COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES- September 10 2024

RURAL MUNICIPALITY OF MISCOUCHE
Monthly Council Meeting
September 10th, 2024

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

Present:
Albert Gallant  – Mayor
Allan Parks – Deputy Mayor
Ivan Blanchard- Councillor (Absent)
Charles MacAusland  Councillor
Corey Gillis  Councillor
Patrick MacLellan Councillor
Jonathan Gallant Councillor
Michelle Perry- CAO

2. Declaration of Conflict of Interest: Mayor Gallant declared a Conflict of Interest under 8 c

3. MAINTENANCE REPORT: Monty MacAusland gave the following report: The Bobcat has been sold for $15,700.00, and there was a blockage at 22 Lady Slipper Dr S but it was the homeowner issue, and 8 Cunningham Dr.  The lateral was replaced to the main.

4. ADOPTION OF MINUTES: Monthly Meeting August 13th, 2024

MOTION moved by Charles MacAusland seconded by Corey Gillis and carried
THAT the minutes for the  Monthly Meeting August 13th,  2024 be approved as presented.

5. BUSINESS ARISING:
a) West Lagoon Upgrades: The 4th claim was submitted to be paid and the final bill will; be submitted once the deficiency list has been competed.
b) Hydrant: The electrical will be done in about 2-3 weeks the electrician is scheduling it with Maritime Electric.
c) Generator for the Rec Center: The generator has landed on PEI and CAO Perry is waiting for word on when it will be installed.  ACOA extended the project till the end of October. .
d) Unsightly Property 100 Lady Slipper Dr S: The resident is still progressing on the project.
e) Gas Tax 5 year Plan: Council had time to think about this from the last meeting.

MOTION moved by Jonathan Gallant seconded by Pat MacLellan and carried
THAT the community put $300,000 towards UV Chamber $100,000 towards sewer upgrades and $100,000 towards the new product to clean the lagoon if allowed.

f) Phase 2 Kinsmen Rd: Council still has not received any drawings for Phase 2 yet.
g) 95 Lady Slipper Dr S: The resident had a pit test done and it came back at Category 1, and now they are working on getting a preliminary drawing done showing the 150 ft circle on the property for the well and septic to fit in.

6. COMMITTEE REPORTS:
a) Fire Dept: Councilor MacAusland gave the following report: The monthly meeting was postponed, but he did take a drive in the fire truck to the new well and they will have lots of room for the trucks and to maneuver to the well.
b) Recreation, Park, Playgrounds and Green Spaces: Councilor J Gallant gave the following report: Bingo are going good there was an average of 90 people per evening over the last 3 weeks and the amount brought in was $3,000. The playground equipment was installed in both parks and a picture was taken with the legion members that will be posted in the newsletter next quarter.  Also the sign for the park thanking the Legion for the donation will be picked up tomorrow. Mayor Gallant advised that he received a complaint about the wood chips at the new playground and that this can be a fire hazard.  He was advised that the chips are synthetic and they hold water so that they are safe.
c)  Water & Sewer:  Councilor Gillis gave the following report: There was another blockage in the fire hall that had to be snaked and videoed. There is a couple of dips in the line, that will need to be looked into if they become an issue again.  They will video it in a couple of weeks to see if there is any change after a lot of usage. It was suggested that if and when the line needs to be fixed that council really think about doing it correctly and digging up from the new part out to the road and replacing the line.

MOTION moved by Charles MacAusland seconded by Jonathan Gallant and carried
THAT the community when its time to fix the line in the fire hall bay that it is dug up and done correctly.

d) Repairs, Maintenance and Village Properties: Councilor Blanchard was absent for the report:: The windows in the front of the fire hall were painted and the sides ones are suppose to be done as well. Councillor Gillis wanted to bring to the council attention that the grates in the fire hall are going to have to be looked at as the metal inside the grate is starting to shift and this can be dangerous.  Council will have to look into this to see what can be done. Councillor Gillis also wanted to know if there is anyway that a crosswalk can be put in on the main highway between Monaghan and McMillan St.  He was advised that the community had tried before to put in a crosswalk at school st and highways would not do it.  Council advised that if he wants to look into with highways to see what they say.
e) PEI Federation of Municipalities: Councillor MacLellan gave the following report: There was no meeting last month and the meeting for September might be rescheduled again as well.
f) Finances:   Councillor Parks gave the following report: The finances look good.
The question was asked if the community could change the way bills are being paid, as when the bills come to council they are already paid and the council does not have a chance to dispute a bill.

MOTION moved by Charles MacAusland seconded by Allan Parks and carried
THAT the community only pay utility bills and staff and hold the supplier bills till the meeting for council to review before being paid.

7. APPROVAL OF BILLS TOTALING: $641,370.38

MOTION moved by Allan Parks seconded by Charles MacAusland
THAT the payment of the bills totaling $641,370.38 be approved.

8. NEW BUSINESS:
a) Meeting in Welligton September 18 @ 6-8:30 for emergency Preparedness Workshop for any council that would like to go they can register online. CAO Perry will send them the link.
b) Meeting September 23 @ 10:30 am for the Waste Go Safety which is the product to remove the sludge in the lagoons.

c) Request to hook up to the sewer 28173 Western Rd

At this time Mayor Gallant handed the meeting over the Deputy Parks and Mayor Gallant left the meeting due to a Conflict of Interest. Deputy Parks closed the meeting to the Public.

Council discussed to great lengths the option of letting the resident hook up to the sewer.

The meeting was opened back up to the public, the Mayor was gone so Deputy Parks chaired the rest of the meeting.

MOTION moved by Charles MacAusland seconded by Pat Maclellan and carried
THAT the community wait till they get confirmation back from IRAC on Section 6.1 from the Water and Sewer Regulations. And then they will call a special meeting to discuss next steps.

MOTION moved by Corey Gillis seconded by Pat MacLellan and carried
THAT the community send a bill to MacInnis Group for $15,000.00 for their portion of the sewer installation on the Kinsmen Rd Hook up to the Apartment Buildings.

9. NEXT MEETING: Monthly Meeting October 8th, 2024

10. MEETING ADJOURNED

MOTION moved by Charles MacAusland that the meeting of September 10th, 2024 be adjourned.