Date:
Time: Immediately following Budget Committee, Reconvene 6:00 p.m. if Required
Location: Council Chamber, 3rd Floor City Hall, 1841 Argyle Street, Halifax
Minutes: December 12, 2023 Halifax Regional Council Minutes (PDF)
Agenda
(Joint Meeting with Halifax and West Community Council for the purposes of Item 15.5.1)
1. CALL TO ORDER AND LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
2. SPECIAL COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – November 28, 2023 Committee of the Whole and Regional Council
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, 15.1.5, 15.2.1, 15.3.1, 15.4.1, 15.4.2, 15.4.3, and 15.5.2
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 – NONE
11. NOTICES OF TABLED MATTERS – NONE
12. PUBLIC HEARING – NONE
13. CORRESPONDENCE, PETITIONS & DELEGATIONS
13.1 Correspondence
13.2 Petitions
14. INFORMATION ITEMS BROUGHT FORWARD – November 28, 2023
14.1 Councillor Smith – Halifax Regional Municipality Employee Living Wage [PDF]
15. REPORTS
15.1 CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
15.1.1 Halifax Public Libraries Collection Investment* [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council direct staff to plan and budget for increases to the Library material spending budget, based on Option 2 scenario described in the staff report dated November 15, 2023.
15.1.2 Proposed Amendments to Administrative Order 2014-007-ADM, Respecting Grants to Professional Arts Organizations [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council adopt the amendments to Administrative Order 2014-007-ADM, Respecting Grants to Professional Arts Organizations, as set out in Attachment 2 of the staff report dated September 25, 2023.
15.1.3 Proposed Amendments to Administrative Order 18, Respecting Revenue Collections Policy – Revised Tax Sale Fees [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council adopt the amendments to Administrative Order 18, the Revenue Collections Policy Administrative Order, as set out in Attachment B of the staff report dated October 26, 2023.
15.1.4 Halifax Regional Municipality Signing The Montréal Pledge – Cities United in Action for Biodiversity [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:
1. Suspend the rules of procedure under Schedule 5, the Environment and Sustainability Standing Committee Terms of Reference, of Administrative Order One, the Procedures of the Council Administrative Order;
2. Direct the Mayor to write a letter of support to the City of Montreal for Halifax Regional Municipality to become a signatory of The Montréal Pledge.
15.1.5 Administrative Order 50 – Declaration of Surplus Real Property – Package 09.23* [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:
1. Declare the properties, as categorized and listed in Attachments B, D, E, F, and G of the staff report dated October 30, 2023, surplus to municipal requirements pursuant to Administrative Order Number 50 Respecting the Disposal of Surplus Real Property.
2. Recategorize the properties in Attachment C to the staff report dated October 30, 2023, previously declared surplus by Regional Council from “Ordinary” to “Affordable Housing”; and
3. Recategorize the properties in Attachment H to the staff report dated October 30, 2023, previously declared surplus by Regional Council from “Ordinary” to “Intergovernmental Transfer”.
15.1.6 Proposed Administrative Order 2023-003-ADM Respecting the Municipal Registry of Volunteer Emergency Services Providers [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:
1. Adopt Administrative Order 2023-003-ADM, Respecting the Municipal Registry of Volunteer Emergency Service Providers, included as set out in Attachment 1 of the staff report dated October 5, 2023; and
2. Subject to adoption of Administrative Order 2023-003-ADM, approve the acceptance of six (6) nonprofit organizations as registrants listed in Appendix A of the Administrative Order.
15.1.7 Cogswell District Land Use Policies [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer to:
1. Initiate a process to amend the Regional Centre Secondary Municipal Planning Strategy and the Regional Centre Land Use By-law to develop land use policies and regulations for the Cogswell District Lands and surrounding lands, consistent with the review items outlined in the Discussion section of the staff report dated November 27, 2023.
2. Develop a strategy to support long-term affordable housing in the Cogswell District Lands, consistent with the review items outlined in the Discussion section of the staff report dated November 27, 2023; and
3. Follow the public participation program as set out in the Community Engagement section of the staff report dated November 27, 2023.
15.1.8 Regional Subdivision By-law Amendments - Security Options and Inspection Fees [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer to:
1. Initiate a process to consider amendments to the Regional Subdivision By-law to add development bonds as a security option for subdivisions with new infrastructure and revise how inspection fees are collected for the installation of primary and secondary services associated with subdivision; and
2. Adopt the public participation program as outlined in the Community Engagement section of the staff report dated November 22, 2023.
15.1.9 Case 22257: Regional Plan Review: Phase 4 Draft Plan What We Heard
- Report [PDF] - Large 80 MB File
- Presentation [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:
1. Accept the Draft Regional Plan What We Heard Report included as Attachment A of the staff report dated November 20, 2023; and
2. Direct the Chief Administrative Officer to follow the recommended approach to site-specific requests for Regional Plan amendments as generally outlined in Attachment B of the staff report dated November 20, 2023.
15.1.10 PLPROJ 2023-01544: Municipal Planning Strategy and Land Use By-law amendments to restrict water lot infilling on the Northwest Arm [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council give First Reading to consider proposed amendments to the Regional Centre Secondary Municipal Planning Strategy, the Halifax Municipal Planning Strategy, the Regional Centre Land Use By-law, and the Halifax Mainland Land Use By-law, as set out in Attachments A, B, C, and D of staff report dated December 6, 2023, to restrict water lot infilling on the Northwest Arm and schedule a public hearing.
15.2 COMMUNITY PLANNING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STANDING COMMITTEE
15.2.1 First Reading Proposed By-Law N-208, an amendment to By-law N-200 Respecting Noise - Construction Noise Updates* [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council give First Reading to By-law N-208, amending By-law N-200, the Noise By-law, as set out in Attachment B of the staff report dated September 27, 2023.
15.3 EXECUTIVE STANDING COMMITTEE
15.3.1 2024 Halifax Regional Municipality and Conseil scolaire acadien provincial (CSAP) Regular Election: Appointment of Returning Officer, Delegation of Authorities, and Use of Provincial List of Electors* [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:
1. Appoint Iain MacLean as the Returning Officer to conduct all regular and special elections required under the Municipal Elections Act, including both municipal and CSAP elections;
2. For the 2024 Halifax Regional Municipality and CSAP Elections, in accordance with the Municipal Elections Act, delegate the following authorities:
a. To the Clerk, the authority to appoint one or more Assistant Returning Officers;
b. To the Clerk, the authority to make, revise, and amend the tariff of fees and expenses; and
c. To the Retuning Officer, the authority to set the first advance polling date; and
3. Direct that the provincial list of electors be used in conducting the 2024 Halifax Regional Municipality and CSAP Elections
15.3.2 First Reading Proposed By-Law C-1102, an amendment to By-Law C-1000 Respecting Campaign Financing [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Reginal Council:
1. Adopt By-law C-1102 amending By-law C-1100, the Campaign Financing By-law, as set out in Attachment 1 (Revised) of the Executive Standing Committee report dated November 27, 2023; and
2. Direct the Chief Administrative Officer to conduct a review of the Campaign Finance By-law that considers inflation for the amount of campaign contribution and the maximum spending limits and that the review be completed prior to January 1 of an election year.
15.4 TRANSPORTATION STANDING COMMITTEE
15.4.1 Active School Travel Plan* [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer to initiate a Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) led program to facilitate active and safer transportation for school-based trips that includes:
1. Assessment of all schools in HRM by an external consultant to establish a list of schools sorted by priority where active school travel is most feasible and beneficial and that recommends safer school travel routes and priority infrastructure improvements;
2. Establishing a collaborative program between the HRM, the Halifax Regional Centre for Education, Conseil scolaire acadien provincial, and sector stakeholders/service providers to develop and deliver an Active School Travel education and promotion program; and
3. Funding to be considered as part of the 2025/26 budget process.
15.4.2 Halifax Transit Safety Program* [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer to draft a plan for a Halifax Transit Safety Program for further consideration.
15.4.3 Student Transit Pass Program* [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:
1. Approve the extension of Phase 2 of the Student Transit Pass Pilot Program, which includes four high schools and six junior high schools, to the end of the current school year (June 2024);
2. Accept a contribution of $185,000 from the Halifax Regional Centre for Education (HRCE) towards the extension of Phase 2 of the program and authorize the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to negotiate and execute a contribution agreement;
3. Approve the scope of the full implementation of the Student Pass Pilot Program as further detailed in the staff report dated November 4, 2023, with such implementation including 10 additional high schools and 27 junior high schools, pending funding approval; and
4. Direct the CAO to continue to pursue funding opportunities for the full expansion of the program, including Options F, G, and H in Table 1 of the staff report, dated November 4, 2023, with such expansion being conditional on the Municipality receiving financial contributions from third parties, including other levels of government, which, at least reasonably offset the anticipated shortfall in HRM Transit Revenue associated with such expansion and authorize the CAO to negotiate and execute agreements or arrangements that may be necessary to receive such funding and fully expand the Student Transit Pass Program.
15.5 HERITAGE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
15.5.1 Case 20218: Amendments to the Regional Centre Secondary Municipal Planning Strategy and associated development agreement for lands located at Robie Street Spring Garden Road, and Carlton Street, Halifax (Joint Meeting with Halifax and West Community Council) [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:
1. Give First Reading to consider the proposed amendments to the Regional Centre Secondary Municipal Planning Strategy, as set out in Attachment A of the staff report dated October 18, 2023, to broaden the scope of enabling policies IM-43, IM-44, and IM-46 and schedule a public hearing.
It is further recommended that Halifax and West Community Council:
2. Give Notice of Motion to consider the proposed development agreement, as set out in Attachment B of the staff report dated October 18, 2023, to permit a 30-storey mixed-use residential and commercial building on the southeast corner of the Robie Street and Spring Garden Road intersection, while rehabilitating four municipally registered heritage buildings on Carlton Street. The public hearing for the development agreement shall be held concurrently with that indicated in Recommendation 1.
15.5.2 Case H00560: Substantial Alteration to the municipally registered heritage property at 53 Queen Street, Dartmouth* [PDF] - Large 22 MB File
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council approve the proposed substantial alteration to 53 Queen Street, Dartmouth, which includes the rehabilitation and conservation of the circa 1914 former Dartmouth Post Office designed in the Edwardian Baroque style.
15.6 MEMBERS OF COUNCIL
15.6.1 Deputy Mayor Deagle Gammon – Council Compensation [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to provide a staff report to amend section 2CA of Administrative Order 17, effective November 1, 2023, to add “(3) The annual increase in remuneration paid to a Member shall not exceed the increase in the Average Industrial Weekly Earnings for all industries excluding unclassified businesses for Canada as reported by Statistics Canada for the same period and shall not exceed 4%.
16. MOTIONS
16.1 Councillor Cleary [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to provide a staff report on amending section 6 of By-law M-400, Respecting Marketing Levy, which would allow short-term rental (STR) operators with one STR unit to report and remit the collected marketing levy on a quarterly or semi-annual basis.
16.2 Councillor Cleary [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to provide a staff report on amending By-law (N-300) Respecting Nuisances and Smoking to add a clause that exterior lighting shall not be directed towards abutting lots or streets.
16.3 Deputy Mayor Deagle Gammon [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council direct the Chief Administrative Office (CAO) to provide a staff report to expand the Access-A-Bus service area to include the community surrounding all park and ride locations for door-to-door service; as well as a review of the half hour window for pick up notifications, and funding and tax implications for the 2025-2026 budget year.
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 – November 14, 2023
Motion:
That the In Camera (In Private) minutes of November 14, 2023 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 November 27, 2023; and
2. Direct that the private and confidential report dated November 27, 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 November 22, 2023; and
2. Direct that the private and confidential report dated November 22, 2023 be maintained private and confidential.
17.4 LEGAL MATTER - Private and Confidential Report
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.
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:
1. Adopt the recommendations as outlined in the private and confidential report dated December 7, 2023; and
2. Direct that the private and confidential report dated December 7, 2023 be maintained private and confidential.
18. ADDED ITEMS
18.1 Environment and Sustainability Standing Committee – Extended Producer Responsibility Municipal Registration [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:
1. Approve the registration of the Municipality for participation in the Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging, Paper Products and Packaging-Like Products program and direct the CAO to register the Municipality by no later than the January 1, 2024, deadline, and in accordance with the requirements of the Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging, Paper Products and Packaging-Like Products regulations; and,
2. Direct the CAO to negotiate and execute agreements, on terms and conditions satisfactory to the
CAO, and in accordance with the Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging, Paper Products and Packaging-Like Products regulations with applicable Producer Responsibility Organization(s) related to the Municipality’s curbside recycling collection and operation of the Municipality’s Materials Recovery Facility and as required, with Divert Nova Scotia.
18.2 Councillor Cuttell - Options to Increase Funding for Rural Transit Grants [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to provide a staff report outlining options for consideration during the 2024-25 annual budget process regarding amending Administrative Order 2014-012-ADM, respecting Grants for Rural Transit, to increase the flat rate per vehicle kilometre and/or the annual lump sum available to grant recipients.
18.3 Councillor Cuttell - Heritage de-registration of PID41518333 – surplus lands York Redoubt [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to provide a staff report initiating a heritage de-registration of PID41518333 (Lot 1SM1-1), a subdivided portion of a registered heritage property known as York Redoubt, located at 12 York Redoubt Crescent, Ferguson’s Cove, Nova Scotia.
18.4 Ratification from Budget Committee – Capital Update and Advanced Tenders
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council approve the schedule of 2024/25 advanced tender requests as per Attachment 1 of the staff report dated November 29, 2023.
18.5 Mayor Savage - Donation to the North End Community Centre
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:
1. Waive section 17 of Administrative Order One, requiring a staff report from the Chief Administrative Officer;
2. Direct the Chief Administrative Officer to make a donation to the North End Community Centre in the amount of $8,500.00 with funds from Cost Centre E300.
19. NOTICES OF MOTION
20. ADJOURNMENT
________________________________________
INFORMATION ITEMS
December 12, 2023
1. Memorandum from the Chief Administrative Officer dated October 24, 2023 re: Colour Coded Street Signs [PDF]
3. Proclamation – Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers Awareness Month – January 2024 [PDF]