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RURAL MUNICIPALITY OF MISCOUCHE
Monthly Council Meeting
February 14th, 2023

1. OPENING MEETING

Mayor Albert Gallant called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M

Present:
Albert Gallant – Mayor
Allan Parks – Deputy Mayor (Absent)
Jacqueline Lecky- Councillor
Ivan Blanchard- Councillor
Charles MacAusland Councillor
Corey Gillis Councillor
David Hughes- Councillor
Michelle Perry- CAO

2. Declaration of Conflict of Interest: No one declared a conflict of interest.

3. MAINTENANCE REPORT: Monty MacAusland gave the following report:. Everything is going good in the community. We had to order a pallet of salt which will take us to the end of the season.

4. ADOPTION OF MINUTES: Meeting minutes for January 10th, and Special Meeting February 9th,2023 with WSP

MOTION moved by Corey Gillis seconded by Jacqueline Lecky and carried
THAT the minutes for January 10th, and Special Meeting with WSP on February 9th, 2023 be approved as presented.

5. BUSINESS ARISING:

a) West Lagoon Upgrades: Council met with WSP on February 9th, 2023 to go over the drawings for the project. The tender process opened on February 9th and will close March 9th, 2023 at 1:00pm.

b) Miscouche ATV Club: Council received a letter asking for permission to access Parcel ID 548388- 631598 & 862282 to create a trail for the ATV’s. They were also looking for a monetary donation to help them create the club. Councillor Blanchard will be the liaison for the council.

MOTION moved by Corey Gillis seconded by Ivan Blanchard and carried
THAT the community give access to the Miscouche ATV club to access the above PID# as long as they stay out of the playground closer to the road, and as long as it is marked off. As for the property at the West Lagoon, they will need to be on the outside of the fencing.

MOTION moved by Ivan Blanchard seconded by Charles MacAusland and carried
THAT the community donate $300.00 to the Miscouche ATV Club.

c) Budget: Michelle passed out the proposed budget for council to review before it goes to the public on February 28th, 2023 at 6:00pm.

d) Wilfred St: Michelle had a call with the Active Transportation fund and they are still waiting to hear if we have been approved for the project. They stated that they should find out in March, 2023.

e) Office Sharing: with St Nicholas: St Nicholas sent a letter advising that they will not be using the shared office space as at this time they are financially unable to afford the $400.00 a month.

MOTION moved by David Hughes seconded by Charles MacAusland and carried
THAT the community send a letter back to the St Nicholas advising that if they are still willing to pay the $50.00 week for the shared office space then Miscouche will accept that.

f) Annex the property on Kinsmen Rd: Still no word from the planning department in Charlottetown.

g) EMO Meeting: The committee met in January and they discussed what they would spend the $20,000.00 on that committee received from Government. They decided to put a Genlink in the hall in Lot 16, in case they ever had to open that warming center then they could hook up to a generator. They also discussed buying a few more chainsaws and lighting. Also the money was transferred to the community and put in an account earmarked for EMO.

6. COMMITTEE REPORTS:

a) Fire Dept: Councilor Lecky gave the following report: The department had a total of 33 calls so far this year. They have also had 330 hours in training. Adam Gallant was elected as the new training officer. The department also gave a donation of $500.00 to School for their breakfast program and challenge the community to do the same. The bunker gear is still be sent for cleaning. The log book for the trucks are still not created, as there has to be a policy implemented with it. 2 trucks will be going for the safety inspection this month. And the department has a new junior fire fighter which they are now at full capacity with 6 juniors. Chief Woodbury also stated that he the log books will be created by the end of March 2023, and he is now working on a new contact with mutual aid Summerside West. At this time Councillor Lecky asked for the meeting to be closed. She would like to discuss the 3 members that had 30 years of volunteering this year. She requested that some kind of recognition be given to them. Council discussed it nd advised to check with other departments to see what they do.

Meeting was opened back up to the public.

MOTION moved by Jacqueline Lecky seconded by Charles MacAusland and carried
THAT the Councillor Lecky work with Chief Woodbury to see how they can recognize 30 years of service.

b) Recreation, Park, Playgrounds and Green Spaces: Councilor MacAusland gave the following report: Bingo are going good and the jackpots never went yet so the crowds are staying high. All the TV’s have been installed. He also had 4 different quotes for an 8 camera system, however the community would have to pay the electrician to get them wired in. Councilor Blanchard also had a quote for 4 camera’s to be installed in the Fire Hall, which was costing $5,500.00.

MOTION moved by Corey Gillis seconded by Charles MacAusland and carried
THAT the community go with the store brand camera and get a price from the electrician to have them installed.

c) Water & Sewer: Councilor Gillis gave the following report: Corey will be looking into the hydrant and working with Chief Woodbury to see what we need for the hydrant system.

d) Repairs, Maintenance and Village Properties: Councilor Blanchard gave the following report: 2 heat pumps were put in at the Fire Hall, also there was burst pipe in the seniors room 2 weeks ago when the temperatures were well below freezing. Michelle opened a claim with insurance and the deductible is $10,000. We are still waiting for First On Site to assess the damage. Councillor Blanchard also requested a quote for 2 ceiling fans for the fire truck bay. It was also mentioned that there should be a door at the top of the stairs by the fire chief office and one at the bottom of the stairs by the municipal office. Not sure if that will work as it will need to be inspected by the Fire Marshall Office for safety reasons. Councilor Lecky also mentioned that there is no speed signs on Laughlin St, and requested that there be one put up with a 40 km sign.

e) PEI Federation of Municipalities: Councilor Hughes gave the following report: The semi annual meeting was in St Peters Bay on February 11 which he attended. They had some good discussions on land use and municipalities sharing services as well as EMO and what the municipalities are responsible for in there communities and what they have to offer for the municipalities.

MOTION moved by Jacqueline Lecky seconded by David Hughes and carried
THAT the community appoint David Hughes to be on the board of the Federation of Municipalities.

f) Finances, Budgets, Pay Committee, Bylaws and Planning: Councillor Parks was absent, so Michelle gave the following report. The pay committee met and they have some recommendations for council however this will be tabled till the next meeting so Councilor Parks can address council.

9. APPROVAL OF BILLS TOTALING $ 86,183.51

MOTION moved by Ivan Blanchard seconded by David Hughes and carried
THAT the payment of the bills totaling $ 86,183.51 be approved.

10. NEW BUSINESS:

a) Prince County Waste Water: Council received a letter advising that the monthly bill will be going up $250.00 plus HST to cover operating cost.

MOTION moved by Jacqueline Lecky seconded by David Hughes and carried
THAT the community accept the request to increase the cost of operating the Sewer System by $250.00 plus HST monthly.

b) Donation to Consolidated School Breakfast Program. Council received a letter from the Miscouche Consolidated School looking for a donation for their breakfast program.

MOTION moved by Corey Gillis seconded by Jacqueline Lecky and carried
THAT the community donate $500.00 to the Breakfast Program at the Miscouche Consolidated School.

c) Donation to MADD Canada: Council received a letter requesting support for their yearbook.

MOTION moved by Jacqueline Lecky seconded by Corey Gillis and carried
THAT the community donate $100.00 to the MADD Canada yearbook.

11. NEXT MEETING: February 28th, 2023 and Monthly Meeting March 14th, 2023

12. MEETING ADJOURNED

MOTION moved by Corey Gillis THAT the meeting of February 14th, 2023 be adjourned.