Date:
Time: 1:00 p.m.; Reconvene 6:00 p.m. If required
Location: Virtual Meeting
Minutes: January 11, 2022 Halifax Regional Council Minutes (PDF)
Agenda
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. SPECIAL COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – December 7, 14 and 17, 2021
4. APPROVAL OF THE ORDER OF BUSINESS AND APPROVAL OF ADDITIONS AND DELETIONS
5. CONSENT AGENDA*
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council approve recommendations in the following items: 15.1.1, 15.2.1, 15.5.1, 15.5.2, 15.6.1 and 15.6.2
6. BUSINESS ARISING OUT OF THE MINUTES
7. CALL FOR DECLARATION OF CONFLICT OF INTERESTS
8. MOTIONS OF RECONSIDERATION – NONE
9. MOTIONS OF RESCISSION – January 14, 2020
9.1 Deputy Mayor Lovelace
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council rescind Item 16.1 from the January 14, 2020 Regional Council meeting which requested a staff report as follows:
That Halifax Regional Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer to prepare a staff report that responds to the requests by the St. Margaret’s Bay Area Rails to Trails Association, the BLT Rails to Trails Association, and the Cole Harbour Parks and Trails Association, that Halifax Regional Municipality takes responsibility for the operation and maintenance for the segments of active transportation multi-use pathway currently under their responsibility. The report should consider options such as HRM assuming ownership of the facilities or a Letter of Authority from the Province and consider factors such as Provincial government position, cost, enforcement, permitted uses and other considerations to help understand the implications for the sustainability of these facilities and for Municipal responsibilities.
10. CONSIDERATION OF DEFERRED BUSINESS – December 14, 2021
10.1 Small Business Definition and Commercial Taxation Options [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer to:
1. Draft an administrative order to implement the Tiered Tax Relief for Small Properties (Option 2), as described in the Discussion section of the staff report dated November 16, 2021, effective with the commencement of the 2023/24 fiscal year, and return to Council with the resulting draft for its consideration; and,
2. Review the program following the 2023 final tax bill and report back to Council.
11. NOTICES OF TABLED MATTERS – NONE
12. HERITAGE HEARING – 1:00 p.m.
12.1 Case H00510 - Request to Include 5663 Cornwallis Street, Halifax in the Registry of Heritage Property for the Halifax Regional Municipality
- Report [Large 18 Mb PDF]
- Presentation [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council approve the request to include 5663 Cornwallis Street, Halifax in the Registry of Heritage Property for the Halifax Regional Municipality as shown on Map 1 of the September 24, 2021 staff report, as a municipal heritage property under the Heritage Property Act.
13. CORRESPONDENCE, PETITIONS & DELEGATIONS
13.1 Correspondence
13.2 Petitions
13.3 Presentations
14. INFORMATION ITEMS BROUGHT FORWARD - NONE
15. REPORTS
15.1 CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
15.1.1 First Reading Proposed By-law T-1006, Amending By-law T-1000, Respecting the Regulation of Taxis, Accessible Taxis, Limousines and Transportation Network Companies* [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council give First Reading to proposed By-law T-1006, amending By-law T-1000, Respecting the Regulation of Taxis, Accessible Taxis, Limousines and Transportation Network Companies as set out in Attachment B of the staff report dated December 1, 2021.
15.1.2 Proposed Amendments to Administrative Order 48, Respecting the Creation of Community Councils and Administrative Order 2019-011-GOV, the Design Advisory Committee and Administrative Order 2020-007-ADM, Respecting the Incentive or Bonus Zoning Public Benefits and Administrative Order 2020-008-ADM, Respecting the Grants for Affordable Housing [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council adopt the amendments to:
1. Administrative Order 48, the Community Council Administrative Order as set out in Attachment B of the staff report dated November 16, 2021;
2. Administrative Order 2019-011-GOV, the Design Advisory Committee Administrative Order, as set out in Attachment D of the staff report dated November 16, 2021;
3. Administrative Order 2020-007-ADM, the Incentive or Bonus Zoning Public Benefits Administrative Order, as set out in Attachment F of the staff report dated November 16, 2021; and
4. Administrative Order 2020-008-ADM, Grants for Affordable Housing Administrative Order, as set out in Attachment H of the staff report dated November 16, 2021.
15.1.3 Case 23820 - Southdale Future Growth Node Master Planning Initiation [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer to:
1. Initiate a process to amend the Regional Centre Secondary Planning Strategy and Land Use-By-law to develop site-specific Comprehensive Development District (CDD) policies and an associated development agreement to enable development on the Southdale Future Growth Node site that considers the review items identified in the Discussion Section of the staff report dated December 6, 2021; and
2. Follow the public participation program as set out in Attachment A of the staff report dated December 6, 2021.
15.1.4 Crisis Accommodation Funding Request [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council direct that the Chief Administrative Officer be authorized to spend up to an additional $1,200,000 from Fiscal Services to purchase and install modular units at two sites and to address suitable temporary housing to address needs of unhoused residents.
15.2 AUDIT AND FINANCE STANDING COMMITTEE
15.2.1 Increase to Contract – Request for Quotation (RFQ) 21-002, Two (2) 2021 Model Refuse Transfer Trailers c/w Top Opening Door and Auxiliary Gasoline Engine* [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:
1. Approve a budget increase to the 2021/22 approved gross capital budget, to increase Project Account No. CW200003 – Rural Depots in the amount of $66,887 (net HST included); and
2. Approve an unbudgeted reserve withdrawal of $66,887 (net HST included) from Q556, Solid Waste Facilities Reserve to fund this increase; and
3. Approve an increase of $92,211 (net HST included) to the contract with Spector Manufacturing Inc (PO 2070860007), for an increase in raw materials surcharge with funding from CW200003 – Rural Depots as outlined in the Financial Implications section of the November 17, 2021 staff report.
15.3 COMMUNITY PLANNING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STANDING COMMITTEE
15.3.1 Proposed Amendments to Administrative Order 2014-003-GOV, Respecting International Partnerships - International Partnerships Update - REVISED [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:
1. Establish an Economic Partnership with Portsmouth, England;
2. Authorize the Chief Administrative Officer to negotiate, and the Mayor to execute, an Economic Partnership agreement with Portsmouth consistent with the discussion section of the July 29, 2021 staff report and for a term not to exceed five years; and,
3. Adopt the proposed amendments to Administrative Order 2014-003-GOV, Respecting International Partnerships as set out in Attachment D of the July 29, 2021 staff report.
15.4 ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY STANDING COMMITTEE
15.4.1 HalifACT – Acting on Climate Together: 2020-2021 Annual Report [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:
1. Receive the HalifACT – Acting on Climate Together: 2020-2021 Annual Report as information; and
2. Schedule a Committee of the Whole to review the HalifACT Annual Progress Report and requests a briefing note outlining the business unit responsibilities for each HalifACT action.
15.5 HALIFAX AND WEST COMMUNITY COUNCIL
15.5.1 Cases 23746 and 22896 – Municipal Planning Strategy (MPS) and Development Agreement Amendments for Seton Ridge - Bedford Highway, Seton Road and Lacewood Drive, Halifax* [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council give First Reading to consider the proposed amendments to the Halifax Municipal Planning Strategy (MPS) for the Seton Ridge neighbourhood, as set out in Attachment A of the staff report dated November 29, 2021, to allow for the elimination of a required walkway connection to Bayview Road, Halifax, and schedule a joint public hearing.
15.5.2 Case 22879 - Amending Development Agreement for Lovett Lake Estates, Beechville* [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer to consider street and park names that are reflective of Beechville’s heritage.
15.6 NORTH WEST COMMUNITY COUNCIL
15.6.1 Case 21639 - Phase 1 - Amendments to the Regional Subdivision By-law to remove Growth Management Area Policies from portions of the Indigo Shores Subdivision, Middle Sackville* [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council give First Reading to consider the proposed amendments to the Regional Subdivision By-law (RSBL) as set out in Attachment A of the November 25, 2021 staff report to remove Growth Management Area restrictions that currently apply to the Indigo Shores subdivision at McCabe Lake North to permit the development of more than 25 lots per year and schedule a public hearing.
15.6.2 Case 22670 - MPS and LUB Amendments to Allow for Industrial and Highway Commercial Uses on the Conrad Quarry Lands, Montague Gold Mines and Waverley* [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council give First Reading to consider the proposed amendments to the Municipal Planning Strategies (MPS) and Land Use By-laws (LUB) for Cole Harbour/Westphal, Dartmouth and Planning Districts 14 and 17, as set out in Attachments A and B of the staff report dated November 22, 2021, to allow industrial and highway commercial uses on the Conrad Quarry Lands and schedule a public hearing.
15.7 GRANTS COMMITTEE
15.7.1 Less than Market Value Lease - Dartmouth Lawns Bowling Club, 2 Mount Hope Ave., Dartmouth, N.S. [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council authorize the Mayor and Municipal Clerk to negotiate the key terms and conditions set out in Table 1 in the discussion section of the staff report dated November 8, 2021 (Attachment A) and execute the Municipality’s standard, less than market value lease agreement with the Dartmouth Lawn Bowls Club for the premises located at 2 Mount Hope Avenue, Dartmouth.
15.8 MEMBERS OF COUNCIL
15.8.1 Deputy Mayor Lovelace - 1608 Hammonds Plains Road [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer to provide a staff report examining the potential for including 1608 Hammonds Plains Road in the registry of heritage properties for Halifax Regional Municipality. The report should be referred to the Heritage Advisory Committee for evaluation.
15.8.2 Councillor Mancini - Halifax Regional Municipality’s Opposition and Providing Financial Support to the Legal Challenge against Quebec's Bill 21 [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer to provide a staff report on the implications of the HRM:
1. Opposing the Province of Quebec's Bill 21, An Act respecting the principals of the State ("Bill 21") and confirm our commitment to upholding the freedoms set out in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms; supporting the current legal challenge against Bill 21;
2. Providing a one-time 2021/22 non-profit grant of $50,000 to the joint legal challenges of Bill 21 by the National Council of Canadian Muslims, the World Sikh Organization of Canada, and the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, to be accommodated from available funding within the 2021/22 Operating Budget (M310-8004); and
3. Calling on all other Canadian municipalities to affirm their opposition to Bill 21 and provide financial contributions to support the legal challenge.
16. MOTIONS
16.1 Councillor Mason
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council request a staff report to outline options to enable powers conveyed in recently adopted amendments to the Halifax Regional Municipal Charter via Bill 32 to allow the municipality to provide financial assistance to a business if the financial assistance is for the purpose of increasing the availability of affordable housing, and to require the regulate affordable housing within developments through land-use by-laws.
17. IN CAMERA (IN PRIVATE)
Council may rise and go into a private In Camera session, in accordance with Section 19 of the Halifax Regional Municipality Charter, for the purpose of dealing with the following:
17.1 In Camera (In Private) Minutes – December 14, 2021
Motion:
That the In Camera (In Private) minutes of December 14, 2021 be approved as circulated.
17.2 PERSONNEL MATTER - Private and Confidential Report
A matter pertaining to an identifiable individual or group.
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:
1. Adopt the recommendations as outlined in the private and confidential report dated December 16, 2021; and
2. Direct that the private and confidential report dated December 16, 2021 be maintained private and confidential.
17.3 PERSONNEL MATTER - Private and Confidential Report
A matter pertaining to an identifiable individual or group.
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:
1. Adopt the recommendations as outlined in the private and confidential report dated December 21, 2021; and
2. Direct that the private and confidential report dated December 21, 2021 be maintained private and confidential.
17.4 PERSONNEL MATTER - Private and Confidential Report
A matter pertaining to an identifiable individual or group.
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:
1. Adopt the recommendations as outlined in the private and confidential report dated December 13, 2021; and
2. Direct that the private and confidential report dated December 13, 2021 be maintained private and confidential.
17.5 INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS - Private and Confidential Report
A matter pertaining to any subject, the discussion of which could, violate the confidentiality of information obtained from another body of government, or a public body.
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:
1. Adopt the recommendations as outlined in the private and confidential staff report dated January 5, 2022; and
2. Release the private and confidential staff report dated January 5, 2022 to the public once the conditions as outlined in the report have been met.
18. ADDED ITEMS
19. NOTICES OF MOTION
20. ADJOURNMENT
__________________________________________________________
INFORMATION ITEMS
January 11, 2022
3. Proclamation – Year of the Garden and National Garden Day – 2022 / June 18, 2022 [PDF]
4. Proclamation – Day of Black Loyalist Exodus - 15 Ships to Sierra Leone – January 15, 2022 [PDF]