Date:
Time: 1:00 p.m., Reconvene 6:00 p.m.
Location: Council Chamber, 3rd Floor City Hall, 1841 Argyle Street, Halifax
Minutes: September 12, 2023 Halifax Regional Council Minutes (PDF)
Agenda
REVISED
1. CALL TO ORDER AND LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
2. SPECIAL COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – August 22, 2023
4. APPROVAL OF THE ORDER OF BUSINESS AND APPROVAL OF ADDITIONS AND DELETIONS
PLEASE NOTE: The intention is to move section 17. In Camera up, to follow section 8. Motions of Reconsideration. A change to the order of business is subject to a vote by Regional Council.
5. CONSENT AGENDA*
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council approve recommendations in the following items: 15.1.2, 15.1.5, 15.2.1, 15.3.1, 15.4.1, 15.4.2, 15.4.3, 15.4.4, and 15.4.5.
6. BUSINESS ARISING OUT OF THE MINUTES
7. CALL FOR DECLARATION OF CONFLICT OF INTERESTS
8. MOTIONS OF RECONSIDERATION – NONE
9. MOTIONS OF RESCISSION – April 2, 2019
9.1 Councillor Mason [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council rescind a portion of Item 15.3.1 from the April 2, 2019 Regional Council meeting which requested a staff report in part 3 of the motion as follows:
“THAT Halifax Regional Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer to:
…
3. Based upon rider interest and findings from the preceding pilot program, consider development of a business case for expanding the service to additional terminals and/or additional buses/ferries and present the results to Regional Council.”
10. CONSIDERATION OF DEFERRED BUSINESS – NONE
11. NOTICES OF TABLED MATTERS – NONE
12. PUBLIC HEARING – 6:00 P.M.
12.1 Region Wide Approach to Shared Housing – Supplementary Report
- Report [PDF]
- Presentation [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council adopt the proposed amendments to the Secondary Municipal Planning Strategy and Land Use Bylaw for Beaver Bank/ Hammonds Plains/ Upper Sackville, to establish Senior Citizens Housing use as an existing use on specified lots, as set out in Attachments A & B of the revised supplementary staff report dated July 7, 2023.
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 Second Reading Proposed By-Law B-800, Respecting Business Opening Hours in Residential Neighbourhoods - Case 22020
- Report [PDF]
- Memo [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council adopt By-law B-800 Respecting Business Opening Hours in Residential Neighbourhoods as set out in Attachment A of the staff report dated September 23, 2022.
15.1.2 Mill Cove Library* [PDF]
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.
15.1.3 Proposed Amendments to Administrative Order 15, Respecting License, Permit and Processing Fees – By-law S-300 Permit Fees for 23-24 Budget [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council adopt the amendments to Administrative Order 15, the License, Permits and Process Fees Administrative Order, as set out in Attachment A to the staff report dated July 13, 2023.
15.1.4 Case 20218: Initiation for site-specific Secondary Municipal Planning Strategy (SMPS) amendments for lands located at Robie Street, Spring Garden Road, and Carlton Street, Halifax [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:
1. Initiate a process to consider amendments to the Regional Centre Secondary Municipal Planning Strategy to broaden the scope of enabling policies IM-43, IM-44, and IM-46; and
2. Follow the public participation program for municipal planning strategy amendments as outlined within the Community Engagement section of the staff report dated August 8, 2023.
15.1.5 Facility Operating Agreement – Prospect Road Community Centre* [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council authorize the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to execute a Facility Operating Agreement with the Resource Opportunities Centre – Community Development Association Serving Prospect Road Area for the Prospect Road Community Centre facility at 2141 Prospect Road, substantially in the same form as set out in Attachment 1 of the staff report dated July 25, 2023.
15.1.6 Funding for Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness Conference [PDF]
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.
15.1.7 Homelessness Strategy Update
-Report [PDF]
-Presentation [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:
1. direct the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to lease private property, if possible, as locations for persons experiencing homelessness to shelter.
2. endorse an exception to the June 14, 2022, criteria prohibiting the use of active sports fields for homeless encampments for use of the Halifax Common camping for the purpose of sheltering.
3. direct the CAO to establish additional encampments, temporary housing, or tiny home locations on all types of municipality-owned properties. Such sites may include rights of way, parking lots, and surplus lands.
4. direct the CAO to write to the province requesting their immediate plans to create deeply affordable housing options in HRM.
5. direct the CAO to explore the options of the non-park property types outlined in the staff report dated September 4, 2023, as well as campgrounds, and outdoor facilities, as locations for unhoused persons who are sheltering in a vehicle.
15.2 TRANSPORTATION STANDING COMMITTEE
15.2.1 Summer Sunday Road Closures Policy* [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer to draft amendments to S-300, the Streets By-law, to provide a clear process for requests for summer Sunday road closures on municipally owned roads, as outlined in the staff report dated August 8, 2023.
15.3 AUDIT COMMITTEE
15.3.1 Year End Financial Statements & Fourth Quarter Financial Report* [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council approve:
1. The Consolidated Financial Statements of the Halifax Regional Municipality for the year ended March 31, 2023;
2. The Statement of General Rate Surplus of the Halifax Regional Municipality for the year ended March 31, 2023;
3. Transfer of $3,079,234 to the Options Reserve, Q421, to reduce the general rate surplus to zero.
4. The financial statements of the Halifax Regional Municipality Miscellaneous Trust Funds for the year ended March 31, 2023; and,
5. The appointment of KPMG to be the External Auditor for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024.
6. The Fourth Quarter report for 2022/23 on District Capital, District Activity, Recreation Area Rates, Hospitality Expenses, and Expenses for Reportable Individuals.
7. Approve unbudgeted withdrawals of $17,480,281 from the Capital Fund Reserve, Q526 to fund a shortfall in CAPPOOL in fiscal 2023/24.
15.4 HERITAGE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
15.4.1 Case H00563: Request to Include 6484 - 6484 1/2 Jubilee Road, Halifax in the Registry of Heritage Property for the Halifax Regional Municipality* [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council set a date for a heritage hearing to consider the inclusion of 6484-6484 1/2 Jubilee Road, Halifax in the Registry of Heritage Property for the Halifax Regional Municipality as shown on Map 1 of the staff report dated July 20, 2023 as a municipal heritage property under the Heritage Property Act.
15.4.2 Case H00564: Request to Include 1741-1743 Henry Street, Halifax in the Registry of Heritage Properties for the Halifax Regional Municipality* [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council set a date for a heritage hearing to consider the inclusion of 1741-1743 Henry Street, Halifax in the Registry of Heritage Property for the Halifax Regional Municipality as shown on Map 1 of the staff report dated August 3, 2023 as a municipal heritage property under the Heritage Property Act.
15.4.3 Case H00565: Request to Include 1745 Henry Street, Halifax in the Registry of Heritage Properties for the Halifax Regional Municipality* [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council set a date for a heritage hearing to consider the inclusion of 1745 Henry Street, Halifax in the Registry of Heritage Property for the Halifax Regional Municipality, as shown on Map 1 in the staff report dated July 27, 2023 as a municipal heritage property under the Heritage Property Act.
15.4.4 Case H00569: Request to Include 6038 Charles Street, Halifax in the Registry of Heritage Properties for the Halifax Regional Municipality* [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council set a date for a heritage hearing to consider the inclusion of 6038 Charles Street, Halifax in the Registry of Heritage Property for the Halifax Regional Municipality, as shown on Map 1 of the staff report dated July 27, 2023 as a municipal heritage property under the Heritage Property Act.
15.4.5 First Reading Case H00513 and By-law H-900 - Downtown Halifax Heritage Conservation District Plan, By-law, and Amendments to Secondary Municipal Planning Strategies and Land Use By-laws* [Large 34 Mb PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:
1. Give First Reading and schedule a public hearing to consider the adoption of:
(a) the Downtown Halifax Heritage Conservation District Plan, including repealing the Barrington Street Heritage Conservation District Revitalization Plan and the Old South Suburb Heritage Conservation District Plan as set out in Attachment A of the revised staff report dated June 5, 2023; and
(b) the Downtown Halifax Heritage Conservation District By-law (H-900), including repealing the Barrington Street Heritage Conservation District By-law (H-500) and the Old South Suburb Heritage Conservation District By-law (H-800), as set out in Attachments B of the revised staff report dated June 5, 2023.
2. Give First Reading and schedule a public hearing to consider the adoption of:
(a) the amendments to the Regional Centre Secondary Municipal Planning Strategy and the amendments to the Regional Centre Land Use By-law, as contained in Attachments C and D of the revised staff report dated June 5, 2023; and
(b) the amendments to the Downtown Halifax Secondary Municipal Planning Strategy and the amendments to the Downtown Halifax Land Use By-law, as contained in Attachments E and F of the revised staff report dated June 5, 2023.
3. Direct staff to review the FAR provisions applied to the Black Binney property to consider additional development potential (i.e. height) on the property.
15.5 MEMBERS OF COUNCIL
15.5.1 Councillor Lovelace - Emergency preparedness for CSAP and HRCE schools in HRM [PDF]
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.
15.5.2 Councillor Lovelace - Transfer of provincial PIDs within HRM’s municipal road boundary [PDF]
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.
15.5.3 Councillor Lovelace - Re-joining Canadian Capital Cities Organization (CCCO) and hosting Fall Conference 2024 [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to provide a staff report regarding HRM’s lapsed membership with the Canadian Capital Cities Organization (CCCO), options to rejoin and host the CCCO Annual Conference in Halifax early October 2024.
15.5.4 Councillor Outhit - Options for Buyout Programs in Response to Extreme Weather Events [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:
1. Direct the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to provide a staff report on managed retreat as a climate adaptation approach to manage risks and impacts associated with extreme weather events in the municipality.
2. Direct the Mayor to write a letter to the Premier of Nova Scotia requesting the provincial government work with the municipality to create a provincial buyout program specific to the Union Street properties in Bedford impacted by extreme flooding in July 2023, similar to what was done in 2016 in Sydney, Cape Breton.
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 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 July 24, 2023; and
2. Direct that the private and confidential report dated July 24, 2023 be maintained private and confidential.
17.2 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 August 29, 2023; and
2. Direct that the private and confidential report dated August 29, 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 September 12, 2023; and
2. Direct that the private and confidential report dated September 12, 2023 be maintained private and confidential.
17.4 CONTRACTUAL MATTER - 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 August 16, 2023; and
2. Direct that the private and confidential report dated August 16, 2023 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 August 31, 2023; and
2. Direct that the private and confidential report dated August 31, 2023 be maintained private and confidential.
18. ADDED ITEMS
Additions:
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:
17.6 LEGAL ADVICE - Private and Confidential Report
A matter pertaining to legal advice eligible for solicitor-client privilege.
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:
1. Adopt the recommendations as outlined in the private and confidential report dated September 11, 2023; and
2. Direct that the private and confidential report dated September 11, 2023 be maintained private and confidential.
19. NOTICES OF MOTION
20. ADJOURNMENT
________________________________________
INFORMATION ITEMS
September 12, 2023
1. Proclamation – Living Organ Donation Week – September 10-16, 2023 [PDF]
2. Proclamation – Rail Safety Week – September 18-24, 2023 [PDF]
6. Proclamation – Terry Fox Run Day – September 17, 2023 [PDF]