Date:
Time: 1:00 p.m. Reconvene 6:00 p.m.
Location: Council Chamber
Minutes: March 28, 2017 Regional Council Minutes (PDF)
Summary of recorded votes: March 28, 2017 Regional Council Summary of Recorded Votes (PDF)
Action summary: March 28, 2017 Regional Council Action Summary (PDF)
Agenda
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. SPECIAL COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – Committee of the Whole February 8, 15, 21 and March 7, 2017 & Regional Council February 21 and March 7, 2017
4. APPROVAL OF THE ORDER OF BUSINESS AND APPROVAL OF ADDITIONS AND DELETIONS
5. BUSINESS ARISING OUT OF THE MINUTES
6. CALL FOR DECLARATION OF CONFLICT OF INTERESTS
7. MOTIONS OF RECONSIDERATION – NONE
8. MOTIONS OF RESCISSION – NONE
9. CONSIDERATION OF DEFERRED BUSINESS – NONE
10. NOTICES OF TABLED MATTERS – NONE
11. PUBLIC HEARING – 6:00 P.M.
11.1 Case 20405 – Amendments to the Halifax Municipal Planning Strategy (MPS) and Halifax Peninsula Land Use By-Law (LUB) for Halifax Grammar School – 915, 921, 945, and 967 Tower Road, Halifax
- Report [PDF]
- Staff Presentation [PDF]
- Applicant's Presentation [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council Approve the proposed amendments to the Halifax Municipal Planning Strategy (MPS) and Land Use By-Law (LUB) for Halifax Peninsula as set out in Attachments A and B of the January 3, 2017 staff report to enable a proposed expansion of the Halifax Grammar School (915, 921, 945, and 967 Tower Road, Halifax).
Public Hearings - Frequently Asked Questions
12. CORRESPONDENCE, PETITIONS & DELEGATIONS
12.1 Correspondence
12.2 Petitions
12.3 Presentations – Halifax Water 2017/18 Annual Business Plan [PDF]
(i) Staff Information Report dated March 17, 2017 [PDF]
13. INFORMATION ITEMS BROUGHT FORWARD – NONE
14. REPORTS
14.1 CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
14.1.1 Second Reading Proposed By-Law L-401 – an Amendment to By-Law L-400, Respecting Lot Grading [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council adopt By-law L-401, the purpose of which is to amend By-law L-400, Respecting Lot Grading, to exclude areas that are not connected to a central wastewater system.
14.1.2 Approval of Naming Contest for Two New Harbour Ferries [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council approve the use of an online naming contest for the newest harbour ferry vessels that are scheduled to be delivered in fall 2017 and summer 2018.
14.1.3 2017 Spring Debenture and Temporary Borrowing Resolution [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:
1. Authorize the Mayor and Municipal Clerk to sign the Resolution for Pre- Approval of Debenture Issuance, subject to interest rate confirmation not to exceed 4.00%, to enable the Halifax Regional Municipality to issue a 10-year debenture of $8,241,347 and;
2. Approve a Temporary Borrowing Resolution of $145,496,333 for financing of the debt funded portion of 2016/17 and remaining debt funded projects from previous years’ capital projects.
14.1.4 Grants to Community-Based Rural Transit Service Providers (Supplementary Report) [PDF]
(i) Grants Committee Report Recommendation dated May 2, 2016 [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council direct requests for capital funding for rural transit to the Community Grants Program.
14.2 APPEALS STANDING COMMITTEE
14.2.1 Review of By-Law S-801, Respecting Licensing of Temporary Signs – Regulations Regarding Box Signs in the Street Right-of-Way [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council request a staff report to review the prohibition of box signs located in the street right-of-way in By-law S-801, respecting Regulations and Licensing of Temporary Signs.
14.3 GRANTS COMMITTEE
14.3.1 Proposed Amendments to Administrative Order 2014-001-ADM – Tax Relief for Non-Profit Organizations Program Fiscal Year 2016 – Referrals [PDF]
Motion – Councillor Walker:
That Halifax Regional Council:
1. Direct staff to prepare a report to consider amendments to Administrative Order 2014-001-ADM, the Tax Relief to Non-Profit Organizations Administrative Order, in fiscal year 2017, as set out in the discussion section of the staff report dated February 1, 2017, to address:
(a) Incremental pro-rating of late renewal applications with maximum deduction thresholds;
(b) Expired lease or license agreements; and that staff return to Council for consideration of the amendments.
2. Adopt the amendments to Administrative Order 2014-001-ADM, the Tax Relief to Non-Profit Organizations Administrative Order, as set out in Attachment 2 of the staff report dated February 1, 2017 to add Austenville Owls Club, 36 and 38 Oakdale Crescent, Dartmouth, to Schedule 29, effective April 1, 2016, at a combined estimated cost of $1,736.
3. Confirm that the Estabrook Community Hall, 4408 St. Margaret’s Bay Road, Lewis Lake, Schedule 29, tax relief be pro-rated for the period April 1, 2016 to August 31, 2016, at an estimated cost of $775.
4. Provide a grant equivalent to a grant under Schedule 26 of the Administrative Order, without deduction, for:
(a) Feeding Others of Dartmouth, 43 Wentworth Street, Dartmouth;
(b) Sheet Harbour Rockets Association, 207 Church Point Road, Sheet Harbour; and
(c) The River Community Centre Association, Highway 7, Moser River, effective April 1, 2016, at a combined estimated cost of $10,970.
5. Provide a grant equivalent to a grant under the Administrative Order pro- rated for the lesser of $5,000 or a deduction of 1/365th for each day the application is late after June 30, 2016, to the following organizations:
(a) MacDonald House Association, 4144 Lawrencetown Road, Lawrencetown, equivalent to a grant under Schedule 26 but excluding any portion of the premises used for a commercial or residential purpose, effective April 1, 2016, and pro-rated as of July 1, 2016, at an estimated cost of $685;
(b) Lawrencetown Community Centre, 3657 Lawrencetown Road, Lawrencetown, equivalent to a grant under Schedule 26, effective April 1, 2016, pro-rated as of July 1, 2016, at an estimated cost of $700;
(c) Banook Canoe Club Limited, 17 Banook Avenue, Dartmouth, equivalent to a grant under Schedule 26 effective April 1, 2016, pro-rated as of July 1, 2016, at an estimated cost of $11,668;
(d) Ketch Harbour Area Residents Association, PID#03383687 Highway 349, Ketch Harbour, equivalent to a grant under Schedule 26, effective April 1, 2016, pro-rated as of July 1, 2016, at an estimated cost of $51;
(e) St. Leonard’s Society of Nova Scotia, 2170 Barrington Street, 2549 Brunswick Street and 2706 Gottingen Street, Halifax, equivalent to a grant under Schedule 27, at an estimated combined cost of $13,284;
(f) St. Leonard’s Society of Nova Scotia, 3170 Romans Avenue, Halifax equivalent to a grant under Schedule 28, at an estimated combined cost of $366;
(g) Alrasoul Islamic Society, 1247 Bedford Highway, Bedford, equivalent to a grant under Schedule 29, effective April 1, 2016, pro-rated as of July 1, 2016, at an estimated cost of $5,815;
(h) Black Educators Association, 2136 Gottingen Street, Halifax, equivalent to a grant under Schedule 29, effective April 1, 2016, pro-rated as of July 1, 2016, at an estimated cost of $3,437; and
(i) St. Leonard’s Society of Nova Scotia, 5506 Cunard Street, Halifax, equivalent to a grant under Schedule 30, effective April 1, 2016, pro-rated as of July 1, 2016, at an estimated cost of $763.
14.4 MEMBERS OF COUNCIL
14.4.1 Councillor Mason – Amendment to Terms of Reference for Community Design Advisory Committee [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:
1. Request a report to amend the Terms of Reference for the Community Design Advisory Committee to add to the membership a citizen having knowledge of healthy urban design and planning and who is employed in the Public Health Sector for the April 11, 2017 meeting of Halifax Regional Council.
2. Waive the requirement for Community Planning and Economic Development nominations and direct staff to bring forward the applications on file for Council’s consideration at the April 11, 2017 meeting of Halifax Regional Council to allow, if required, for an appointment.
15. MOTIONS
15.1 Councillor Nicoll
That Halifax Regional Council request that retail and commercial policy considerations for development projects that propose a significant quantity of new commercial development be included when preparing staff reports for possible amendments to HRM’s Municipal Planning Strategies. These considerations should also include discussion on the option of a requirement for developers to provide a commercial space demand study or other tools to inform decision making for these types of applications, and that a report be brought back to Council for consideration.
16. 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:
16.1 In Camera (In Private) Minutes – March 7, 2017
Motion:
That the In Camera (In Private) minutes of March 7, 2017 be approved as circulated.
16.2 Contract Negotiations
A matter pertaining to contract negotiations and legal advice.
16.2.1 Supplementary Education – Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Renewal – Private and Confidential Report
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:
1. Direct staff to negotiate a two-year Memorandum of Understanding with the Halifax Regional School Board as outlined in the private and confidential staff report dated March 13, 2017.
2. It is further recommended that the private and confidential staff report dated March 13, 2017 not be released to the public.
16.3 Property Matter
A matter pertaining to providing instruction and direction to officers and employees of the Municipality pertaining to the acquisition / sale of land in regard to
16.3.1 Property Acquisition – Land Adjacent to Porters Lake Canal, Highway 207 Seaforth/Three Fathom Harbour – Private and Confidential Report
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:
1. Direct staff to acquire the properties as per the terms and conditions outlined in Table 1 of the private and confidential staff report dated January 9, 2017; and
2. Not release the private and confidential staff report dated January 9, 2017 to the public until the potential transaction has closed.
16.3.2 Amendment to Buy-Back Agreement – Burnside – Private and Confidential Report
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:
1. Authorize and direct the Mayor and Municipal Clerk to enter into an Amended Agreement of Purchase and Sale and an amended Buy-Back Agreement for the subject lands, as per the terms and conditions outlined in Table 1 of the private and confidential staff report dated February 22, 2017.
2. It is further recommended that the private and confidential report dated February 22, 2017 not be released to the public.
16.3.3 Property Matter – Buy-Back Agreement – Bayers Lake – Private and Confidential Report
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:
1. Authorize and direct the Mayor and Municipal Clerk to execute the Release of the Buy-Back Agreement registered against title to the Property, identified in Table 1 of the private and confidential
staff report dated February 10, 2017, on behalf of the Municipality.
2. It is further recommended that the private and confidential staff report dated February 10, 2017 not be released to the public.
16.4 Legal Matter
A matter pertaining to litigation or potential litigation in regard to an identifiable person and information whose disclosure could reasonably be expected to prejudice the interests of the Municipality.
16.4.1 Legal Services Update on Litigation Matter – Private and Confidential Report
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:
1. Authorize the Chief Administrative Officer to execute a settlement agreement incorporating the terms and conditions set out in Appendix 1 of the staff report dated March 9, 2017, and;
2. Continue the confidentiality of the staff report dated March 9, 2017 following execution of the Settlement Agreement and not release this report to the public.
17. ADDED ITEMS
17.1 Halifax and West Community Council – Halifax Community Road Train [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council request a staff report in response to the presentation and request as provided to Halifax and West Community Council on the Halifax Community Road Train.
17.2 Councillor Hendsbee – Staff Report Regarding Cost-Shared Paving on Loriann Drive [PDF]
Motion:
That the petition submitted at the March 21 Council be forwarded to staff for a report regarding the request for cost-shared street paving on Loriann Drive in Porters Lake and consideration under the aid to the municipality program in the upcoming fiscal year.
17.3 Councillor Nicoll – CUTA Resolution to Pursue Pan-Canadian Harmonization Of Electric Bus Charging Technology, To Reduce Procurement Costs, Improve Performance And Increase Adoption Rates Of Electric-Bus Technology [PDF]
Motion:
That Regional Council endorse the Canadian Urban Transit Association’s (CUTA) resolution:
Whereas Halifax Regional Municipality has an interest in pursuing alternative propulsion technologies for Halifax Transit buses;
Whereas a consensus is forming across Canada on the need to reduce GHG emissions through new technologies;
Whereas emissions from the transportation are the second highest sector within Canada;
Whereas Canadian transit manufacturers are currently researching, developing and deploying new electric transit technologies that will offer significant emissions reductions;
Whereas costs for these new technologies are still out of reach for many Canadian municipalities, due in part to their slow rate of adoption across Canada;
Whereas a leading factor in the slow adoption of electric transit technologies is the lack of technological harmonization across municipalities and between transit manufacturers.
THEREFORE, IT IS RESOLVED THAT THIS COUNCIL:
Declare that it will pursue a coherent and sustained procurement process with regards to electric bus charging technologies that is harmonized with other municipalities across Canada.
Request other municipalities join in this harmonization, with the goal of more quickly commercializing electric transit technologies, increasing their adoption and reducing urban GHG emissions in the transportation sector.
Urge transit manufacturers to create a Canadian standard.
16. IN CAMERA (IN PRIVATE)
16.5 Personnel Matter
A matter pertaining to an identifiable individual or group.
16.5.1 Personnel Matter – Verbal Update – Private and Confidential Report
Motion: That Halifax Regional Council convene to in camera to discuss the matter.
Information Items
3. Proclamation – World Autism Awareness Day – April 2nd, 2017 [PDF]
4. Proclamation – Adult Learners Week – April 2 - 8, 2017 [PDF]
18. NOTICES OF MOTION
19. ADJOURNMENT
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INFORMATION ITEMS
March 28, 2017