Date:
Time: Immediately following Committee of the Whole, Reconvene 6:00 p.m.
Location: Council Chamber, 3rd Floor City Hall, 1841 Argyle Street, Halifax
Minutes: June 20, 2023 Halifax Regional Council Minutes (PDF)
Agenda
REVISED
1. CALL TO ORDER AND LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
2. SPECIAL COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – June 6, 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, 15.1.4, and 15.2.4.
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 – May 9, 2023
10.1 CA0138 – Beechville and area Community Boundary Project
- Report [PDF]
- Presentation [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council amend the community boundaries of:
1. Beechville, as per Map 1 of the staff report dated May 3, 2023, and authorize staff to install and relocate community signs as identified on Map 2 of the staff report dated May 3, 2023;
2. Lakeside, as per Map 1 of the staff report dated May 3, 2023, and authorize staff to install and relocate community signs as identified on Map 2 of the staff report dated May 3, 2023;
3. Halifax, as per Map 1 of the staff report dated May 3, 2023, and authorize staff to relocate the community signs as identified on Map 2 of the staff report dated May 3, 2023; and
4. Goodwood, as per Map 1 of the staff report dated May 3, 2023, and authorize staff to relocate the community sign as identified on Map 2 of the staff report dated May 3, 2023.
11. NOTICES OF TABLED MATTERS – NONE
12. PUBLIC HEARINGS – 6:00 P.M.
12.1 Case H00552: Deregistration of Parcel RL-1 (PID 41027079), Old Sackville Road, Middle Sackville
- Report [PDF]
- Presentation [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council deregister the municipally registered heritage property known as PID 41027079, as shown as Parcel RL-1 on Attachment A of the staff report dated April 24, 2023.
12.2 Proposed Administrative Order 2023-002-ADM Respecting Public Participation for Planning Documents, Certain Planning Applications, and Engagement with Abutting Municipalities, Proposed Amendments to Administrative Order 48 Respecting the Creation of Community Councils, and Proposed Amendments to the Regional Municipal Planning Strategy, Secondary Municipal Planning Strategies, and Land Use By-laws
(i) Staff report dated April 14, 2023 [PDF]
(ii) Supplementary staff report dated June 7, 2023 [PDF]
-Presentation [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:
1. Adopt Administrative Order 2023-002-ADM Respecting Public Participation for Planning Documents, Certain Planning Applications, and Engagement with Abutting Municipalities, as set out in Attachment A of the revised supplementary staff report dated June 7, 2023, including repealing the Resolution Regarding a Public Participation Program for Municipal Planning Strategy Amendments adopted by Council on February 25, 1997;
2. Adopt the Amendments to Administrative Order 48, the Community Council Administrative Order, as set out in Attachment I of the revised staff report dated April 14, 2023; and
3. Adopt the proposed amendments to the Regional Municipal Planning Strategy, Secondary Municipal Planning Strategies, and Land Use By-laws, as set out in Attachments C, D, and E of the revised staff report dated April 14, 2023.
13. CORRESPONDENCE, PETITIONS & DELEGATIONS
13.1 Correspondence
13.2 Petitions
14. INFORMATION ITEMS BROUGHT FORWARD – May 23, 2023
14.1 Councillor Lovelace - Cooling Centres in Designated Locations in HRM [PDF]
14.2 Councillor Lovelace - Ownership and Conservation of Historic Kemptown Road [PDF]
15. REPORTS
15.1 CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
15.1.1 Voluntary Vulnerable Persons Registry [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer to develop a voluntary Vulnerable Persons Registry to be used for Emergency Management purposes in HRM to support residents who experience exponential increase in life safety risk due to extreme weather and other crisis events throughout HRM.
15.1.2 Case MPSA-2023-00349: Municipal Planning Strategy Amendments for Bedford South Shannex, Starboard Drive, Halifax* [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer to:
1. Initiate a process to consider amendments to the Halifax Municipal Planning Strategy and Land Use By-law, the Bedford Municipal Planning Strategy and Land Use By-law, and to the applicable existing development agreements to increase the permitted population density, increase the maximum building height, and enable the development of additional office and lifestyle community land uses; and
2. Follow the public participation program for municipal planning strategy amendments as approved by Regional Council on February 27, 1997.
15.1.3 Youth Worx Program Job Experience - Supplementary Report* [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer to:
1. Expand the Youth Worx Program as described in the body of the staff report dated June 9, 2023; and
2. Continue to develop the Café model as the preferred model for Youth Worx job experience.
15.1.4 First Reading Proposed By-law L-500, Respecting the Construction and Operation of Land-Lease Communities - Land-Lease Communities By-law Modernization Project (PLPPROJ-2023-00192)*
- Report [PDF]
- Presentation [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council give First Reading to consider approval of By-law Number L-500 Respecting the Construction and Operation of Land-lease Communities, as set out in Attachment A of the staff report dated June 12, 2023, which includes
a. amendments to the Halifax County By-law 29, the Mobile Home Park By-law;
b. amendments to the City of Dartmouth By-law M-200, Respecting Mobile Homes and Mobile Home Parks; and
c. repealing the City of Halifax Ordinance 143, Respecting Mobile Home Parks
15.1.5 Interim Councillor Appointment to the Board of Police Commissioners
This item was deleted from the agenda.
15.1.6 Funding to the 2022/23 HRM Affordable Housing Grant Program [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:
1. Suspend the rules of procedure under Schedule 2, the Audit & Finance Standing Committee Terms of Reference, of Administrative Order One, the Procedures of the Council Administrative Order; and
2. Direct the Chief Administrative Officer to allocate $1,229,833.27 from Bonus Zoning Reserve Q640 to fund the 2022/23 Affordable Housing Grant Program.
15.1.7 First Reading Proposed By-law M-300, Respecting Micromobility – Regulation of Electric Kick-scooters and Shared Micromobility Services
- Report [PDF]
- Presentation [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:
1. Suspend the rules of procedure under Schedule 7, the Transportation Standing Committee Terms of Reference, of Administrative Order One, the Procedures of the Council Administrative Order;
2. Give First Reading to By-law M-300, the Micromobility By-law, to enable the use of electric kick-scooters in the Halifax Regional Municipality, as set out in Attachment B to the staff report dated June 15, 2023.
15.2 GRANTS COMMITTEE
15.2.1 Proposed Amendments to Administrative Order 2018-010-ADM, Respecting Interim Grants to Community Museums - Community Museums Grants Program: Recommended Awards 2023 [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:
1. Adopt the amendments to Administrative Order 2018-010-ADM Respecting Grants to Community Museums as set out in Attachment 1 of the staff report dated May 19, 2023;
2. Approve an increase in thirteen (13) Operating Grants as outlined in Attachment 2 of the staff report dated May 19, 2023 at a combined cost of $134,000 from Operating Account M310-8004 as the first year of a maximum 3 year Operating Grant;
3. Approve two (2) Project Grants as detailed in the Discussion section of the staff report dated May 19, 2023 at a combined cost of $9,563 in fiscal year 2023/24 from Operating Account M310-8004; and
4. Approve three (3) Capital Grants as detailed in the Discussion section of the staff report dated May 19, 2023 at a combined cost of $68,000 in fiscal year 2023/24 from Operating Account M310-8004.
15.2.2 Less than Market Value Lease: Unicorn Theatre, 11 Station Road, Head of St. Margaret’s Bay [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council authorize the Mayor and Municipal Clerk to execute a less than market value lease with The Unicorn Theatre Society for the premises located at 11 Station Road and the lease is to contain terms and conditions that are similar to those set out in Table 1 in the discussion section of the staff report dated June 5, 2023.
15.2.3 Less than Market Value Lease: Safety Minded ATV Association [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council approve a less than market value lease with the Safety Minded ATV Association for the premises located at 15 Station Road as per the key terms and conditions set out in Table 1 in the discussion section of the staff report dated June 5, 2023 and authorize the Mayor and Municipal Clerk to execute the finalized document.
15.2.4 Regional Special Events Grants Report 2023/24* [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:
1. Approve 14 Event Grants for a total of $12,550 as identified in Table 1 of the staff report dated June 5, 2023 from the approved 2023/24 Operating Budget – C760 Community/Civic Events;
i. 13 Community Celebrations totalling $7,550
ii. 1 Significant Anniversaries totalling $5,000
2. Approve 39 Established Community Events for a total of $211,025 as identified in Table 2 of the staff report dated June 5, 2023 from the approved 2023/24 Operating Budget – C760 Community/Civic Events;
3. Approve 15 Event Grants for a total of $233,000 as identified in Table 3 of the staff report dated June 5, 2023 from the approved 2023/24 Operating Budget – C760 Community/Civic Events funded from the 2023/24 Community and Events Reserve Q621;
i. 2 Established Community Events totalling $33,000
ii. 13 Cultural Events & Showcases totalling $200,000
4. Pending final approval of the 2024/25 budget, approve 39 Established Community Events for a total of $211,025 as identified in Table 2 of the staff report dated June 5, 2023 from the approved 2024/25 Operating Budget – C760 Community/Civic Events;
5. Pending final approval of the 2024/25 budget, approve 15 Event Grants for a total of $233,000 as identified in Table 3 of the staff report dated June 5, 2023 from the approved 2024/25 Operating Budget – C760 Community/Civic Events funded from the 2024/25 Community and Events Reserve Q621;
i. 2 Established Community Events totalling $33,000
ii. 13 Cultural Events & Showcases totalling $200,000
15.3 MEMBERS OF COUNCIL
15.3.1 Councillor Lovelace - Prioritizing Community Safety in HRM [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer to:
1. Develop a staff report outlining and prioritizing budgeted and non-budgeted initiatives within the 2023/24 Budget and Business Plan that will help mitigate and manage wildfire risk to communities; and
2. Provide an update to Council on the progress to enhance crisis communication capacity, which is listed as an objective in the Strategic Priorities Plan for 2021-2025.
15.3.2 Councillor Cuttell - Opening of Comfort Centres in HRM during crisis events [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to provide a staff report regarding the opening of comfort centres in HRM during crisis events, including an inventory of facilities, both HRM and community owned, that can be used as comfort centres across the municipality, and an evaluation of readiness of the centres to respond in the event of a crisis.
16. MOTIONS
16.1 Councillor Cleary
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council direct the Chief Administration Officer to review and provide recommendations on:
1. All boards, committees and commissions that include citizen volunteers, in an effort to reduce duplication, close gaps and increase efficiencies and resources optimization, and;
2. All standing committees of council, looking at the terns of reference, especially their duties, responsibilities, administration, and procedures, looking for improvements, efficiencies, and work that flows to Council.
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 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 June 9, 2023; and
2. Direct that the private and confidential report dated June 9, 2023 be maintained private and confidential.
17.2 LABOUR RELATIONS - Private and Confidential Report
A matter pertaining to reports, advice and recommendations, instruction or direction to officers and employees of the Municipality concerning labour relations and employee negotiations arising out of the contract or contract negotiations with one of the Municipalities unions.
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:
1. Adopt the recommendations as outlined in the private and confidential report dated June 13, 2023; and
2. Direct that the private and confidential report dated June 13, 2023 be maintained private and confidential.
17.3 LABOUR RELATIONS - Private and Confidential Report
A matter pertaining to reports, advice and recommendations, instruction or direction to officers and employees of the Municipality concerning labour relations and employee negotiations arising out of the contract or contract negotiations with one of the Municipalities unions.
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:
1. Adopt the recommendations as outlined in the private and confidential report dated June 13, 2023; and
2. Direct that the private and confidential report dated June 13, 2023 be maintained private and confidential.
17.4 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 June 14, 2023; and
2. Direct that the private and confidential report dated June 14, 2023 be maintained private and confidential.
18. ADDED ITEMS
Deletions:
15.1.5 Interim Councillor Appointment to the Board of Police Commissioners
Additions:
18.1 Fly-past Request – Closing Ceremony for the North American Indigenous Games [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council grant permission for the Canadian Armed Forces to fly an aircraft over the Halifax Commons Emera Oval at a height of 500 feet above the highest obstacle on July 21, 2023 at 20:30 hours for the Closing Ceremony for the North American Indigenous Games.
18.2 Ratification from Committee of the Whole - Case 22257: Regional Plan Review – Phase 4 Draft Plan Release
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council
1. Accept the Draft Regional Municipal Planning Strategy included in Attachment A of the staff report dated June 16, 2023 to be used for public engagement purposes;
2. Adopt the amendments to the Public Participation Program for the Regional Plan Review in
Attachment F of the staff report dated June 16, 2023 and direct the Chief Administrative Officer to follow the revised Public Participation Program for the Regional Plan Review as generally set out in Attachment B and as outlined in the Community Engagement section of the staff report dated June 16, 2023; and
3. Direct the Chief Administrative Officer to follow the revised work plan schedule as generally outlined in Attachment C of the staff report dated June 16, 2023 – Regional Plan Work Plan and Attachment D of the staff report dated June 16, 2023 – Site-Specific Requests.
19. NOTICES OF MOTION
20. ADJOURNMENT
________________________________________
INFORMATION ITEMS
June 20, 2023
1. Proclamation – Chinese People’s Railroad Day – July 1, 2023 [PDF]