Date:
Time: 10:00 a.m., Reconvene 6:00 p.m. if required
Location: Council Chamber, 3rd Floor City Hall, 1841 Argyle Street, Halifax
Minutes: June 18, 2024 Halifax Regional Council Minutes (PDF)
Agenda
1. CALL TO ORDER AND LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
2. SPECIAL COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – May 21, 22 & 23, May 28, & June 4, 2024
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, 15.1.2, 15.1.3, 15.1.5
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 – June 4, 2024
10.1 Halifax Regional Municipality Emergency Management Program Document Review [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:
1. Accept the recommendations in Attachment 1 of the staff report dated May 2, 2024;
2. Direct the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to implement the recommendations in Attachment 1 of the staff report dated May 2, 2024; and
3. Direct the CAO to report on status of implementation of report’s recommendations twice yearly to Executive Standing Committee.
11. NOTICES OF TABLED MATTERS – NONE
12. HERITAGE HEARING – 1:00 P.M.
12.1 Case H00578: Request to Include 1735 Henry Street, Halifax in the Registry of Heritage Properties for the Halifax Regional Municipality
- Report [PDF]
- Presentation [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council approve the request to include 1735 Henry Street, Halifax, in the Registry of Heritage Property for the Halifax Regional Municipality, as shown on Map 1 of the staff report dated March 26, 2024, as a municipal heritage property under the Heritage Property Act.
13. CORRESPONDENCE, PETITIONS & DELEGATIONS
13.1 Correspondence
13.2 Petitions
14. INFORMATION ITEMS BROUGHT FORWARD – NONE
15. REPORTS
15.1 CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
15.1.1 MPSA-2024-00338: Amendment to Municipal Planning Strategy and Land Use By-law Planning District 4 (Prospect) for lands at 1540 Prospect Road and PID 00656074, Hatchet Lake* [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer to:
1. Initiate a process to consider amendments to the Municipal Planning Strategy and Land Use By-law for Planning District 4 (Prospect) to enable light industrial use, including a vehicle and machinery maintenance and repair use, an accessory office use, and outdoor storage on lands at 1540 Prospect Road and PID 00656074 in the Residential B Designation, Hatchet Lake by development agreement; and
2. Follow Administrative Order 2023-002-ADM Respecting Public Participation for Planning Documents, Certain Planning Applications, and Engagement with Abutting Municipalities for the required public participation program and as outlined in the staff report dated May 21, 2024.
15.1.2 Appointment of Development Officers* [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council appoint Aaron Bliss and Michael Hart as Development Officers, pursuant to Subsection 258(1) of the Halifax Regional Municipality Charter, and that these appointments be effective for the duration of their current conditions of employment with the Halifax Regional Municipality.
15.1.3 Appointment of Heritage Officer* [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:
1. ratify and confirm the prior appointments by Council to the position of:
(a) Heritage Officer; and
(b) Alternate Heritage Officer, except Kurt Pyle;
have terminated; and
2. appoint Seamus McGreal as the Heritage Officer pursuant to Section 19G(1) of the Heritage Property Act, and that this appointment be effective for the duration of their current conditions of employment with the Halifax Regional Municipality.
15.1.4 Proposed Administrative Order 2024-003-ADM, Respecting Municipal Infrastructure Decision-Making – Corporate Asset Management Policy
- Report [PDF]
- Presentation [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council adopt the Administrative Order 2024-003-ADM, the Corporate Asset Management Policy, as set out in Attachment 1 to the staff report dated April 24, 2024.
15.1.5 Consideration of Active Transportation Facility Across Highway 101 Exit 2* [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:
1. Approve a combination of multi-use pathways and bridges, as further described in the Discussion section of the staff report dated April 30, 2024 as Concept Option 1, as the preferred option for a formal pedestrian and bicycling crossing between Sackville Manor Mobile Home Park and Old Sackville Road.
2. Request the Mayor write a letter to the Province requesting financial support in an amount that addresses all, or a significant percentage of, the capital costs associated with this project.
3. Direct the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to bring forward this project for consideration in the 2024/25 capital plan subject to significant Provincial and/or Federal cost sharing agreement that contains terms and conditions satisfactory to the CAO.
15.1.6 2024-2025 Events East Business Plan – Halifax Convention Centre & Ticket Atlantic [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council, in accordance with section 29 of the Halifax Convention Centre Act, approve the 2024-2025 Events East Business Plan for the Halifax Convention Centre Corporation, submitted to the municipality March 28, 2024, as set out in Attachment 1 of the staff report dated May 30, 2024.
15.1.7 Windsor Street Exchange Redevelopment Project: Functional Design
-Report [PDF]
-Attachment A - Summary of Work [PDF]
-Attachment B - Value Engineering Study Report Excerpts [PDF]
-Attachment C - Proposed Final Functional Design Drawings [Large 40 Mb PDF]
-Attachment D - CBCL Functional Design Report [Large 75 Mb 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. Endorse in principle the Windsor Street Exchange Functional Design to achieve the project
objectives as proposed in the staff report dated April 23, 2024;
3. Direct the Chief Administrative Officer to:
a. Advance the development of the design, project specifications, and plans, and identify land
requirements, as per the project delivery plan outlined in the staff report dated April 23, 2024;
b. Prepare contract documents to retain a design-build team for the project;
c. Proceed with negotiation of an amended Contribution Agreement with Transport Canada to extend
the deadline for substantial project completion to the end of 2027;
d. Investigate additional opportunities for external funding for consideration in future capital budget
updates.
15.1.8 Lockview High School All-Weather Field Track [Large 12 MB PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer to advance to the next stage of the Lockview High School Park All Weather Field Project, as set forth in the Discussion section of the staff report dated May 29, 2024, prior to receiving confirmation of full amount of the community contribution of $213,000.
15.2 ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY STANDING COMMITTEE
15.2.1 Second Reading Proposed By-law S-613, an Amendment to By-law S-600, Respecting Solid Waste Resource Collection and Disposal – Illegal Dumping and Litter Abatement Enforcement Update
- Report [PDF]
- Presentation [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council adopt By-law S-613, amending By-law S-600, the Solid Waste Resource Collection and Disposal By-Law, as set out in Attachment D of the staff report dated April 3, 2024.
15.3 MEMBERS OF COUNCIL
15.3.1 Councillor Austin – Dartmouth Cove Planning Amendments [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council direct:
1. That the Mayor write the federal minister of Transport expressing HRM’s objection to Transport Canada’s recent approval of infill in Dartmouth Cove without consultation with HRM and requesting that the Department rescind or pause the approval to allow HRM sufficient time to bring in a by-law;
2. That the Mayor write the Federal Minister of Fisheries thanking the Department for extending the consultation period for Dartmouth Cove and requesting that the Department wait on granting any permits in Dartmouth Cove until HRM can bring in a by-law; and
3. The Chief Administrative Officer to prepare a staff report with respect to initiating amendments to the Regional Centre Plan and Land-Use By-law to impose restrictions on infilling water lots in Dartmouth Cove like those that exist already in the Northwest Arm.
16. MOTIONS
16.1 Councillor Cuttell [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer to prepare a staff report with recommendations for a proactive vegetation management program for walkways, pathways, and trails that support active transit connections within communities.
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 – June 4, 2024
Motion:
That the In Camera (In Private) minutes of June 4, 2024 be approved as circulated.
17.2 PROPERTY MATTER - Private and Confidential Report – Deferred from May 21 & June 4, 2024
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 March 19, 2024; and
2. Direct that the private and confidential report dated March 19, 2024 be maintained private and confidential.
17.3 CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS - Deferred from June 4, 2024
A matter pertaining to contract negotiations and legal advice.
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council convene to In Camera to discuss the matter.
17.4 INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS - Private and Confidential Report - Deferred from June 4, 2024
A matter pertaining to any subject, the discussion of which could, violate the confidentiality of information obtained from another body of government, or a public body.
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:
1. Adopt the recommendations as outlined in the private and confidential report dated May 21, 2024; and
2. Direct that the private and confidential report dated May 21, 2024 be maintained private and confidential.
17.5 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 May 28, 2024; and
2. Release the private and confidential report dated May 28, 2024 to the public once the conditions as outlined in the report have been met.
17.6 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 May 23, 2024; and
2. Direct that the private and confidential report dated May 23, 2024 be maintained private and confidential.
17.7 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 June 6, 2024; and
2. Release the private and confidential report dated June 6, 2024 to the public once the conditions as outlined in the report have been met.
Private and Confidential Information Items
1. Private and Confidential In Camera (In Private) Information Report - re: Personnel Matter
18. ADDED ITEMS
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:
17.8 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 June 17, 2024; and
2. Direct that the private and confidential report dated June 17, 2024 be maintained private and confidential.
18.1 Councillors Cuttell and Lovelace - Inadequate Septage Disposal Sites in HRM [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to return to Council with recommendations on actions the municipality can take to more adequately address HRM’s rapid growth in septage disposal requirements amounts from residents and businesses in suburban and rural areas not serviced by municipal wastewater systems, which are dependent upon privately operated septage hauling and are responsible for the care and maintenance of their private septic systems that are regulated by Nova Scotia Environment and Climate Change.
To promote healthy, sustainable, livable communities and protect the environment and the economy, it is further recommended that Halifax Regional Council:
1. waive section 17 of Administrative Order One, requiring a staff report from the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO); and
a. direct the Mayor to write a letter to the Minister of Environment requesting development of a comprehensive long-term strategy for management of on-site septic systems in partnership with municipalities and industry, including considerations regarding installation, maintenance, and management of by-products with capacity considerations to accommodate growth and business continuity.
b. direct the CAO to write a letter to Halifax Water requesting that they prepare an information report to the Environment and Sustainability Standing Committee outlining Halifax Water’s current capacity to accept septage from private systems and existing regulatory constraints.
2. The CAO to prepare an information report for the Environment and Sustainability Standing Committee outlining the current role and legislative authority of the municipality with respect to private septage with consideration of the federal, provincial and municipal regulatory framework for disposal of septage, potential amendments to the legislative and regulatory framework for Halifax Regional Municipality of Halifax Regional Water Commission, increases in fines for illegal dumping of septage; and developing increased capacity for disposal of septage within HRM.
19. NOTICES OF MOTION
20. ADJOURNMENT
________________________________________
INFORMATION ITEMS
June 18, 2024
1. Proclamation – Sickle Cell Awareness Day – June 19, 2024 [PDF]
2. Proclamation – World Kidney Cancer Day – June 20, 2024 [PDF]
6. Proclamation – Indigenous History Month & Indigenous People’s Day – June 2024 [PDF]