Council Meeting: September 9, 2024

197-09-2024

198-09-2024

199-09-2024

200-09-2024

201-09-2024

202-09-2024

203-09-2024

204-09-2024

Mayor Gagnon called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

Conflict of Interest Declaration

A conflict of interest arises when elected officials are placed in a situation where they must choose between their personal interests or those of those around them and the public interest. The conflict-of-interest sections of the Municipal Elections and Referendums Act are intended to ensure that the decision-making process within a municipal council is not tainted by personal considerations.

2.  ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA

IT IS PROPOSED by David Miljour and unanimously resolved to adopt the agenda of 09 September 2024 as amended.                                           

                                                                                                                    Adopted   

3.  ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES

MOVED by Marc Gauthier and resolved unanimously to adopt the minutes of August 12, 2024.                                                                              Adopted    

4.  BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE LAST MEETINGS

• Regulation respecting internal economy 

Waiting for additional information from the MAMH to present the second version to the council. 

• Financial audit

  The Director General will be in contact with Simon, the auditor to follow up on our 2021 Financial Report.

•  2025 Budget Planning

The Director General mentions that the request has been made to the accountant to have a meeting for the budget in November 2024.

• Fire, Truck and Fire Station Services

Councillor Ralston asked about the inter-municipal agreement, Mayor Gagnon said he would see the mayor of Campbell’s Bay and Litchfield to discuss a meeting.

• Planning Committee

Councillor Ralston addressed the topic of the Planning Committee and reminded us that we are going to need a resolution for the committee. The Director General says she confirms with the selected members before the October meeting.

5.  MAYOR’S REPORT

The Mayor presents his monthly report.

6.  QUESTION PERIOD (public)

The members of the council were able to answer questions from the citizens present

7.  CORRESPONDENCE AND INFORMATION

7.1Local Road Assistance Program 

The municipality is allocated $20,000.00 for the local road assistance program.

7.2 Resolution to Change the Use of the Comparative Factor in the Municipal Assessment Process 

WHEREAS, the current municipal assessment process uses a comparative factor to determine the market value of properties;

WHEREAS, this comparative factor can lead to unfair assessments and does not always accurately reflect the actual market value of properties, especially during years 2 and 3 of the triennial roll;

WHEREAS, the Municipality of Bryson expresses the need to review and revise the Act respecting municipal taxation as well as the assessment process in order to ensure a fairer and more transparent assessment of properties for the well-being of its residents;

WHEREAS the adjustment of the municipal tax rate is only a temporary measure and does not solve the problem.

WHEREAS other municipalities could face this situation of having a high comparative factor and these negative impacts: calculation of the MRC’s shares, calculation of the Sûreté du Québec’s fees. As well as these impacts on residents: school taxes, payment of transfers on the standardized value, etc. 

IT IS PROPOSED BY: David Miljour

Be it resolved unanimously that:

1. The Municipality of Bryson formally requests a review of the municipal assessment process, with a particular focus on reviewing and modifying the use of the comparative factor.
2. Bryson Town Council is proposing the adoption of a new methodology for property valuation that more accurately reflects the actual market value, and that the calculation be made on an assessment basis rather than a unit basis. In addition, we ask that the comparative factor in years 2 and 3 of the three-year roll not have an impact on municipalities and their residents.
3. The Municipality of Bryson invites other municipalities to support this initiative and adopt similar resolutions to create a harmonized and equitable approach to property assessment across the region. We also invite municipalities to sign and promote the petition to the National Assembly.                                                                                           Adopted

7.3 TECQ resolution

CONSIDERING: 

• The municipality has read the Guide to the terms and conditions for the payment of the government contribution under the Gas Tax Program and the Quebec Contribution (TECQ) for the years 2019 to 2024; 

• The municipality must comply with the terms and conditions of this guide that apply to it in order to receive the government contribution that was confirmed in a letter from the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. 

It is proposed by Serge launched and unanimously resolved that: 

• The municipality agrees to abide by the terms and conditions of the guide that apply to it; 

• The municipality undertakes to be solely responsible and to hold harmless the Government of Canada and the Government of Quebec as well as their ministers, senior officials, employees and agents from any and all liability for claims, demands, losses, damages and costs of any kind based on an injury inflicted on a person, the death of that person,  damage to property or loss of property attributable to a deliberate or negligent act resulting directly or indirectly from investments made through the financial assistance obtained under the 2019-2024 TECQ program; 

• The municipality approves the contents and authorizes the sending to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing of the attached work program No. 03 and all other documents required by the Ministry in order to receive the government contribution confirmed to it in a letter from the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing; 

• The municipality undertakes to meet the minimum capital asset threshold imposed on it for the entire five years of the program; 

• The municipality undertakes to inform the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing of any changes that will be made to the work program approved by this resolution. 

• The municipality hereby certifies that the attached work program no. 03 includes true realized costs and reflects the cost estimates of the eligible work.                                                                                                   Adopted

8.  ADMINISTRATION

8.1 Water Management Technician Reports 

Report given to the councillors and presented orally.

• Long-term lease with Bryson RA

 WHEREAS the Municipality of Bryson wishes to enter into a ten (10) year emphyteutic lease with the Bryson Recreation Association for the property located at 670 Main Street, Bryson Quebec J0X 1H0;

WHEREAS the purpose of the proposed emphyteutic lease is to enable the Bryson Recreation Association to use and develop the property in furtherance of the recreational and community objectives of the Association, while ensuring the sustainable management of the property;

WHEREAS this type of lease will assist the Municipality as well as the Bryson Recreation Association to benefit of more grants;

WHEREAS a first draft will be presented to the Board for approval of the terms;

IT IS PROPOSED by Joanne Ralston and resolved unanimously to accept Mr. Alary’s hourly rate of $1250.00 + hourly rate of $375.00 beyond three hours for the drafting of the emphyteutic lease.                                                          Adopted

9.  FINANCES

9.1 Accounts Payable

 As confirmed by the Accountant, Gerard Labelle, CGA, I, Vanessa Dagenais, Director General and Clerk-Treasurer, certifies that there are sufficient funds to pay the invoices received in the amount of $91,130.23.

IT WAS MOVED by Jian Zhang, and resolved unanimously, that the invoices received in the amount of $91,130.23 be paid.                                     Adopted

9.2. Jason Hynes’ Quote

MOVED by David Miljour and resolved unanimously to accept the bid of Jason Hynes in the amount of $20,862.21 for asphalt repairs on certain roads.                                                                  

                                                                                                                      Adopted

  10. NEW BUSINESS

 No new business arising 

11.  COMMITTEE MEETINGS AND REPORTS

Councillors Joanne Ralston, Marc Gauthier, Wayne Cameron, Serge Lance and Jian Zhang presented reports and updates.

12.  OTHERS

12.1 Christmas Parade

CONSIDERING that the Municipal Council organizes a Christmas parade every year;

WHEREAS Principale Street will have to be closed from 501 rue principale to 936 rue principale;

CONSIDERING that the Parade will be on December 6, 2024 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.;

IT IS PORPOSED by Dave Miljour and resolved unanimously that the Municipality of Bryson confirm its agreement with the closure of Main Street on December 6, 2024 and also provide barricades and detour signs.                                Adopted

13.  ADJOURNMENT OF THE SESSION 

   IT IS PORPOSED by David Miljour and unanimously resolved that the meeting be adjourned at 8:37 p.m.                                                                            Adopted                                                                         

___________________________                   _________________________

Alain Gagnon                                                                      Vanessa Dagenais Maire          

                                                                                               Director General, Clerk – Treasurer