April 25, 2023 Regional Council

Date: April 25, 2023

Time: Immediately following Budget Committee, Reconvene 6:00 p.m. if Required

Location: Council Chamber, 3rd Floor City Hall, 1841 Argyle Street, Halifax

Minutes: April 25, 2023 Regional Council Minutes (PDF)

Video: April 25, 2023 Regional Council Video

Agenda

1. CALL TO ORDER AND LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

2. SPECIAL COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – April 4, 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: 13.1.1, 13.1.2, 15.1.1, 15.1.4, 15.1.6, 15.1.7, 15.2.1, and 15.3.1.

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 – February 7, 2023
10.1 Proposed Tax Relief for Non-Profit Organizations Program Redesign – Supplementary Report [PDF]
10.1i – Staff Report dated January 31, 2023[PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council amend item 1 of the motion of February 7, 2023, and add item 3 so the motion would read as follows:

That Halifax Regional Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer to direct staff to

1. Draft a new Administrative Order as outlined in the Discussion section of the staff recommendation report dated January 23, 2023, to repeal and replace Administrative Order 2014-001-ADM Respecting Tax Relief for Non-Profit Organizations, with the following amendments:

(a) the maximum tax payable per property be increased to $25,000 for proposed Schedules A, B, C, E, F, G and H; and

(b) a maximum tax payable per property of $25,000 be added for proposed Schedule D Organizations Providing Affordable Rental Accommodations so the maximum tax payable amount is the lesser of:

(i) the maximum payment per dwelling unit threshold; or
(ii) $25,000;

2. Report to the HRM Grants Committee for consideration of the resulting draft Administrative Order; and

3. Initiate communication with those organizations currently accepted into the Tax Relief for Non-Profit Organizations Program.

11. NOTICES OF TABLED MATTERS – NONE

12. HERITAGE HEARING – 1:00 P.M.
12.1 Case H00542: Request to Include 6112 Coburg Road, Halifax in the Registry of Heritage Property for the Halifax Regional Municipality
- Report [PDF]
- Presentation [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council approve the request to include 6112 Coburg Road 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.

13. CORRESPONDENCE, PETITIONS & DELEGATIONS
13.1 Correspondence
13.1.1 Fly-past Request – Canadian Forces Snowbirds* [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council grant permission for the Snowbirds to fly aircrafts for the following flights to occur at a minimum altitude of 500 feet above ground level (AGL) over Halifax Regional Municipality and that authorization be granted for the duration of 0700-2000hrs on the following dates:
•   Rehearsal overflight on Friday June 30;
•   Aerial show performance overflight on Saturday July 1; and
•   If required, a weather date performance overnight on Sunday July 2.

13.1.2 Fly-past Request – COVE Demo Day* [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council grant permission for a fly-by by Canadian Armed Forces aircraft as low as 500 feet, for the planned COVE Demo Day being held at COVE 27 Parker Street Dartmouth for transit, practice, and shows on June 14th, 2023.

13.2 Petitions

14. INFORMATION ITEMS BROUGHT FORWARD – NONE

15. REPORTS
15.1 CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
15.1.1 HRM 4-Pad Naming Rights* [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:

1. Award the naming rights opportunity for the HRM 4-Pad facility, located in Bedford, to the proponent, subject to the negotiation of terms and conditions that, in the determination of HRM’s Chief Administrative Officer (CAO)

a. complies with Administrative Order 56,

b. achieves the Key Negotiation Objectives as are outlined in Table 1 of the in camera report dated April 12, 2023 and

c. is in the best interest of the Municipality;

2. Authorize and direct the CAO to execute a naming rights agreement for the HRM 4-Pad that, in the CAO’s determination and to the CAO’s satisfaction, aligns with Council’s directives as described in Recommendation 1 of the staff report dated April 12, 2023;

3. Authorize and direct the CAO to waive or reduce fees under Administrative Order 2019-010-ADM, Respecting Recreation User Charges and By-law U-106 the User Charges By-law, if required, to assist staff in their negotiation of a naming rights agreement that, in the CAO’s satisfaction, aligns with Council’s directives; and

4. Direct staff not to release the private and confidential in camera report to the public until the naming rights agreement has been executed, and then only to the extent required by-law.

15.1.2 First Reading By-law P-510, an Amendment to By-law P-500, Respecting Parking Meters and Pay Stations for the Regulation of Parking of Vehicles Left Standing in the Halifax Regional Municipality – Pay Station and Other Parking Fine Incremental Increases [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council give First Reading to By-law P-510, amending By-law P-500, as set out in Attachment B to the staff report dated April 13, 2023.

15.1.3 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 [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council give First Reading to consider 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 staff report dated April 14, 2023, and schedule a public hearing.

15.1.4 Administrative Order 50 Disposal of Surplus Property – PID 40107138 - 9 Spring Street, Bedford* [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:

1. Declare Lot 19-R, 9 Spring Street, Bedford, currently represented by PID 40107138 (the “Property”), surplus and no longer required for the purposes of the Municipality pursuant to Administrative Order 50;

2. Categorize the Property as “Community Interest “property pursuant to Administrative Order 50;

3. Allow the Property to be disposed of by Direct Sale pursuant to s. 12 of Schedule 1 of Administrative Order 50;

4. Set a date for a public hearing to consider the sale of the Property to the Nova Scotia Salmon Association, as per the terms and conditions set out in Table 1 of the staff report dated April 13, 2023.

15.1.5 Region Wide Approach to Shared Housing [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council give First Reading to the proposed amendments to the Secondary Municipal Planning Strategies for Bedford and Planning Districts 8 and 9 and Land Use By-laws for Beaver Bank/ Hammonds Plains/ Upper Sackville; Bedford; Cole Harbour/ Westphal; Eastern Passage/ Cow Bay; Halifax Mainland; North Preston/ Lake Major/ Lake Loon/ Cherry Lake/ East Preston; Sackville Drive; Sackville; and Timberlea/ Lakeside/ Beechville, as set out in Attachments A and B of the staff report dated April 19, 2023, to perform minor housekeeping amendments related to shared housing and tiny homes and to remove the Senior Citizen Housing land use from the Beaver Bank/ Hammonds Plains/ Upper Sackville Land Use By-law, and schedule a public hearing.

15.1.6 First Reading By-law B-206, an Amendment to By-law B-201 Respecting the Building Code, By-law F-203, Repealing By-law F-200 Respecting Fees for Permits and Licenses and Amending By-law R-100 Respecting the Repeal of By-laws and Ordinances, and By-law U-115, an Amendment to By-law U-100 Respecting User Charges – Building Permit and License, Permits and Processing Fees* [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council give First Reading to:

1. By-law B-206, amending By-law B-201, the Building By-law, as set out in Attachment F of the staff report dated April 18, 2023;

2. By-law F-203, repealing the Fees By-law and amending By-law R-100, the By-Law and Ordinance Repeal By-law, as set out in Attachment G of the staff report dated April 18, 2023; and

3. By-law U-115, amending the User Fees By-law, as set out in Attachment H of the staff report dated April 18, 2023.

15.1.7 Renewal Downie Wenjack Legacy Room Project* [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:

1. Direct the CAO to renew the agreement with the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund (See Attachment 1 of the staff report dated April 19, 2023) to continue the Downie Wenjack Legacy Room located in Halifax Regional Municipality City Hall.

2. Approve a yearly contribution in the amount of $5,000.00 for an additional five-year term to support the continued cross-cultural reconciliation project the Downie Wenjack Legacy Room under the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund (GDCWF) at the AMIK benefit level (See Attachment 2 of the staff report dated April 19, 2023);

3.Through the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, continue to be a Downie Wenjack ambassador committed to reconciliation and consistent reconciliActions through the year, both in workplace and surrounding community;

4. Through the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, continue to educate those who come into the Legacy Space about the story of Chanie Wenjack, the residential school and the true history of Indigenous Peoples in Canada; and

5.Through the Office of Diversity & Inclusion, provide the new online training modules developed about the intention of the Legacy Space and reconciliation.

15.2 TRANSPORTATION STANDING COMMITTEE
15.2.1 Hammonds Plains Road and Lucasville Road – Intersection Improvements* [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer to:

1. Prioritize short-term operational improvements to the signalized intersection, including upgrades to the traffic controller cabinet and vehicle detection, along with updated signal timing plans; and

2. Ensure appropriate, longer-term intersection modifications, including accommodation of pedestrians, cyclists, and transit, are appropriately planned for through the development review process.

15.3 GRANTS COMMITTEE
15.3.1 Tax Relief for Non-Profit Organizations Program Fiscal 2022/23 – Referral of Nova Scotia Regional Tennis Development Association* [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council retain the Nova Scotia Regional Tennis Development Association on Schedule 29 of the Tax Relief for Non-Profit Organizations Administrative Order pending the implementation of a new Administrative Order respecting tax relief.

15.4 MEMBERS OF COUNCIL
15.4.1 Councillor Hendsbee - Road Trail [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to provide a staff report
regarding the new provincial Road Trails Act legislation that allows municipalities to designate certain streets as 'Road Trails' as a way for Off Highway Vehicles to access off road trail corridors.

15.4.2 Councillor Lovelace – Amendments for By-law C-1100 [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to provide a staff report and return to Council with recommendations to amend By-law C-1100 Respecting Campaign Financing to:

1. Restrict campaign contributions from foreign actors;

2. Re-evaluate maximum campaign spending considering inflationary rise in expenses;

3. Align the campaign Contribution Period with Nominated Candidacy;

4. Manage or impede third-party contributions for election advertising; and,

5. Address housekeeping amendments.

15.4.3 Mayor Savage – Resolution to Address the Crisis of Homelessness [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:

1. Waive section 17 of Administrative Order One, requiring a staff report from the Chief Administrative Officer; and

2. Endorse the resolution attached to the April 25, 2023 Request for Council Consideration form entitled “Urgent Action Needed to Address the Crisis of Homelessness”.

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 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 April 25, 2023; and
2. Direct that the private and confidential report dated April 25, 2023 be maintained private and confidential.

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 April 13, 2023; and
2. Direct that the private and confidential report dated April 13, 2023 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 April 18, 2023; and
2. Direct that the private and confidential report dated April 18, 2023 be maintained private and confidential.

17.4 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 April 19 2023; and
2. Direct that the private and confidential report dated April 19, 2023 be maintained private and confidential.

Private and Confidential Information Items
1. Private and Confidential In Camera (In Private) Information Report - re: Property Matter

18. ADDED ITEMS

18.1 Ratification from Budget Committee – Proposed 2023/24 Budget
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer to adopt the Resolution for Approval of Operating and Capital Budgets and Tax Rates for Fiscal 2023/24 as set out in Schedule 1 of the staff report dated April 18, 2023, as amended.

Information Item 15 – Proclamation – Health and Safety Week – May 1 – 6, 2023 [PDF]

Information Item 16 – Proclamation – Canadian Cancer Society Daffodil Campaign – April 2023 [PDF]

19. NOTICES OF MOTION

20. ADJOURNMENT

________________________________________

INFORMATION ITEMS
April 25, 2023

1. Proclamation – Halifax Celtic Cultural Festival – April 19-23, 2023 [PDF]

2. Proclamation – National Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Week – April 23-29, 2023 [PDF]

3. Proclamation – Gaelic Nova Scotia Month – May 2023 [PDF]

4. Proclamation – Huntington Disease Awareness Month – May 2023 [PDF]

5. Proclamation – Heart Failure Awareness Week – May 1-7, 2023 [PDF]

6. Proclamation – Jewish Heritage Month – May 2023 [PDF]

7. Proclamation – Lyme Disease Awareness Month – May 2023 [PDF]