Municipality of the District of Clare
COUNCIL-IN-COMMITTEE MEETING
Wednesday, November 1, 2023, 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, Philippe Gaudet, Carl Deveau, and Nadine Comeau
Staff: CAO, Stéphane Cyr, Executive Assistant, Ashley Hanks, Director of Finance, Ginette Cheff, Communications Officer, Anique Dugas
Presenters:
ABSENT: Councillor Brian Comeau
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 addition be made to the agenda:
- 7.8 Request for Funding – Radio CIFA
MOVED BY Councillor Carl Deveau and SECONDED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau that the proposed agenda be approved with the above noted addition.
MOTION CARRIED
3) Declaration of Conflict of Interest.
None.
4) Presentations
None.
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)
The Director of Finance also proposed a series of revisions to the current Transfer Station fees. Council will review the proposed revisions and further discuss this matter at the December Council-in-Committee meeting.
6) Business arising from Previous Meetings
6.1 Crosswalk at École secondaire de Clare
Earlier this year, Council was asked by a few concerned parents to explore the possibility of putting a crosswalk at the Ecole Secondaire de Clare. The CAO followed-up with the CSAP who confirmed they had no plans to put a crosswalk at the school. Furthermore, introducing a new crosswalk would bring with it incremental costs which neither the CSAP nor the Municipality are prepared to incur. Rather, it was determined (based on a previous discussion of the Police Advisory Board) that an electronic speed monitoring sign could serve as a deterrent to speeding and ultimately achieve the
same results in terms of safety for those students crossing the street. The Municipality is currently considering purchasing one of these mobile signs, believed to be roughly $3,700 plus tax, and will know more following the trade show at the upcoming NSFM Conference from November 7th to 10th. Councillor Deveau will advise the concerned parents accordingly.
7) New Business
7.1 Letter to the Nova Scotia Department of Public Works – Chipseal, Second Division Road
Councillor Deveau is requesting Council send a letter to the Nova Scotia Department of Public Works requesting a review of the unpaved section of the Second Division Road (between the Saulnierville Road and the Maza Road) be conducted in preparation for future chip sealing and/or paving. Councillor Deveau also requested that MLA Ronnie LeBlanc be copied on the letter. Council agreed and made the following motion to recommend:
PROPOSED BY Councillor Carl Deveau and SECONDED BY Councillor Philippe Gaudet that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend sending a letter to the Nova Scotia Department of Public Works requesting a review of the unpaved section of the Second Division Road (between the Saulnierville Road and the Maza Road) be conducted in preparation for future chip sealing and/or paving.
MOTION CARRIED
7.2 Request for Pickleball Courts
Pickleball is Canada’s fastest growing sport, including an increasing number of players from the Municipality of Clare. Several of these players have signed a letter citing the sport’s growth, highlighting the lack of available space for pickleball within the community and requesting dedicated indoor (and outdoor) courts for this popular activity. Although Council does acknowledge the lack of dedicated space within the Municipality for pickleball, there are no immediate plans for the construction of new indoor recreation space. That being said, the Warden did raise an example from Barrington where the local curling club made its building available during the off-season to the local pickleball group, and suggested there may be an opportunity to do the same here. Furthermore, should the Clare Curling Association be open to the idea, there may also be an opportunity for assistance from the Municipality, under its Grants to Organizations Program, to assist with the needed equipment / materials to set up these courts. The CAO offered to pursue these discussions with the President of the Clare Curling Association and report back to Council at a later date.
7.3 Provincial-Municipal Service Exchange Agreement
The proposed Provincial-Municipal Service Exchange Agreement is currently being debated in Province House. These debates have generated significant media attention as of late, in part due to CBRM’s opposition to the proposed agreement. This notwithstanding, the large majority of the municipal units in Nova Scotia are in favor of the agreement.
On October 20th, the CAO was contacted by provincial representatives asking for written confirmation of the Municipality’s stance on this agreement. Due to the stated urgency of the request, the CAO, following consultation with the Warden, provided written confirmation of the Municipality’s support for the proposed agreement. The Province also issued a letter to all municipal CAO’s (with the exception of the CAO for CBRM) requesting that they reach out to their colleagues at CBRM on this matter. Much like the aforementioned debates, this letter also garnered much attention. For his part, the CAO confirmed he made no effort to reach out to CBRM on this issue.
7.4 Federal Enabling Accessibility Program
Employment and Social Development Canada has launched a new program, the Enabling Accessibility Fund, with the goal of making Canadian communities and workplaces more accessible for persons with disabilities. Under this new program, municipalities are considered eligible applicants and project value is expected to range from $500,000 to $3,000,000. Whereas the deadline for application is December 13, 2023, the CAO is asking for Council’s input as soon as possible, in terms of moving forward with a possible project application.
7.5 Letter – Shore Cold Storage & Logistics Inc.
On June 25, 2019, Shore Cold Storage & Logistics Inc. issued a letter to Council stating that the use of their fire hydrant by fire departments would result in said departments being charged a fee. Mark Blinn, President of Shore Cold Storage & Logistics, has since sent a new letter retracting the company’s previous letter and confirming the fire hydrant at Shore Cold Storage and Logistics Inc. is available for use by all fire departments at no charge. Council thanked Mr. Blinn for reaching out. The CAO will advise the CFFA accordingly.
7.6 Nelson Surette Paintings
The Municipality has recently been gifted several original Nelson Surette paintings. A press release will be drafted to properly thank the donor and his family for this generous gift. The Municipality will also have these works professionally appraised in order to ensure they are properly valued and insured.
7.7 Tender – Snow Removal from Sidewalks, Salting and/or Sanding
The Snow removal from Sidewalks, Salting and/or Sanding tender is issued every five years. The current snow removal contract expired October 31, 2023. As such a new tender was issued with a closing date of October 30, 2023. A single bid was received. The bid in question was from the Municipality’s current service provider, Spec Resources Inc. in the mount of $49,500 plus HST, with the price increasing 5% per year over the previous year’s amount, throughout the 5-year duration of the contract. Whereas the quality of the bidder’s work is already known to the Municipality and the bid amount is within the amount budgeted by the Municipality, the CAO is recommending Council accept the bid from Spec Resources Inc. as presented. Council agreed and made the following motion to recommend:
PROPOSED BY Councillor Danny Hill and SECONDED BY Councillor Philippe Gaudet that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend awarding the tender for snow removal from sidewalks, salting and/or sanding (2023-2028) to Spec Resources Inc. in the amount of $49,500 plus HST. This is a 5-year contract, with the price increasing 5% per year over the previous year’s amount.
MOTION CARRIED
7.8 – Request for Funding – CIFA
Radio CIFA’s transmitter building is in need of a new roof. The CAOs from Clare and Argyle have been contacted by Lisa Doucette, CIFA’s General Manager, for financial assistance with the needed repairs. Given the importance of the francophone radio station to Clare and Argyle, both CAOs are recommending their respective municipal unit contribute 50% of the costs, up to a maximum of $2,000 each. Based on price quotes received to date, this amount is believed sufficient to cover the entire costs of the repairs. Council agreed and made the following motion to recommend:
PROPOSED BY Deputy Warden Eric Pothier and SECONDED BY Councillor Carl Deveau that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend making a 50% contribution towards the cost of a new roof for Radio CIFA’s transmitter building, up to a maximum of $2,000, and that these funds be taken from the Municipality’s 2023-24 Grants to Organizations funding.
MOTION CARRIED
8) Questions and Comments from the Public
Greg Muise from Yarmouth thanked Council for having a Questions and Comments section on their meeting agenda. Clare is one of only two municipal units in Nova Scotia to do so. Mr. Muise asked Council for their thoughts on this particular agenda item and whether there have been any issues with it in the past. Council stated that they see much value in this question period as it allows them the opportunity to interact directly with the public and provide clarification when required.
Warden John Cunningham for the Municipality of Yarmouth thanked Council for their comments and advised that he was here to observe the Questions and Comments from the Public portion of the agenda as the Municipality of Yarmouth does not currently do this during their meetings.
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 Personnel Matters
PROPOSED BY Councillor Nil Doucet and SECONDED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau that Council proceed to the Regular Council Meeting.
MOTION CARRIED
PROPOSED BY Councillor Philippe Gaudet and SECONDED BY Councillor Carl Deveau that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend increasing the municipal contribution to the Track and Field Lighting Project from $300,000 to a maximum of $350,000, to allow for the purchase and installation of lighting for the field, and that these funds be taken from the Municipality’s Canada Community-Building Fund Reserve.
MOTION CARRIED
9) Date and time of the next Council-in-Committee Meeting
The next Council-in-Committee Meeting will be held on December 6, 2023, at 7:00 pm.
10) Adjournment
PROPOSED BY Councillor Nil Doucet to adjourn the meeting at 9:40 pm.
Submitted by
Ashley Hanks,
Executive Assistant