Date:
Time: 1:00 p.m., Reconvene 6:00 p.m.
Location: Council Chamber, 3rd Floor City Hall, 1841 Argyle Street, Halifax
Minutes: September 26, 2023 Halifax Regional Council Minutes (PDF)
Agenda
1. CALL TO ORDER AND LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
• Special Presentation – Steven Pitt, Leader of Council, Portsmouth, United Kingdom
2. SPECIAL COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – September 12, 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: 15.1.1, 15.1.2, 15.1.3, 15.2.1, 15.3.1, and 15.3.2.
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 12, 2023
10.1 Mill Cove Library
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council direct staff to plan and budget for 21,000 square feet of functional library space within the planned Mill Cove Ferry Terminal.
10.2 Funding for Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness Conference
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:
1. Suspend the rules of procedure under Schedule 2, the Audit and Finance Standing Committee Terms of Reference, of Administrative Order One, the Procedures of the Council Administrative Order, requiring the Standing Committee to review and make recommendations on proposed changes in any operating or project budget items;
2. Approve an unbudgeted reserve withdrawal from Reserve Q421;
3. Direct the Chief Administrative Officer to allocate up-to $20,000 from the Options Reserve as sponsorship funding to the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness Conference, taking place in Halifax this November 3rd to November 10th.
10.3 Councillor Lovelace - Emergency preparedness for CSAP and HRCE schools in HRM
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer to provide a staff report and return to Council with details on and recommendations for emergency preparedness for CSAP and HRCE schools in HRM including:
1. emergency evacuation plans or timeline to deliver evacuation plans for each school;
2. roles, responsibilities, and resources expected of HRM to implement and support those plans;
3. timeline for tabletop exercises and Command Post/Full Scale exercises and training for evacuation involving students and staff leaving school property and relocating; and,
4. school community communications plans.
10.4 Councillor Lovelace - Transfer of provincial PIDs within HRM’s municipal road boundary
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:
1. waive section 17 of Administrative Order One, Respecting the Procedures of the Council, requiring a staff report from the Chief Administrative Officer; and
2. direct the Chief Administrative Officer write to the Province of Nova Scotia to request that they provide:
a) a plan for identification and transfer of provincial road reserves, parkland via subdivision, and stormwater infrastructure such as drainage corridors that should have been transferred to the municipality resulting from past provincial property transfers in 2006 and 2022; and,
b) a description of their maintenance standards and planned activities to maintain/upgrade provincial stormwater infrastructure, including drainage corridors outside of and within the municipal service boundary, that fall under provincial authority in the Halifax Regional Municipality.
11. NOTICES OF TABLED MATTERS – NONE
12. PUBLIC HEARING – 6:00 P.M.
12.1 Cases 21946-A and 21946-B: Amendments to the Bedford Municipal Planning Strategy and associated development agreements for lands at the intersections of Southgate Drive and Bedford Highway and Glenmont Avenue and Bedford Highway, Bedford (Joint Meeting with North West Community Council
- Report [PDF]
- Staff Presentation [PDF]
- Applicant Presentation [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:
1. adopt the proposed amendments to the Municipal Planning Strategy for Bedford, as set out in Attachment A of the staff report dated July 13, 2023.
It is further recommended that North West Community Council:
2. Provisionally approve the proposed development agreement for a six-storey multi-unit dwelling, which shall be substantially of the same form as contained in Attachment B of the staff report dated July 13, 2023;
3. Require the development agreement contained in Attachment B of the staff report dated July 13, 2023 be signed by the property owner within 120 days, or any extension thereof granted by Council on request of the property owner, from the date of final approval by Council and any other bodies as necessary, including applicable appeal periods, whichever is later, otherwise this approval will be void and obligations arising hereunder shall be at an end;
4. Provisionally approve the proposed development agreement for one 16,000 square foot commercial building and five single unit dwellings, which shall be substantially of the same form as contained in Attachment C of the staff report dated July 13, 2023; and
5. Require the development agreement contained in Attachment C of the staff report dated July 13, 2023 be signed by the property owner within 120 days, or any extension thereof granted by Council on request of the property owner, from the date of final approval by Council and any other bodies as necessary, including applicable appeal periods, whichever is later, otherwise this approval will be void and
obligations arising hereunder shall be at an end.
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 First Reading Proposed By-law S-452, an Amendment to By-law S-400, Respecting Charges for Street Improvements*
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council give First Reading to By-Law S-452, amending By-Law S-400, the Street Improvement By-Law, as set out in Attachment 1 of the staff report dated August 14, 2023.
15.1.2 First Reading Proposed By-law V-201, an Amendment to By-law V-200, Respecting Immobilization of Vehicles on Private Property - REVISED*
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council give First Reading to By-law V-201, amending By-law V-200, Respecting Immobilization of Vehicles on Private Property, as set out in Attachment B to the staff report dated September 19, 2023.
15.1.3 Fall 2023 Temporary Borrowing Resolution and Debenture*
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:
1. Approve a Temporary Borrowing Resolution of $191,823,182 for financing of current debt-funded projects in-progress from the 2023/24 and prior capital projects, per Attachment 1 of the staff report dated September 20, 2023;
2. Approve a Temporary Borrowing Resolution of $80,489,549 for financing of the debt-funded projects from previous capital budgets that have reached substantial completion and are eligible for Fall 2023 Debenture Issue application, per Attachment 2 of the staff report dated September 20, 2023; and
3. Authorize the Mayor and Municipal Clerk to sign the Resolution for Pre-Approval of Debenture Issuance, subject to interest rate confirmation not to exceed 6.5%, to enable the Halifax Regional Municipality to issue a 10-year debenture of $80,489,549, per attachment 3 of the staff report dated September 20, 2023.
15.2 GRANTS COMMITTEE
15.2.1 Volunteer Search and Rescue Grants Program - Fiscal Year 2023-24*
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council amend the motion on the floor from the August 22, 2023, Regional Council meeting to:
1. Approve an additional $25,212.55 in Operating Grants for the three (3) Volunteer Ground Search and Rescue Teams listed in Table 1 of the Discussion section of the staff report dated August 23, 2023,
2. Approve a one-time operating grant to the Sheet Harbour and Area Ground Search and Rescue equivalent to an operating grant under Administrative Order 2014-018-ADM in the amount of $33,352.23,
3. Direct the Chief Administrative Officer to prepare a recommendation report with respect to the feasibility of repealing Administrative Order 2014-018-ADM Grants to Volunteer Search and Rescue/EMO Organizations and replacing the current policy with a Municipal Service Agreement model for each of those Ground Search and Rescue Teams recognized by Halifax Regional Municipality,
4. Direct the Chief Administrative Officer to prepare a recommendation report with respect to the implementation of a Municipal Registry for Emergency Service Providers pursuant to Section 306 of the Halifax Regional Municipality Charter, and
5. Direct the Chief Administrative Officer to include an increase in funding to volunteer emergency service providers for consideration in the fiscal 2024/25 budget process.
15.2.2 Graham's Grove Building - Less than Market Value Leases
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:
1. Approve entering into a less than market value lease agreement with the Kiwanis Club of Dartmouth Charitable Foundation for a portion of the premises located at 45 Graham’s Grove with key terms set out in Table 1 of the staff report dated June 28, 2023, and that Council authorize the Mayor and Municipal Clerk to execute the less than market value lease agreement.
2. Approve entering into a less than market value lease agreement with the Dartmouth Dragon Boat Association for a portion of the premises located at 45 Graham’s Grove with key terms set out in Table 2 of the staff report dated June 28, 2023, and that Council authorize the Mayor and Municipal Clerk to execute the less than market value lease agreement.
15.3 SPECIAL EVENTS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
15.3.1 2023/24 Marketing Levy Special Event Reserve (MLSER) 2nd Intake Report*
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council approve an event grant in the amount of $25,000 from the 2023/24 Community and Events Reserve (Q621) to fund Soccer Nova Scotia to host the Canada Soccer Toyota National Championships.
15.3.2 Event Evaluation Criteria*
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer to coordinate with all relevant partners to review the processes and ways to analyze pre- and post-event evaluation of the events criteria and any improvements to the events granting process.
15.4 MEMBERS OF COUNCIL
15.4.1 Councillor Smith – Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) Standing Committees
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council pass a resolution to endorse Councillor Lindell Smith a member of Council to continue serving on the Federation of Canadian Municipalities Standing Committee on Anti Racism and Equity and Standing Committee on Municipal Finance, Infrastructure and Transportation, as a non-board member, for the period starting in May 2023 and ending June 2024, and that the council assumes all costs associated with attending FCM’s Board of Directors meetings.
16. MOTIONS
16.1 Councillor Mason
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer to prepare a staff report regarding potential amendments to Administrative Order 1, Respecting the Procedures of the Council, the purpose of which is to consider expanding the use of the Consent Agenda to include other items not prevented by law including in camera reports.
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 – August 22 & September 12, 2023
Motion:
That the In Camera (In Private) minutes of August 22 & September 12, 2023 be approved as circulated.
17.2 CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS - Private and Confidential Report – Deferred from September 12, 2023
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 August 29, 2023; and
2. Direct that the private and confidential report dated August 29, 2023 be maintained private and confidential.
17.3 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 September 20, 2023; and
2. Direct that the private and confidential report dated September 20, 2023 be maintained private and confidential.
Private and Confidential Information Items
1. Private and Confidential In Camera (In Private) Information Report - re: Intergovernmental Relations
18. ADDED ITEMS
18.1 Housing Accelerator Fund Application Update
-Report [PDF]
-Presentation [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:
1. Direct the Chief Administrative Officer:
a. To respond to the letter from the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada, as included in Attachment A to the staff report dated September 25, 2023, to indicate HRM will include the initiatives as generally outlined, and further detailed in the staff report dated September 25, 2023, along with all additional required documentation to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation as the Municipality’s application under the Housing Accelerator Fund program to the extent the Municipality has the authority to do so;
b. Expedite amendments to the Regional Plan and supporting secondary planning strategies and land use by-laws (following the closure of the Regional Plan Review Phase 4 Public Participation Program on October 27, 2023) to enable:
i. a minimum of four units per lot in all residential zones across the municipality, and
ii. increase to the maximum height in all Centre Plan Established Residential Zones from 11 metres to 12 metres;
c. To create a public-facing affordable housing strategy, including a non-market component, as outlined in the staff report dated September 25, 2023 and to dedicate a Housing Accelerator Fund position to this work;
d. To work with HRM post-secondary institutions to increase density and create opportunities for student housing within a walking distance from post-secondary institutions across HRM; and
2. Request the Mayor to write a letter to the Province requesting a legislative amendment to grant the Chief Administrative Officer the authority to discharge existing development agreements where the development agreement is more restrictive than the as-of-right zoning.
18.2 Councillor Nominations to Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities (NSFM) [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:
1. Suspend the rules of procedures under Schedule 6 of Administrative Order One, Executive Standing Committee Terms of Reference, requiring the Executive Standing Committee to review the nominations outlined in this report and make a recommendation to Regional Council;
2. Nominate one (1) Councillor, who is the successful candidate receiving the most votes, after a vote by secret ballot, as the Halifax Regional Municipality Representative to sit on the Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities Board (NSFM) for a two-year term; and
3. Nominate one (1) Councillor, who is the successful candidate receiving the second most votes, after a vote by secret ballot, as the Halifax Regional Municipality Representative to sit on the Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities Board (NSFM) for a one-year term.
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:
17.4 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 September 26, 2023; and
2. Direct that the private and confidential report dated September 26, 2023 be maintained private and confidential.
Private and Confidential Information Items
2. Private and Confidential In Camera (In Private) Information Report - re: Personnel Matter
19. NOTICES OF MOTION
20. ADJOURNMENT
INFORMATION ITEMS
September 26, 2023
________________________________________
1. Proclamation – National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – September 30, 2023
2. Proclamation – Mi’kmaq Treaty Day – October 1, 2023
3. Proclamation – Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Awareness Month – September 2023