October 4, 2023 - Council-In-Committee Meeting

Details

Municipality of the District of Clare
COUNCIL-IN-COMMITTEE MEETING
Wednesday, October 4, 2023, at 7:00 pm
Meeting held at 1185 Highway 1, Little Brook

PRESENT: Council: Warden Yvon LeBlanc, Councillors Nil Doucet, Danny Hill, Philippe Gaudet, and Brian Comeau.
Staff: CAO, Stéphane Cyr, Executive Assistant, Ashley Hanks, Director of Finance, Ginette Cheff
Presenters:  
ABSENT: Deputy Warden Eric Pothier, Councillors Carl Deveau and Nadine 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 changes be made to the agenda:

  • Remove item 7.1 Cultural Hub and renumber items accordingly
  • Add item 7.4 Letter of Support – Clare Bluegrass Association

MOVED BY Councillor Danny Hill and SECONDED BY Councillor Nil Doucet that the proposed agenda be approved with the above noted changes.
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. (pdfSee attached)

6) Business arising from Previous Meetings
None.

7) New Business
7.1 Sustainable Services Growth Fund
The CAO provided an overview of the terms and conditions surrounding the Sustainable Services Growth Funds (SSGF). At the end of fiscal 2022-23, the Municipality received $495,823 under this SSGF. These funds must be used to renew, increase capacity, or create services for housing development, seniors and long-term, accessibility, or active transportation and must be expensed by March 31, 2025. 

As part of the SSGF reporting requirements, the Municipality must now submit a report to the Province outlining the project(s) in which these funds are to be invested.

Whereas the remainder of this discussion focused on active projects for which contracts are currently being negotiated, the CAO requested it be moved in-camera. Council agreed.

7.2 Letter of Support – Far Out Festival
The CAO received an email from Jason Saulnier, President of the Far Out Festival, requesting a letter from Council in support of the organization’s funding application to Canadian Heritage. Council agreed to the request and made the following motion to recommend:

PROPOSED BY Councillor Danny Hill and SECONDED BY Councillor Brian Comeau that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend sending a letter of support to the Far Out Festival, as part of their funding application to Canadian Heritage.
MOTION CARRIED

7.3 Project Update – Municipal Planning Strategy and Land-Use By-law
The Municipality’s efforts to review and modernize its municipal planning strategy and land-use by-law are being facilitated by Stantec. The impetus for this exercise is the legislated requirement that all municipalities adhere to the planning standards put forward by the Province. To this end, the CAO provided an overview of activities planned over the next 1-2 months. These include the preparation of marketing collateral and educational tools, the launch of an online survey, in-person surveys with community stakeholders across various industries, and a public consultation session.

7.4 Letter of Support – Clare Bluegrass Association
The CAO received a request from Russell LeBlanc, President of the Clare Bluegrass Association, for a letter from Council in support of the organization’s funding application to Canadian Heritage. Council agreed to the request and made the following motion to recommend:

PROPOSED BY Councillor Brian Comeau and SECONDED BY Councillor Danny Hill that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend sending a letter of support to the Clare Bluegrass Association, as part of their funding application to Canadian Heritage.
MOTION CARRIED

8) Questions and Comments from the Public
None.

9) Closed Session

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

Topics Discussed:
9.1 Contract Negotiations
9.2 Personnel Matters

PROPOSED BY Councillor Brian Comeau and SECONDED BY Councillor Danny Hill 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 November 1, 2023, at 7:00 pm.

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

Submitted by
Ashley Hanks,
Executive Assistant