Municipality of the District of Clare
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
Wednesday, May 21 , 2014
PRESENT: Council: Warden Ronnie LeBlanc; Deputy Warden Brian Comeau; Councillors: Russell Comeau, Lester Doucet, Nil Doucet, Danny Hill, Hector Thibault and Robert Thibault; Staff: CAO Connie Saulnier and Deputy Clerk Jeannette Doucet.
Others: Municipal Solicitor Hugh Robichaud; and Pam Thibault.
Translators: Germaine Comeau and Richard Landry.
Camera Operator: Jene Dugas Cottreau.
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1) CALL TO ORDER
Warden Ronnie LeBlanc called the Council Meeting to order at 7:20 pm (there was a Hearing of Objections regarding By-Law # 33 and By-Law #29 Amendment #29-01-2014 which began at 6 pm and concluded at 7:15 pm).
2) (a) APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
MOVED BY Councillor Hector Thibault and SECONDED BY Councillor Lester Doucet that the proposed Agenda be approved as circulated.
MOTION CARRIED
(b) CONFLICT OF INTEREST DECLARATION
Warden Ronnie LeBlanc asked for any declarations of conflict of interest from the floor.
None declared.
3) PRESENTATIONS
3.1 Yarmouth Hospital Foundation: Capital campaign for equipment (CT Scanner and Medication Management System): Paulette Sweeney-Goodwin and Brian Saulnier
Paulette Sweeney-Goodwin from the Yarmouth Hospital Foundation (YHF) accompanied by Board members Brian Saulnier (Sea Crest Manager) and Arthur Theriault (AF Thériault & Son) made a presentation to Council regarding the capital campaign for equipment (which includes a CT Scanner and a medication management system) purchased by the Yarmouth Hospital. They indicated that the YHF has to raise funds for 25% of the cost of equipment (the Province pays the remaining 75%). The funding requested for the Municipality of Clare is $37,964. They indicated that both the municipalities of Barrington and Argyle have committed to their portion of the funds.
Warden Ronnie Leblanc thanked the group for the presentation and indicated that Council will discuss the request and get back to the committee.
4) ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES FROM PREVIOUS COUNCIL MEETINGS
4.2 April 23rd, 2014 Regular Council Meeting
MOVED BY Councillor Russell Comeau and SECONDED BY Councillor Lester Doucet that Council Meeting minutes of April 23, 2014 be accepted as circulated.
MOTION CARRIED
4.3 May 7th, 2014 Council-In-Committee Meeting
MOVED BY Councillor Russell Comeau and SECONDED BY Councillor Danny Hill that Council-In-Committee Meeting minutes of May 7, 2014 be accepted as circulated.
MOTION CARRIED
5) BUSINESS ARISING FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS
5.1 Dangerous and Unsightly Premises,
a) Maza Road – Deputy Warden Brian Comeau
Deputy Warden Brian Comeau requested that the Building Inspector send a letter to the owner of a Dangerous and Unsightly Premises on Maza Road, requesting that the property owner clean the property with a time frame; and if the property is not cleaned, that a letter be sent from the Municipal Solicitor to clean the site.
b) Dangerous and Unsightly Premises, Lake Doucette – Councillor Lester Doucet
Councillor Lester Doucet asked regarding the previously discussed Dangerous and Unsightly Premises in Lake Doucette. Solicitor Hugh Robichaud indicated that he had received a call from the resident requesting an extension to clean this property.
Council agreed to give an extension of 4 to 6 weeks for the property owner to have the property cleaned. Council asked that the Municipal Solicitor send a letter on the Municipality's behalf informing the property owner of this extension, however Council asked that the letter indicate that there will not be any further extension.
6) WARDEN’S REPORT
Warden Ronnie LeBlanc listed the meetings and events he attended:
- Dr. Recruit Committee meeting;
- meeting with Charles Gaudet of the CDÉNÉ to discuss projects for the Municipality;
- Graduation ceremony at Université Sainte-Anne;
- Budget meetings.
7) OFFICIAL STATEMENTS FROM THE MEMBERS OF COUNCIL
Deputy Warden Brian Comeau wished to congratulate Irene and William Thériault on their 50th wedding anniversary on May 16th. He asked that a letter of congratulations be sent to the couple.
Councillor Lester Doucet wished to congratulate Eugene Thibault on her 100th birthday. (A certificate has been sent to Mrs Thibault.)
Warden Ronnie LeBlanc asked that letters of congratulations be sent to two (2) Université Sainte-Anne graduates from Clare who have been accepted to Medical School in Sherbrook, Québec: Ariel Comeau and Michel Maillet.
Councillor Robert Thibault indicated that the girls and boys volleyball teams in the regional Jeux de l'Acadie will be going to the Finals in late June and asked that letters of congratulations be sent to both teams.
8) CORRESPONDENCE
8.1 Feed Nova Scotia: request for financial contribution
A letter dated April 25, 2014 (copy enclosed) was received from Feed Nova Scotia requesting a financial contribution from the Municipality of Clare, as well as informing Council they could come give a presentation. Council discussed and agreed that no presentation was required. Council also agreed that the Municipality would not make a donation and it was indicated that residents of Clare have food bank; if residents wished to make any donations they could.
8.2 Université Sainte-Anne: request for $100,000 for new Water Filtration and Disinfectant System on Church Point campus
A letter dated April 28, 2014 (copy enclosed) was received from Université Sainte-Anne requesting financial contribution from the Municipality of Clare towards the purchase and installation of a water filtration and disinfectant system on the Church Point campus. The University had to invest $750,000 for the system. They are asking the Municipality for the amount of $100,000, which could be contributed over a four (4) year period.
Council discussed and proceeded to the following Motion:
MOVED BY Councillor Hector Thibault and SECONDED BY Councillor Lester Doucet that the Municipality of Clare contribute the amount of One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00) over a 4-year period, which would equal Twenty Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) per year for four years, to Université Sainte-Anne towards the cost of purchase and installation of a water filtration and disinfectant system on the Church Point campus.
MOTION CARRIED
8.3 Heart & Stroke Foundation: Resolution RE National Health & Fitness Day
A letter dated April 8, 2014 (copy enclosed) was received from the Heart & Stroke Foundation regarding the new Bill "An Act to establish a national day to promote health and fitness for all Canadians", requesting support by passing a resolution.
Council discussed and agreed to support the resolution which indicates that the first Saturday in June be proclaimed as a National Health and Fitness Day.
MOVED BY Councillor Nil Doucet and SECONDED BY Councillor Robert Thibault that the Municipality of Clare adopt the Resolution which indicates that the first Saturday in June be proclaimed as a National Health and Fitness Day.
MOTION CARRIED
9) PRESENTATION OF 2014-2015 MUNICIPAL BUDGET & MOTIONS TO ADOPT
The Municipal Budget for 2014-2015 was presented. The following motions were made:
9.1 Municipal Tax Rate: MOTION
MOVED BY Councillor Robert Thibault and SECONDED BY Deputy Warden Brian Comeau that the 2014-2015 Municipal Tax Rates for the Municipality of Clare be $1.04 per $100.00 of Assessment as Residential Tax Rate (an increase of 2 cents) and $2.07 per $100.00 of Assessment as the Commercial Tax Rate (same rate as last year).
MOTION CARRIED
9.2 Sewer Service Charges: MOTION
MOVED BY Deputy Warden Brian Comeau and SECONDED BY Councillor Danny Hill that the Municipal Sewer Service Charges for 2014-2015 be as follows:
Meteghan, Meteghan Centre, Meteghan River $ 150 per Unit
Church Point $ 150 per Unit
Belliveau Cove $ 200 per Unit, the same rates as last year.
MOTION CARRIED
9.3 Sidewalk Streetlight Rates: MOTION
MOVED BY Deputy Warden Brian Comeau and SECONDED BY Councillor Hector Thibault that the Sidewalk Street Light Rates for 2014-2015 be as follows:
Highway 1 and Patrice Road – Church Point $ 68.34
Highway 1 – Little Brook and Comeauville $ 40.88
Highway 1 – Saulnierville $ 60.46
Highway 1 – Meteghan River $ 63.84
Placide Comeau Road – Meteghan River $ 75.57
Highway 1 and Peter Dugas Road – Meteghan $ 40.31
The same rates as last year.
MOTION CARRIED
9.4 Due Date and Interest Rate Commencement Dates: MOTION
MOVED BY Councillor Lester Doucet and SECONDED BY Councillor Deputy Warden Brian Comeau that the due date for payment of Municipal Taxes be July 31st, 2014 and the interest at a rate of 1½ % per month, as it was last year, begin on August 1st, 2014.
MOTION CARRIED
9.5 2014-2015 Municipal Budget: MOTION
MOVED BY Councillor Lester Doucet and SECONDED BY Councillor Danny Hill that the 2014-2015 Municipal Budget for the Municipality of the District of Clare be approved as presented on Wednesday, May 21, 2014.
MOTION CARRIED
10) COMMITTEE REPORTS
10.1 Building Permits Report (2-Year Comparison) – Councillor Danny Hill
Councillor Danny Hill presented the building permits reports for the previous month as submitted by the Building Department.
Year Permits Value of Construction
2013 18 $498,600.00
2014 21 $1,736,480.00
10.2 Clare Economic Development Committee (CEDC) – Warden LeBlanc
Warden LeBlanc indicated that there was nothing new to report (meetings will be held every two months instead of monthly).
10.3 Communication Committee – Warden Ronnie LeBlanc
No report.
10.4 Planning Advisory Committee (PAC) – Councillor Danny Hill
Committee meeting minutes of April 8, 2014 were circulated. Councillor Danny Hill indicated that PAC will be holding a public meeting with the residents of Clare regarding a watershed project.
10.5 Recreation Committee – Councillor Nil Doucet
Committee meeting minutes of May 1, 2014 were circulated.
10.6 Clare Municipal Tourism Committee – Councillor Robert Thibault
Councillor Thibault indicated that there was nothing new to report.
10.7 Villa acadienne Board of Directors – Deputy Warden Brian Comeau
Deputy Warden Comeau indicated that there was nothing new to report.
10.8 Waste Check – Councillor Robert Thibault
Councillor Robert Thibault indicated that the committee is looking at ways to cut back expenses for next year's budget, stating that the expenses for the Municipality of Clare has doubled for this year's budget.
11) NEW BUSINESS
11.1 Second and Final Reading, and MOTION to Enact By-Law #33, By-Law Respecting Subdivisions
AND
11.2 Second and Final Reading, and MOTION to Enact "Improvement and Takeover of Private Roads" Amendment # 29-01-2014
Due to the public's input at the Hearing of Objections regarding By-Law #33 and By-Law Amendment #29-01-2014, Council asked that the Planning Advisory Committee (PAC) review the objections received and report back to Council.
MOVED BY Councillor Danny Hill and SECONDED BY Councillor Lester Doucet that By-Law #33 and By-Law Amendment #29-01-2014 be further reviewed by the Planning Advisory Committee due to the objections received at the Hearing of Objections.
MOTION CARRIED
11.3 Cost share for Delegate to serve on F.C.M. Board – MOTION
Warden Ronnie LeBlanc explained that if all 6 regional municipalities were to get together to appoint a member on the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) Board of Directors, that all six municipalities should share the expenses for this member to represent Clare-Digby-Yarmouth area (the Town of Yarmouth does not
wish to participate). The amount for the Municipality of Clare would be no more than $2,819.00 per year (see table).
Council discussed and proceeded to the following motion:
MOVED BY Councillor Danny Hill and SECONDED BY Councillor Russell Comeau that the Municipality of Clare pay a share of the cost of having one (1) delegate from one of the following municipalities : Argyle, Clare, Municipality of Digby, Town of Digby and Municipality of Yarmouth, to serve on the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) Board of Directors, and that such cost shall not exceed Two Thousand Eight Hundred Nineteen Dollars ($2,819.00).
MOTION CARRIED
11.4 EcoParc Development Tender Results
Economic Development Officer, Pam Doucet, explained to Council that the Municipality of Clare did not receive an acceptable proposal resulting from its Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Ecoparc Development Project (closing date was May 9, 2014). She indicated that the budget for the project had been set at a maximum of $80,000 and the only proposal received (which was from Stantec) was not within the budget, the bid price was $98,100 plus HST totalling $112,815).
She suggested that the submission be refused and the Municipality reissue an RFP, within the next few weeks, with a different approach. Council discussed and the following motion was made.
MOVED BY Councillor Robert Thibault and SECONDED BY Councillor Lester Doucet that the proposal received on May 9, 2014 for the EcoParc Development Project from Stantec in the amount of $98,100 plus HST totalling $112,815 be rejected because it was not within the budget.
MOTION CARRIED
11.5 Letter of support "Touring Through Time" – Councillor Lester Doucet
Councillor Lester Doucet indicated that the Southwest Nova Biosphere Association was requesting a letter of support to approve the project to develop a new mapping program. Council discussed and proceeded to the following motion:
MOVED BY Councillor Danny Hill and SECONDED BY Councillor Russell Comeau that the Municipality of Clare write a letter of support to Southwest Nova Biosphere Association regarding their project to develop a new mapping program.
MOTION CARRIED
12) CLOSED SESSION
There were no topics to discuss under closed session.
13) DATE AND TIME OF NEXT COUNCIL MEETING
The next Council meeting will be on Wednesday, June 18, 2014 at 7 pm.
14) ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m. following a motion by Councillor Nil Doucet.
Respectfully submitted by
Jeannette Doucet – Deputy Clerk
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