Municipality of the District of Clare
COUNCIL-IN-COMMITTEE MEETING
Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at 7:00 pm
Meeting held at 1185 Highway 1, Little Brook
PRESENT:
Council: Deputy Warden Eric Pothier, Councillors Nil Doucet, Danny Hill, Carl Deveau, Nadine Comeau, Brian Comeau, and Philippe Gaudet
Staff: CAO, Stéphane Cyr, Executive Assistant, Aimélie Comeau, Director of Finance, Ginette Cheff and Communications Officer, Anique Dugas
Presenters: Tina Melanson – Clare Community Dog Park
ABSENT: Warden Yvon LeBlanc
1) Call to Order
The Deputy Warden called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.
2) Approval of the Agenda
Councillor Brian Comeau asked that the following additions be made to the agenda:
- 6 Congrès Mondial Acadien
- 7 Property Valuation Services Corporation
Councillor Philippe Gaudet asked that the following addition be made to the agenda:
- 8 Committees of Council
MOVED BY Councillor Danny Hill and SECONDED BY Councillor Carl Deveau that the proposed agenda be approved with the above noted additions.
MOTION CARRIED
3) Declaration of Conflict of Interest.
None.
4) Presentations
4.1 Clare Community Dog Park – Tina Melanson
Tina Melanson delivered a presentation on behalf of the Clare Dog Park Committee, advocating for the creation of dog parks within the Municipality of Clare. (See attached)
Although some questions remain (i.e., location, management, liability, etc.) Council was generally supportive of the idea. In an effort to address some of these questions and aid the group in their efforts to further refine the project concept, the CAO offered the assistance of the Municipality’s Community Development Officer, Réanne Flynn. Once complete, the revised project concept with be submitted to the CAO for presentation to Council.
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)
Following her report, the Director of Finance requested that Council authorize the transfer of $14,040 from the Municipality’s Operating Fund to its Capital Reserve to properly capitalize recent Scada upgrades to the Municipality’s Wastewater Treatment Plant in Belliveau Cove. Council agreed and made the following motion to recommend:
PROPOSED BY Councillor Philippe Gaudet and SECONDED BY Councillor Nil Doucet that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend the transfer of $14,040 from the Municipality’s Operating Fund to its Capital Reserve, to properly capitalize recent Scada upgrades to the Municipality’s Wastewater Treatment Plant in Belliveau Cove.
MOTION CARRIED
6) Business arising from Previous Meetings
None.
7) New Business
7.1 RFP – Construction Management Services, Clare Veterans Centre
The Municipality received 2 bids in response to its Request for Proposals (RFP) for Construction Management Services at the Clare Veterans Centre. Whereas the review of these proposals was ongoing, the CAO requested this item be deferred to the March 20, 2024, Regular Meeting of Council. Council agreed.
7.2 RFP – Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment, 15 Cottreau Road, Little Brook
The Municipality’s parcel of land located at 15 Cottreau Road in Little Brook has been earmarked for housing development. To prepare the site for said development, a Phase 1 Environmental Assessment of the property is required. To this end, the Municipality launched a Request for Proposals which closed on Friday, March 1, 2024, at 3:00 pm. A total of 5 proposals were received. Following a review of these submissions, it is the recommendation of the CAO that Council accept the proposal from All-Tech Environmental Services Ltd. in the amount of $2,800 + 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 accepting the proposal from All-Tech Environmental Services Ltd. for the completion of a Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment at 15 Cottreau Road, in Little Brook, NS (PID No. 30033575) in the amount of $2,800 plus HST.
MOTION CARRIED
7.3 Community Flagpole Request – Accessibility Advisory Committee
The Accessibility Advisory Committee has submitted a request to fly the accessibility flag on the Municipality’s community flagpole, in recognition of National AccessAbility Week, from May 27 up to and including May 31, 2024. This request complies with the terms and conditions set forth in the Municipality’s Flag Flying Policy. Council agreed and made the following motion to recommend:
PROPOSED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau and SECONDED BY Councillor Brian Comeau that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend approving the Accessibility Advisory Committee’s request to fly the accessibility flag on the Municipality’s community flagpole, in recognition of National AccessAbility Week, from May 27 up to and including May 31, 2024.
MOTION CARRIED
7.4 Annual General Meeting – Société historique acadienne de la Baie Sainte-Marie
The Société historique acadienne de la Baie Sainte-Marie has graciously invited municipal Council and staff to it Annual General Meeting (AGM) on March 17, 2024. The AGM will commence at 1:15 pm at la Vieille École – Resto sur Mer in Belliveau Cove.
7.5 Municipal Heritage Property – Former St. Bernard Church
The CAO received a letter from the Société Héritage Saint-Bernard requesting that the former
St-Bernard Church be recognized as a municipal heritage property, citing the building’s exterior features - granite stone and gothic style – as the rationale for this request. The site has long been viewed as a symbol of Acadian culture and community resilience. As such, the CAO is recommending Council action the request from Société Héritage Saint-Bernard and designate the former St. Bernard Church a municipal heritage property. Council agreed and made the following motion to recommend:
PROPOSED BY Councillor Nil Doucet and SECONDED BY Councillor Carl Deveau that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend designating the former Saint-Bernard Church as a municipal heritage property.
MOTION CARRIED
7.6 Congrès Mondial Acadien
In an effort to raise awareness regarding the upcoming Congrès Mondial Acadien (CMA), Councillor Brian Comeau requested a presentation be made by CMA staff to Council focusing on event activities and programming. Council agreed. The CAO will reach out to the CMA’s Executive Director to coordinate a presentation.
7.7 Property Valuation Services Corporation
Property assessments throughout the Province, including the Municipality of Clare, have increased significantly this year. This is turn has generated many questions amongst residents in terms of the assessment process employed by PVSC. To answer some of these questions and provide greater clarity as to the assessment process, Councillor Brian Comeau requested a presentation be made by PVSC to Council. Council agreed. The CAO will reach out to Paul Beazley, Municipal Account Manager with PVSC to coordinate a presentation.
7.8 Municipal Council Committees
As part of the Villa Acadienne’s recent revision of its by-laws, board composition was discussed. More specifically, a plan of action was devised to remove municipal councillors from the board upon completion of their respective terms and in doing so, fill these openings with community representatives. In light of this, Councillor Philippe Gaudet is recommending the Villa Acadienne be removed as a Committee of Council. Council agreed with this recommendation in principle but did have some questions in terms of timing and process. The CAO will explore the matter further and report back to Council at a future date.
8) Questions and Comments from the Public
Mr. Francis Doucet inquired as to whether experts were consulted in the development of the new design for the Clare Veterans Centre. The CAO confirmed that Grey Cardinal Project Management, Rhad Architects, as well as mechanical, electrical, and structural engineers, and the Municipality’s Senior Building Inspector, were consulted.
Mr. Doucet also expressed interest in having the Municipality reinstate a building committee to advise on construction projects.
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
9.2 Public Safety
PROPOSED BY Councillor Carl Deveau and SECONDED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau that Council proceed to the Regular Council Meeting.
MOTION CARRIED
PROPOSED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau and SECONDED BY Councillor Danny Hill that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend awarding the tender for the Meteghan Sidewalk Accessibility Improvements and Extension Project to Garian Construction Ltd. in the amount of $2,674,990 plus HST and that these funds be taken from the Municipality’s Capital Reserve.
MOTION CARRIED
9) Date and time of the next Council-in-Committee Meeting
The next Council-in-Committee Meeting will be held on April 3, 2024, at 7:00 pm.
10) Adjournment
PROPOSED BY Councillor Nil Doucet to adjourn the meeting at 8:50 pm.
Submitted by
Aimélie Comeau,
Executive Assistant