services sub-committee for the CDÉNÉ.
June 11 – Attended the virtual AGM of the NS Health Network.
June 14 – Attended a virtual meeting of the Waste Check Committee.

8) Official Statements from Members of Council
Councillor Eric Pothier congratulated Lina and Octave McLaughlin on their upcoming 40th wedding anniversary on July 11, 2021. Councillor Pothier will deliver a congratulatory certificate next week.

9) Correspondence
9.1 The Honourable Lloyd Hines, Minister of Transportation and Active Transit, and the Honourable Lena Metlege Diab, Minister of Acadian Affairs and Francophonie
The CAO read a letter from the Honourable Lloyd Hines, Minister of Transportation and Active Transit, and the Honourable Lena Metlege Diab, Minister of Acadian Affairs and Francophonie (pdfSee attached).

9.2 The Honourable Keith Irving, Minister of Environment and Climate Change
The CAO read a letter from the Honourable Keith Irving, Minister of Environment and Climate Change (pdfSee attached).

9.3 Meteghan Lions Club
The CAO read a card from the Meteghan Lions Club (pdfSee attached).

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

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

May 2021

Year Permits Construction Value Year to Date
2020 27 $ 1,633,951 $ 3,239,411
2021 35 $ 1,786,220  $ 35,828,853

11.2 Waste Check – Councillor Carl Deveau
The Waste Check meeting took place virtually on June 14, 2021.

The care of outdoor green carts was discussed. Waste Check is asking residents to remove their green carts from the side of the road as soon as possible after collection.

Residents are doing a great job sorting their waste. District 7 (which includes Clare) is on par with the rest of the province.

Waste Check is working on a sticker system that would allow groups doing community cleanups to identify their garbage and leave it on the side of the road for collection. As garbage cleanups often have a variety of items that may not belong in a specific color garbage bag, this would allow for groups to put this waste to the road for collection without the risk of fines.

Gus Green and Amy Hillyard received their 20 year service awards. Congratulations!

12)  New Business
12.1 Motion to Award Tender – Project Management Services, Track and Field Facility

MOVED BY Councillor Carl Deveau and SECONDED BY Councillor Philippe Gaudet that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare award the Tender for Project Management Services for the Track and Field Facility to Tate Engineering Inc. in the amount of $35,800 plus HST.
MOTION CARRIED

12.2 Motion to Enact By-law No. 38 – A By-law Respecting Flyer Distribution, First Reading
This issue of flyer distribution was referred to the By-Law Committee following many complaints and/or concerns from residents. The goal of this By-Law is to minimize littering and to limit flyer distribution solely to those residents who wish to receive them. The By-law has been vetted by both the Municipality’s solicitor and Waste Check. Council passed 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 read By-Law No. 38, a By-Law respecting Flyer distribution, and that the By-Law be read for the first time by title only.
MOTION CARRIED

Councillor Brian Comeau read the following:

BY-LAW NO. 38
A BY-LAW RESPECTING FLYER DISTRIBUTION

12.3 Motion to Amend By-law No. 31 – A By-law respecting Fire Safety, First Reading
The current By-Law predates the Provincial Burn Safe System. The provincial system conflicts with the Municipality’s By-law, leading to confusion among residents. The proposed amendment addresses these issues and brings clarity to the By-Law. The revised By-law has been vetted by both the Clare Firefighters Association and the Municipality’s solicitor. Council passed the following motion:

MOVED BY Councillor Philippe Gaudet and SECONDED BY Councillor Danny Hill that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare read By-Law No. 31, Amendment No 31-02-2021, a By-Law respecting Fire Safety, and that the By-Law be read for the first time by title only.
MOTION CARRIED

Councillor Philippe Gaudet read the following:

BY-LAW NO. 31
A BY-LAW RESPECTING FIRE SAFETY

12.4 Motion to Award Tender – Washrooms, Meteghan Centre Beach (Maxwellton Road)
The CAO has received requests for washrooms at the beach at the end of the Maxwellton Road. This is a very popular beach amongst residents. Both the CAO and staff believe washrooms would be a welcomed addition at this location and are proposing a model like the one currently in place at the Cape St. Mary Lighthouse Park. Council agreed and at the June 2, 2021, Council-in-Committee meeting, requested the CAO secure pricing for the construction and installation of these public washrooms. Following an invitational tender and subsequent bid review, the CAO and staff are recommending the Municipality proceed with these washrooms at a total cost of $19,989 plus HST. Council agreed and made the following motion:

MOVED BY Councillor Eric Pothier and SECONDED BY Councillor Carl Deveau that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare award the tender for the construction and installation of public washrooms, located on municipal lands near the beach at the end of the Maxwellton Road, as detailed below, for a total of $19,898 plus HST, and that these funds be taken from the Municipality’s Capital Reserve:

  • Gravel for slab – Randy’s Mini-Excavating – $400 plus HST
  • Cement slab and ramp – Gavel Concrete & Masonry – $3,578 plus HST
  • Guards for ramp – Joe Bengivenni – $3,000 plus HST
  • Portable toilets (1 barrier-free / 1 standard) – Polyjohn Canada – $2,320 plus HST
  • Composite building - JD Composites Inc. – $10,600 plus HST

MOTION CARRIED

12.5 Motion to Award Tender – Washrooms, Bourneuf Wharf Road
The CAO has received requests for washrooms at the beach at the end of the Bourneuf Wharf Road. This is a very popular beach amongst residents, particularly those who enjoy clam digging. Both the CAO and staff believe washrooms would be a welcomed addition at this location and are proposing a model like the one currently in place at the Cape St. Mary Lighthouse Park. Council agreed and at the June 2, 2021, Council-in-Committee meeting, requested the CAO secure pricing for the construction and installation of these public washrooms. Following an invitational tender and subsequent bid review, the CAO and staff are recommending the Municipality proceed with these washrooms at a total cost of $19,989 plus HST. Council agreed and made the following motion:

MOVED BY Councillor Nil Doucet and SECONDED BY Deputy Warden Yvon LeBlanc that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare award the tender for the construction and installation of public washrooms, located on municipal lands near the beach at the end of the Bourneuf Wharf Road, as detailed below, for a total of $19,898 plus HST, and that these funds be taken from the Municipality’s Capital Reserve:

  • Gravel for Slab – Randy’s Mini-Excavating – $400 plus HST
  • Cement slap and ramp – Gavel Concrete & Masonry – $3,578 plus HST
  • Guards for ramp – Joe Bengivenni – $3,000 plus HST
  • Portable toilets (1 barrier free / 1 standard) – Polyjohn Canada – $2,320 plus HST
  • Composite building – JD Composites Inc. – $10,600 plus HST

MOTION CARRIED

12.6 Motion to Award Tender – Parking Lot, Bourneuf Wharf Road
In addition to the installation of the aforementioned washrooms at the end of the Bourneuf Wharf Road, a proper 100’ x 100’ parking lot is also being proposed in order to enhance both the functionality and the esthetics of the site. Following an invitational tender and subsequent bid review, the CAO and staff are recommending the Municipality award the tender to Gary Belliveau Construction and Excavation Ltd. in the amount of $14,690 plus HST. Council agreed and passed 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 award the tender for the construction of a new parking lot at the end of the Bourneuf Wharf Road to Gary Belliveau Construction and Excavation Ltd. in the amount of $14,690 plus HST and that these funds be taken from the Municipality’s Capital Reserve.
MOTION CARRIED

12.7 Motion to Send a Letter – Department of Transportation and Active Transit
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. Council would like to send a letter 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 passed the following motion:

MOVED BY Deputy Warden Yvon LeBlanc and SECONDED BY Councillor Eric Pothier that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare send a letter to the Nova Scotia Department of Lands and Forestry regarding the proposed revisions to the existing parking lots at Mavillette Beach Provincial Park.
MOTION CARRIED

12.8 Credit Card
The current Accounting Clerk, Jeannette Doucet is retiring later this month. As such, her municipal credit card will be closed and a new card issued to her replacement, Josette Doucet. The new card will have the same credit limit of $25,000 and will be used for a variety of municipal expenses. In order to issue a new card, the Municipality’s financial institution requires a motion from Council. Council passed the following motion:

MOVED BY Councillor Danny Hill and SECONDED BY Councillor Yvon LeBlanc that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare authorize a municipal credit card with a maximum limit of $25,000 for the Accounting Clerk for the Municipality of Clare, Ms. Josette Doucet.
MOTION CARRIED

13) In Camera Session

PROPOSED BY Councillor Nil Doucet and SECONDED BY Deputy Warden Yvon LeBlanc that Council proceed to an In-Camera Session.
MOTION CARRIED

Topics discussed:
13.1 Acquisition and Sale of Municipal Property
13.2 Public Security

PROPOSED BY Councillor Nil Doucet and SECONDED BY Deputy Warden LeBlanc 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 July 21, 2021, at 7:00 pm.

15) Adjournment
MOVED BY Councillor Nil Doucet to adjourn the meeting at 8:45 pm.

Submitted by:

Ashley Hanks
Executive Assistant