Municipality of the District of Clare
COUNCIL-IN-COMMITTEE MEETING
Wednesday, January 3, 2024, at 7:00 pm
Meeting held at 1185 Highway 1, Little Brook

PRESENT:
Council: Warden Yvon LeBlanc, Deputy Warden Eric Pothier, Councillors Nil Doucet, Danny Hill, Carl Deveau and Nadine Comeau
Staff: CAO, Stéphane Cyr, Executive Assistant, Aimélie Comeau, Director of Finance, Ginette Cheff, Communications Officer, Anique Dugas
Presenters: Andrea Hyslop – Municipal Advisor, NS Department of Municipal Affairs and Housing 
ABSENT: Councillors Brian Comeau and Philippe Gaudet

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

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

• 1 Andrea Hyslop – Municipal Advisor, NS Department of Municipal Affairs and Housing
• 3 Cape Saint Mary Lighthouse Park

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

 3) Declaration of Conflict of Interest.
None.

4) Presentations
4.1 Andrea Hyslop – Municipal Advisor, NS Department of Municipal Affairs and Housing
Andrea Hyslop, Municipal Advisor with the NS Department of Municipal Affairs and Housing, provided an overview on some of the files currently being led by the Department, including:

• Provincial-Municipal Service Exchange Agreement – Establishes a clear understanding of roles and responsibilities between the provincial and municipal levels of government. The renegotiated agreement will take effect April 1, 2024.

• The Municipal Code of Conduct – The new code, including recommendations, have been put forward to the minister for review and approval. Implementation is expected prior to the 2024 municipal elections.

• The MGA review – The review is still in progress. Updates are expected later this year.

• Cell Phone Coverage - Equipment is being installed on existing, provincially owned cell towers in an effort to improve and expand cell phone coverage.

• Extensive Producer Responsibility (EPR) – Full implementation is expected by December 2025.

5) Staff Reports  
5.1 Financial Update – Ginette Cheff, Director of Finance
The Director of Finance provided an overview of the Municipality’s financial position. (See attached)

6) Business arising from Previous Meetings
None.

7) New Business
7.1 Hectanooga Firehall      
In an effort to bring this project to completion, 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 $6,827.05 plus HST, and that the water filtration system be purchased from Crystal Clear Water Services in the amount of $1,600.00 plus HST. Council agreed and made the following motion to recommend:

PROPOSED BY Deputy Warden Eric Pothier and SECONDED BY Councillor Danny Hill that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend purchasing the following items for the new Hectanooga Firehall, for a total of $8,427.05 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. - $6,827.05

• Water Filtration System – Crystal Clear Water Services - $1 600.00

 MOTION CARRIED

 7.2 Accessible Kayak Launch – Wentworth 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 to recommend:

PROPOSED BY Councillor Carl Deveau and SECONDED BY Councillor Danny Hill that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend purchasing an accessible kayak launch for Wentworth 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

7.3 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 allot up to $15,000 plus HST for said repairs. Council agreed and made the following motion to recommend:

PROPOSED BY Councillor Carl Deveau and SECONDED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend hiring 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

8) Questions and Comments from the Public
None.   

9) Closed Session

PROPOSED BY Councillor Nil Doucet and SECONDED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau that Council proceed to closed session.
MOTION CARRIED

Topics Discussed:
9.1 Contract Negotiations

PROPOSED BY Councillor Nil Doucet and SECONDED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau 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 February 7, 2024, at 7:00 pm.

10) Adjournment
PROPOSED BY Councillor Carl Deveau to adjourn the meeting at 8:18 pm.

Submitted by
Aimélie Comeau,
Executive Assistant