Date:
Time: 10:00 a.m. Reconvene 6:00 p.m.
Location: Council Chamber, 3rd Floor City Hall, 1841 Argyle Street, Halifax
Minutes: March 7, 2023 Halifax Regional Council Minutes (PDF)
Agenda
REVISED
1. CALL TO ORDER AND LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
2. SPECIAL COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – February 21 & 22, 2023
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: 15.1.2, 15.1.3, 15.1.7, 15.2.1, 15.2.2, 15.3.1, 15.4.1, and 15.4.2
6. BUSINESS ARISING OUT OF THE MINUTES
7. CALL FOR DECLARATION OF CONFLICT OF INTERESTS
8. MOTIONS OF RECONSIDERATION – NONE
9. MOTIONS OF RESCISSION – NONE
10. CONSIDERATION OF DEFERRED BUSINESS – September 29, 2022 and January 10, 2023
10.1 Cases 22816 and 23245: Amendments to the Halifax MPS and Halifax Mainland LUB – Westerwald Street Study Area and Main Avenue and Titus Street, Halifax – Supplementary Report [PDF]
i) Staff report dated September 21, 2022 [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council amend the motion of September 29, 2022, item 15.1.4, to read as follows:
1. Give First Reading to the proposed amendments to the Halifax Municipal Planning Strategy and Halifax Mainland Land Use By-law, as set out in Attachment A and Attachment B (Revised) of the supplementary staff report dated March 1, 2023; and
2. Subject to Council’s adopting the amendments for Case 24063: Interim Incentive or Bonus Zoning Program outside of the Regional Centre, schedule a public hearing to consider the proposed amendments to the Halifax Municipal Planning Strategy and Halifax Mainland Land Use By-law, as set out in Attachment A and Attachment B (Revised) of the supplementary staff report dated March 1, 2023.
10.2 Tax and Service Boundary Review Including Regional and Rural Transit - Supplementary Report [PDF]
i) Staff Report dated November 22, 2022 [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:
1. Defeat the deferred motion of January 10, 2023 for Item 15.1.3;
2. End the Regional Transportation area rate, and increase the residential/resource General Rates to compensate for the revenue loss;
3. Maintain the Rural Transit Funding program grants as unrestricted – available for grant recipients to use for their operating and/or capital costs – and maintain the program mileage allowance at $0.50 per kilometer, so as not to exceed the planned 2023/24 program funding level of $370,000; and
4. Fund the Rural Transit Grant Program from the general tax rate(s).
11. NOTICES OF TABLED MATTERS – NONE
12. PUBLIC HEARING – 6:00 P.M.
12.1 Administrative Order 50 Disposal of Surplus Real Property: PID 00002063 1940 Gottingen Street, Halifax
- Staff Report [PDF]
- Presentation [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council approve the sale of PID 00002063 located at civic 1940 Gottingen Street, Halifax and authorize the Mayor and Municipal Clerk to enter into an Agreement of Purchase and Sale and Buy-Back Agreement with the Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Society as per the terms and conditions outlined in Table 1 of the staff report dated January 18, 2023.
13. CORRESPONDENCE, PETITIONS & DELEGATIONS
13.1 Correspondence
13.2 Petitions
13.3 Presentations
13.3.1 Halifax Water 2023/24 Business Plan
- Staff Report [PDF]
- Presentation [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council approve the 2023/24 Annual Business Plan of Halifax Water as described in the attached document as Appendix A of the report dated February 24, 2023.
14. INFORMATION ITEMS BROUGHT FORWARD – NONE
15. REPORTS
15.1 CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
15.1.1 Second Reading Proposed By-Law T-800, Respecting Property Tax Billing for Tax Relief Recipients and Proposed Amendments to Administrative Order 18, Respecting the Revenue Collections Policy [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:
1. Adopt By-law T-800 Respecting Property Tax Billing for Tax Relief Recipients, the purpose of which is to permit once per year property tax billing for organizations that have been accepted into the Municipality’s Tax Relief for Non-Profit Organizations Program, as set out in Attachment 1 of the staff report dated January 27, 2023; and
2. Adopt the Amending Administrative Order, the purpose of which is to amend Administrative Order 18 Revenue Collections Policy section 4.2.2, as set out in Attachment 2 of the staff report dated January 27, 2023.
15.1.2 Community Benefit Program for the Otter Lake Waste Processing and Disposal Facility* [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer to provide Council with a recommendation report no earlier than Fiscal Year 2025/2026 regarding a Community Benefit Program and Enhanced Maintenance Program relative to the Otter Lake Waste Processing and Disposal Facility once costs associated with deactivating the Front-End Processor and Waste Stabilization Facility, including implementing the Compliance Plan, are more fully identified.
15.1.3 First Reading Proposed By-law A-601, an Amendment to By-law A-600, Respecting Advertisements on Provincial Highways* [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:
1. Declare that the “pilot project” for regulating advertising on provincial secondary highways has ended; and
2. Give First Reading to By-law A-601, amending By-law A-600, the Advertising on Provincial Highways By-law, as set out in Attachment 5 of the staff report dated February 22, 2023.
15.1.4 First Reading Proposed By-law F-303, an Amendment to By-law F-300, Relating to Fees for the Provision of Taxation Information [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council give First Reading to By-Law F-303, amending By-Law F-300, a By-Law Relating to Fees for the Provision of Taxation Information, as set out in Attachment 2 of the staff report dated February 28, 2023.
15.1.5 First Reading Proposed By-Law S-451, an Amendment to By-Law S-400 Respecting Charges for Street Improvements [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council give First Reading to By-Law S-451, amending By-Law S-400, the Street Improvement By-Law, as set out in Attachment 5 of the staff report dated February 28, 2023.
15.1.6 Hybrid Meeting Options [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer to develop a business case for:
1. the software solution described as Option Four in Attachment 1 of the staff report dated February 28, 2023: Council Hybrid Options Analysis;
2. options to improve the functionality of meetings of the North West Community Council, including the option of a dedicated meeting space that includes webcast and other technology options. The business case should also address staff support and meeting requirements; and
3. mobile technical support services from an external vendor that includes costing for webcasting and other applicable technology options provided by the service; and
return to Regional Council for further direction.
15.1.7 Part A of JustFOOD: Action Plan for the Halifax Region*
- Staff Report [Large 14Mb PDF]
- Presentation [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:
1. Accept and approve in principle Part A of JustFOOD: Action Plan for the Halifax Region and proposal for development of Part B, as contained in the staff report dated March 1, 2023; and
2. Direct the Mayor to make the Halifax Regional Municipality a signatory to the Milan Urban Food Policy Pact.
15.1.8 Halifax Public Safety Strategy 2023-24 to 2025-26
- Staff Report [PDF]
- Presentation [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:
1. Approve the attached document to the staff report dated March 1, 2023, Public Safety Strategy for use as a strategy framework for municipal decision-making regarding public safety.
2. Direct the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to provide an annual progress report to Regional Council.
3. Allocate $361,100 for Fiscal Year 2023-24 to begin work to establish a Centre of Responsibility for Public Safety as outlined in the Public Safety Strategy.
15.1.9 Rapid Housing Initiative Round 3 Agreement - Investment Plan
- Staff Report [PDF]
- Presentation [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:
1. Direct the Chief Administrative Officer to include an Investment Plan providing funding for the proposed affordable housing development by the Society of Saint Vincent De Paul, as further discussed in the staff report dated March 3, 2023, in the Rapid Housing Initiative Agreement with Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation ("CMHC"); and
2. Authorize the Chief Administrative Officer to negotiate and execute Contribution Agreements, and any amendments or consents arising from them, with recipients, to distribute CMHC Rapid Housing Initiative funding for approved projects.
15.2 AUDIT AND FINANCE STANDING COMMITTEE
15.2.1 Increase to Contract – 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 Project Account No. CW200003 – Rural Depots in the amount of $26,121 (net HST included) to accommodate increases in the US exchange rate; and
2. Approve an unbudgeted reserve withdrawal of $26,121 (net HST included) from Q556, Solid Waste Facilities Reserve to fund this increase.
15.2.2 2022/2023 Write Off of Uncollectible Accounts* [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council approve:
1. The real property tax accounts in the amount of $67,583.81 comprised of $50,871.38 and $16,712.43 interest as summarized in Schedule 1 of the staff report dated February 16, 2023 be formally written out of the books of account;
2. The general revenue accounts in the amount of $39,036.76 comprised of $38,863.45 principal and $173.31 interest as summarized in Schedule 1 of the staff report dated February 16, 2023 be formally written out of the books of account; and
3. The recreation accounts in the amount of $7,466.89 comprised of $7,466.89 principal and $0.00 interest as summarized in Schedule 1 of the staff report dated February 16, 2023 be formally written out of the books of account.
15.3 COMMUNITY PLANNING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STANDING COMMITTEE
15.3.1 Playing Field Strategy* [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:
1. Approve the Halifax Playing Field Strategy (Attachment A of the staff report dated February 1, 2023) as a guiding municipal document for the planning, programing, and operation of playing fields; and
2. Direct the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to identify applicable implementation actions and directions as contained in the Halifax Playing Field Strategy within future business plans.
15.4 HERITAGE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
15.4.1 Case H00542: Request to Include 6112 Coburg Road, Halifax in the Registry of Heritage Property for the Halifax Regional Municipality* [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council set a date for a heritage hearing to consider the inclusion of 6112 Coburg Road, Halifax in the Registry of Heritage Property for the Halifax Regional Municipality, as shown on Map 1 of the staff report dated February 9, 2023, as a municipal heritage property under the Heritage Property Act.
15.4.2 Case H00555: 2023/24 Heritage Incentives Plan* [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council approve the proposed grants to the properties listed in Attachment A of the staff report dated February 15, 2023, conditional upon the applicants’ compliance with Sections 29 through 35 of Administrative Order Number 2014-002-ADM and subject to approval of the proposed 2023/24 budget.
15.5 MEMBERS OF COUNCIL
15.5.1 Councillor Blackburn – Feely Lake [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to provide a staff information report on the lands surrounding Feely Lake including the history of the land transfer, the original intention of the lands, why these plans were not realized and steps that need to be taken to complete this transfer.
15.5.2 Councillor Blackburn – Beaver Bank Bypass [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to provide a staff information report on the Beaver Bank Bypass project including a history of the provincial project, what HRM’s involvement was (including our financial commitments at the time) and what our possible future involvement with provincial and federal partners could look like.
16. MOTIONS
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 – February 21 & 22, 2023
Motion:
That the In Camera (In Private) minutes of February 21 & 22, 2023 be approved as circulated.
17.2 PUBLIC SECURITY – Deferred from February 21, 2023 - Private and Confidential
A matter pertaining to issues impacting public security.
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council convene to in camera (in private) to discuss the matter.
17.3 CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS - Private and Confidential Report
A matter pertaining to contract negotiations and legal advice.
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:
1. Adopt the recommendations as outlined in the private and confidential report dated February 7, 2023; and
2. Direct that the private and confidential report dated February 7, 2023 be maintained private and confidential.
17.4 CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS - Private and Confidential Report
A matter pertaining to contract negotiations and legal advice.
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:
1. Adopt the recommendations as outlined in the private and confidential report dated February 7, 2023; and
2. Direct that the private and confidential report dated February 7, 2023 be maintained private and confidential.
17.5 CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS - Private and Confidential Report
A matter pertaining to contract negotiations and legal advice.
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:
1. Adopt the recommendations as outlined in the private and confidential report dated February 22, 2023; and
2. Direct that the private and confidential report dated February 22, 2023 be maintained private and confidential.
17.6 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 February 14, 2023; and
2. Direct that the private and confidential report dated February 14, 2023 be maintained private and confidential.
17.7 PROPERTY MATTER - Private and Confidential Report
A matter pertaining to providing instruction and direction to officers and employees of the Municipality pertaining to the acquisition / sale of land.
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:
1. Adopt the recommendations as outlined in the private and confidential report dated February 22, 2023; and
2. Direct that the private and confidential report dated February 22, 2023 be maintained private and confidential.
17.8 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 February 27, 2023; and
2. Release the private and confidential report dated February 27, 2023 to the public once the conditions as outlined in the report has been met.
17.9 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 February 27, 2023; and
2. Direct that the private and confidential report dated February 27, 2023 be maintained private and confidential.
17.10 PUBLIC SECURITY – Private and Confidential Report
A matter pertaining to issues impacting public security.
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:
1. Adopt the recommendations as outlined in the private and confidential report dated March 3, 2023; and
2. Direct that the private and confidential report dated March 3, 2023 be maintained private and confidential.
18. ADDED ITEMS
Deletions:
17.2 PUBLIC SECURITY – Deferred from February 21, 2023 - Private and Confidential
A matter pertaining to issues impacting public security.
19. NOTICES OF MOTION
20. ADJOURNMENT
INFORMATION ITEMS
March 7, 2023
________________________________________
1. Proclamation – Kidney Month – March 2023 [PDF]
2. Proclamation – World Down Syndrome Day – March 21, 2023 [PDF]