Draft minutes of January 10 2023

Present: Mayor I. Novaczek, Deputy Mayor B. Fowler, Councillors L. Maclennan, J.

Macleod, K. Maclennan.

Guests: Joanne Harvey, Mayor of the Rural Municipality of Crapaud, and resident,

Toby Hill.

1. CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Novaczek called the meeting to order at 7:00pm and welcomed guests,

Round-table introductions of Councillors and CAO and a review of the agenda

ensued. New Business added were the establishment of a new Facebook page to be

unique to Council news and updates; and the upcoming Federation of Municipalities

semi-annual meeting.

2. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

It was moved by Mayor Novaczek and seconded by Deputy Mayor Fowler to

approve the agenda. Unanimously carried (5-0)

3. DISCLOSURE OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST

Nil

4. ADOPTION OF PREVIOUS MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL COUNCIL

MEETING of January 3, 2023

The minutes of the Special Council Meeting held on Jan. 3, 2023 were

reviewed. It was moved by Councillor Mayor Novaczek and seconded by

Councillor Kent MacLennan that the minutes of the January 3, 2023 Special

Council Meeting be adopted. Unanimously carried (5-0)

4.1 BUSINESS ARISING FROM LAST MINUTES

Toby Hill is interested in offering as Councillor, but requires clearance and

approval from her employer. It has been noted that two others may also

interested in offering as Councillor, but no expressions of interest have been

made by either party.

5. DELEGATIONS, SPECIAL SPEAKERS AND PUBLIC INPUT

Nil

6. CAO REPORT

Introduction.

Has undertaken PEI Federation of Municipalities CAO digital

training.

Rural Municipality of Breadalbane, Regular Council

Meeting Minutes

December 07, 2022

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Rural Municipality of Breadalbane Minutes Prepared by Michelle Pineau

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Looking into funding options for e-vehicle docking station and has

begun the application process.

Will pursue financial administration training through MRSB.

7. MAYOR’S REPORT

Mayor Novaczek provided a report, the text of which is posted on the

Community of Breadalbane.ca web page. The critical points were that our

annual budget of about 50K is insufficient because of new expenses that we

have to meet under the new Municipal Government Act. Some other small

municipalities have already dissolved or amalgamated with neighbouring

communities. The Rural Municipality of Breadalbane is in need of a plan to

ensure our survival. Also, there are seniors in need of more appropriate housing.

The mayor and deputy have met with MLA Brad Trivers and also with

representatives of the Department of Social Housing. It won’t be easy to find and

implement the appropriate solutions.

On a lighter note, some newcomers to the community are interested community

events where they can meet new people.

The municipality is eligible for a one-time-only special grant of 15K for

administrative costs, which will tide us over the current financial difficulties.

8. COMMITTEES AND COMMITTEE REPORTS

FINANCE COMMITTEE:

The Finance Committee will consist of three people. Deputy Mayor Bev Fowler

will Chair. Mayor Irene Novaczek will be on all committees and the CAO will

be the administrator on committees. The Finance Committee has decided

upon an accounting system, QuickBooksOnLine, and will be changing

providers from Brisk Accounting to MRSB. MRSB is the audit firm. Renting the

accounting software is more cost-effective than purchasing. It will be most

economical if tied directly to the auditing process. Training on the system will

be imminent.

Deputy Mayor Fowler has reviewed the finances and has drafted a budget for

consideration by council. The finalized budget is likely to be comparable to that

of last fiscal. The main revenue projection is that which comes through the tax

base.

The municipality is converting the hall to greener energy systems. Major

investments and repairs are laid out in the capital projects budget. Major

repairs to the park relate primarily to the storage shed.

The municipality owes $ 2200 past due to the New Glasgow Fire Department

and will owe another 2K by end of fiscal. We will get the $2200 to them

immediately and the remainder in February.

Rural Municipality of Breadalbane, Regular Council

Meeting Minutes

December 07, 2022

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Rural Municipality of Breadalbane Minutes Prepared by Michelle Pineau

RCM - 01/10/23

The amortization indicated in the budget is not a real cost, but reflects the

declining value of infrastructure.

We hope to share office costs with the Rural Municipality of Kinkora.

There are further needs, such as fencing repairs, fixing the ventilation system,

and pea gravel installation for the playground. There is also the Welcome Sign

to replace on Inkerman Rd. Council would love to have new tables and chairs,

but it is not in the budget.

CAPITAL PROJECTS COMMITTEE:

Councillor Lisa MacLennan volunteered to chair the Capital Projects

Committee. Councillor Kent MacLennan volunteered to look into the cost of

shed repairs and whether it can be done by the funding deadline, which is end

of January.

New library lights are urgently needed. Water filters may need replacement.

FACILITIES COMMITTEE:

While there has been a Facilities Committee in the past, the general

consensus is that there is no need of a Facilities Committee going forward. It

was therefore decided to leave the dissolved Facilities Committee disbanded

and not reconstitute it.

AMALGAMATION→ PLANNING COMMITTEE:

While there had been an “Amalgamation” Committee in the past, comprised of

the former Mayor, Margo Dooks and the current Mayor Elect, Irene Novaczek,

there was an expression of some concern over the term “amalgamation” and

discussion of a preferable name ensued. Council settled upon “Planning

Committee” going forward. The newly reconstituted Planning Committee, will

be a Committee of the Whole and will be chaired by Mayor Novaczek. Deputy

Mayor Fowler volunteered to draw up a preliminary draft Terms of

Reference.

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE:

The EMO Bylaw will require amendment now that several councilors who had

explicit roles in emergency management have left council. Councillor Kent

MacLennan volunteered to Chair the Emergency Management Committee,

which will be a Committee of the Whole. CAO Pineau noted that there is EMO

training available – on line and in person.

9. REQUEST FOR DECISION

9.1 Nil

There were no formal Requests for Decision.

10. NEW BUSINESS

Rural Municipality of Breadalbane, Regular Council

Meeting Minutes

December 07, 2022

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Rural Municipality of Breadalbane Minutes Prepared by Michelle Pineau

RCM - 01/10/23

10.1 Chairs of Committee

As discussed under Committees above,

Motion to confirm Committee chairs as follows:

a) Finance Committee: Deputy Mayor Fowler

b) Capital Projects Committee: Councillor Lisa MacLennan

c) Planning Committee: Mayor Novaczek

d) Emergency Management Committee Organization: Councillor Kent MacLennan

Moved by Mayor Novaczek and seconded by Councillor MacLennan. Unanimouisly

carried (5-0)

10.2 Development of a new Facebook Page. It has been noted that there

is a lot of traffic on the Community of Breadalbane Facebook page – in excess of

1000 people are members and many do not reside within the municipality.

Discussion centred around the utility of having a Facebook page dedicated uniquely

to Council business and events. The traffic on the current page poses a concern as

Council Agendas and Municipal News are at risk of getting lost. Council will look into

establishing a dedicated Facebook page and ideally, we will arrange it so that

Council updates will appear on other pages, too.

10.3 Margo Dooks has asked Council to complain to the Department of

Infrastructure Renewal and Transportation regarding the poor condition of the Dixon

Road. The value of bringing this forward to our local MLA was discussed and

Councillor Lisa MacLennan volunteered to call MLA Trivers regarding this.

10.4 There was discussion surrounding concerns of unsightly properties.

Councillor MacLeod volunteered to approach a resident to discuss the concerns.

11. IN-CAMERA

11.1 There no issues of a sensitive nature necessitating a motion to go in camera.

12. NEXT MEETING DATE – February 21, 2023, at 7:00pm.

13. ADJOURNMENT

It was moved by Mayor Novaczek and seconded by Councillor MacLeod,

that the meeting be adjourned at 8:55pm. Carried (5-0)