COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES- October 8 2024
RURAL MUNICIPALITY OF MISCOUCHE
Monthly Council Meeting
October 8th, 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
Charles MacAusland Councillor
Corey Gillis Councillor
Patrick MacLellan Councillor (Absent)
Jonathan Gallant Councillor
Michelle Perry- CAO
2. Declaration of Conflict of Interest: Councillor J Gallant declared a conflict of Interest in 8b
At this time 4 residents from Antoinette asked to address council on the spillway between their properties on 31-29 Antoinette Dr. The community put the subdivision in 17 years ago, and there is a spillway between the 2 properties that is fairly steep. It is now becoming an issue with the resident and the children that are in that subdivision in the winter/spring when the spillway fills up with water and freezes and thaws. 1 child feel in last year and had to be pulled out. The residents want to fix the issue correctly as the drainage comes from the backs of the property through the spillway and out through the ditch. There will need to be culverts put in and filled on top with a bit of a swale to catch any existing water. The residents would like the community to look at this and either pay for it in full or offer a fair amount to have this issued rectified, as it is becoming a safety issue for the children in the neighbourhood.
Mayor Gallant thanked the residents for this information and advised that council will take it under advisement.
3. MAINTENANCE REPORT: Monty MacAusland gave the following report: There was a blockage in the fire hall again and he was in contact with MacAusland Construction to have a look at it and they will do the work once they get some time free. They also looked at the floor grates and determined that they will grind the metal down, as replacing them will be quite costly. Monty stated that the salt container would be delivered this week or next. Monty also meet with the ATV Club down at the driveway for the new well, and advised them of the new route towards the tree line of the property, that they can use to be away from the driveway so that the lawn and driveway will not get torn up with traffic
MOTION moved by Corey Gillis seconded by Ivan Blanchard and carried
THAT the community put plywood on the inside of the salt container up the walls to protect it from the erosion from the salt.
4. ADOPTION OF MINUTES: Monthly Meeting September 10, Special meeting September 30th, and Special meeting October 4th, 2024
MOTION moved by Ivan Blanchard seconded by Allan Parks and carried
THAT the minutes for the Monthly Meeting September 10th, Special Meeting September 30th, and Special Meeting October 4th, 2024 be approved as presented.
5. BUSINESS ARISING:
a) West Lagoon Upgrades: The generator will be commissioned tomorrow and the training was today which maintenance attended. .
b) Hydrant: Still no word from the electrician as to when the electrical will be completed. CAO Perry will make contact with the electrician for an update.
c) Generator for the Rec Center: The generator was finally installed at the Rec Center and the transfer switch will be done tomorrow.
d) Unsightly Property 100 Lady Slipper Dr S: The resident is still progressing on the project.
e) Phase 2 Kinsmen Rd: Council still has not received any drawings for Phase 2 yet.
f) 95 Lady Slipper Dr S: The resident was checking on a preliminary drawing with the surveyor to see if 150ft circle will fit on that lot.
g) Waste Go: Treatment for the West lagoon: council discussed the presentation that was given on Friday, and since they got word back from Environment that they do not approve additive products in the lagoon system, and stated that the municipality can try these products but they must insure that compliance is kept. If there is impacts due to being out of compliance then the owner/operator will be held responsible. Council has decided to reach out to other communities that have used the product to get more information.
h) Bylaws: Council requested that we have a bylaw committee made up of a few council and a few residents. Councillor Gillis will be chair of the committee and Councilor Blanchard will be on the committee as well.
6. COMMITTEE REPORTS:
a) Fire Dept: Councilor MacAusland gave the following report:
Santa Clause run will be December 15 @4 pm. The Christmas dinner will be December 7 @ 6 pm. They had 6 calls last month and the treasure and fundraiser chair positions are opened. 2 members are off the probation period and now are full members. The Ester Finkle Walk will be held October 20. They are currently working on this year budget.
b) Recreation, Park, Playgrounds and Green Spaces: Councilor J Gallant gave the following report: Bingo are going good there was an average of 95 people per evening over the last 4 weeks and the amount brought in was $4,700. Councillor J Gallant also received a few compliments from residents on the new playground equipment, especially on the swings at SteepleView Heights. Council received an offer from the Rural Municipality of Linkletter on their projector/screen and sound system in lieu of 6 months of Office space rental.
MOTION moved by Jonathan Gallant seconded by Charles MacAusland and carried
THAT the community take the Projector, Projector Screen, Sound System and Speakers in lieu of 6 months of Office Space Rental from the Rural Municipality of Linkletter.
c) Water & Sewer: Councilor Gillis gave the following report: There were 11 disconnects sent out for the sewer non payment accounts. There is a possibility of 1 being disconnected. The question was posed that since the possible disconnect is on Wilfred St on the same side as the new sidewalk, if we had to disconnect them would the community be allowed to dig on their property without there permission. It was requested that IRAC be called to get that questioned answered.
d) Repairs, Maintenance and Village Properties: Councilor Blanchard gave the following report: The windows on the side of the fire hall were painted, and the front wall of the building where the fire truck ran into it was fixed. And we are waiting to have the brick work done. CAO Perry will check with the contractor to see when that will be completed.
e) PEI Federation of Municipalities: Councillor MacLellan was at the Federation Meeting tonight. So no report.
f) Finances: Councillor Parks gave the following report: The finances look good.
There is 2 term deposit that are coming due in October. 1 for $161,000 and the other for $50,000
MOTION moved by Allan Parks seconded by Charles MacAusland and carried
THAT the community reinvest the 2 term deposits into a 1 year term @4.00%
Also the bill paying for the suppliers is not working and CAO Perry would like them to pick a number and anything under that number the bills can be paid.
MOTION moved by Jonathan Gallant seconded by Ivan Blanchard
THAT the bills paid for the supplier be set at $1000.00. So anything under $1000.00 can be paid.
7. APPROVAL OF BILLS TOTALING: $15,170.60 already paid and $59,333.80 needing to be approved.
MOTION moved by Allan Parks seconded by Charles MacAusland
THAT the payment of the bills totaling $15,170.60 that were already paid and $59,333.80 that will be paid tomorrow to be approved.
8. NEW BUSINESS:
a) Spillway on 31 Antoinette Dr: Council discussed this and has decided to get a legal opinion on the community obligation.
b) Snow Removal Tender 2024/2025: At this time councillor J Gallant left the room for the conflict of interest. Council received 2 tenders for the snow removal contract. 1 from CLS Holding and one from Small Engine Clinic.
MOTION moved by Allan Parks seconded by Charles MacAusland
THAT the community accept the contract from CLS Holding for $12,500.00 for the Snow Removal for 2024/2025 season.
c) Subdivide the Property Main Dr E : council received a request to subdivide the property 32 Main Dr E which is the back lot on 41 Kelly Dr. They would like to subdivide the lot for a single family dwelling
MOTION moved by Ivan Blanchard seconded by Corey Gillis
THAT the community approve the plan to subdivide 32 Main Dr E into 2 lots.
d) New Office desk and chair: CAO Perry would like to know if she can buy a new desk and chair for the office.
MOTION moved by Corey Gillis seconded by Charles MacAusland
THAT the community purchase a new office desk and chair up to $2,000.00
e) Personal Issue: At this time Mayor Gallant closed the meeting for council to discuss a personal issue.
After 10 minutes Mayor Gallant opened the meeting back up to the public.
9. NEXT MEETING: Monthly Meeting November 12th, 2024
10. MEETING ADJOURNED
MOTION moved by Charles MacAusland that the meeting of October 8th, 2024 be adjourned.