Date:
Time: 1:00 p.m., Reconvene 6:00 p.m. If Required
Location: Council Chamber, 3rd Floor City Hall, 1841 Argyle Street, Halifax
Minutes: November 14, 2023 Halifax Regional Council Minutes (PDF)
Agenda
1. CALL TO ORDER AND LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
2. SPECIAL COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – Special Emergency Regional Council September 16 and Regional Council October 17, 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: 15.2.1; 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 – NONE
11. NOTICES OF TABLED MATTERS – NONE
12. HERITAGE HEARINGS – 1:00 P.M.
12.1 Case H00563: Request to Include 6484 - 6484 1/2 Jubilee Road, Halifax in the Registry of Heritage Property for the Halifax Regional Municipality
- Report [PDF]
- Staff Presentation [PDF]
- Property Owner Presentation [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council approve the request to include 6484 - 6484 1/2 Jubilee Road, Halifax in the Registry of Heritage Property for the Halifax Regional Municipality, as shown on Map 1 in the staff report dated July 20, 2023 as a municipal heritage property under the Heritage Property Act.
12.2 Case H00564: Request to Include 1741-1743 Henry Street, Halifax in the Registry of Heritage Properties for the Halifax Regional Municipality
- Report [PDF]
- Staff Presentation [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council approve the request to include 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.
12.3 Case H00565: Request to Include 1745 Henry Street, Halifax in the Registry of Heritage Properties for the Halifax Regional Municipality
- Report [PDF]
- Staff Presentation [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council approve the request to include 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.
12.4 Case H00569: Request to Include 6038 Charles Street, Halifax in the Registry of Heritage Properties for the Halifax Regional Municipality
- Report [PDF]
- Staff Presentation [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council approve the request to include 6038 Charles 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.
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 Formation of Committee of Council on Defunding the Police [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:
1. Direct the Chief Administrative Officer to review areas of alignment and associated recommendations and actions between the Wortley Report, Defund Report, Public Safety Strategy and Mass Casualty Commission Final Report.
2. Direct the Chief Administrative Officer or delegate(s) to meet with provincial representatives, including from the Department of Justice and the Department of Community Services, and community stakeholders to receive input on implementation options for recommendations;
3. Direct the Chief Administrative Officer to report back to Halifax Regional Council and the Board of Police Commissioners within 6 months.
15.1.2 PLPROJ-2023-01544 - Initiation for Municipal Planning Strategy amendments to restrict water lot infilling on the Northwest Arm [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer to:
1. Initiate a process to consider 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 to restrict water lot infilling on the Northwest Arm; and
2. Follow Administrative Order 2023-002-ADM, the Public Participation Administrative Order.
15.1.3 Proposed Amendments to Administrative Orders 2020-007-ADM, Respecting Incentive or Bonus Zoning Public Benefits and 2020-008-ADM, Respecting Grants for Affordable Housing - Relating to Incentive or Bonus Zoning Public Benefits and the Affordable Housing Grant Program [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:
1. Adopt amendments to Administrative Order Number 2020-007-ADM, Incentive or Bonus Zoning Public Benefits Administrative Order, as set out in Attachment C of the staff report dated October 23, 2023;
2. Adopt amendments to Administrative Order Number 2020-008-ADM, Grants for Affordable Housing Administrative Order, as set out in Attachment D of staff report dated October 23, 2023;
3. Request that the Mayor send a letter to the Province of Nova Scotia requesting amendments to the NS Public Utilities Act to waive Regional Development Charges for affordable housing developments;
4. Direct the Chief Administrative Officer to conduct a review of Administrative Order Number 2020-008-ADM, Grants for Affordable Housing Administrative Order and the HRM Affordable Housing Grant Program in advance of the 2024/25 Affordable Housing Grant Program grant year;
5. Direct the Chief Administrative Officer to allocate $200,000.00 from the Housing Accelerator Fund to fund affordable housing projects in the Suburban Area outside the Regional Centre but within the Urban Service Boundary; and
6. Delegate to the Chief Administrative Officer, or their delegate, the authority to administer grants to affordable housing projects outside the Regional Centre from the funds allocated in recommendation #5, using the Administrative Order 2020-008-ADM, Respecting Grants for Affordable Housing as the basis for the grants, including:
(a) the eligibility considerations, and eligible and ineligible costs;
(b) the general requirements;
(c) the required and discretionary information for applications;
(d) the additional content for applications;
(e) project evaluations and application review; and
(f) conditions of payment and approval of grants; such as the authority to approve grants, determine the amount of such grants, and approve and execute contribution agreements for such grants.
15.2 EXECUTIVE STANDING COMMITTEE
15.2.1 2022 District Boundary Review Phase One: Electoral Reforms Requiring Legislative Amendments* [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council direct the Mayor and Chief Administrative Officer to request the Province of Nova Scotia revisit allowing Permanent Residents to be allowed to vote, and to give the municipality legislative permission to consider a Mi’kmaw council seat, subject to consultation and agreement with Mi’kmaw representatives.
15.3 TRANSPORTATION STANDING COMMITTEE
15.3.1 School Safe Streets Pilot Program* [Large 11 Mb PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer to formalize the process for a Safe School Streets Pilot Program within HRM based on the principles outlined in the staff report dated September 11, 2023.
15.4 MEMBERS OF COUNCIL
15.4.1 Councillor Morse - Staff report on plan to protect Eastern Hemlock in HRM [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to provide a staff report on a Management Plan for Hemlock Woolly Adelgid in HRM. Woolly Adelgid is an emerging insect pest that can be fatal to hemlock. The Management Plan should include best practices for treatment, with a special focus on older hemlocks in HRM, and include funding sources to develop and implement the plan.
15.4.2 Councillor Morse - Request for letter to Premier and Nova Scotia Minister of Environment and Climate Change regarding Coastal Protection Act [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council direct the Mayor write a letter to the Premier of Nova Scotia and Minister of Environment and Climate Change requesting an update on the regulations for the Coastal Protection Act and urging action on the regulations and proclamation of the Act.
16. MOTIONS
16.1 Councillor Hendsbee
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer to provide a staff report exploring the possible transfer of responsibilities for the Sheet Harbour Streetscaping Program area rate from the Sheet Harbour and Area Development Corporation to the Sheet Harbour and Area Chamber of Commerce.
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 – October 17, 2023
Motion:
That the In Camera (In Private) minutes of October 17, 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 6, 2023; and
2. Direct that the private and confidential report dated November 26, 2023 be maintained private and confidential.
Private and Confidential Information Items
1. Private and Confidential In Camera (In Private) Information Report - re: Legal Matter
17.3 LEGAL ADVICE – Private and Confidential Report
A matter pertaining to legal advice eligible for solicitor-client privilege.
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council convene to in camera to discuss the matter.
18. ADDED ITEMS
19. NOTICES OF MOTION
20. ADJOURNMENT
________________________________________
INFORMATION ITEMS
November 14, 2023
1. Proclamation – International Epidermolysis Bullosa Awareness Week – October 25-31, 2023 [PDF]
2. Proclamation – Building Futures Day – November 16, 2023 [PDF]
3. Proclamation – Economic Abuse Awareness Day – November 26, 2023 [PDF]
4. Proclamation – Indigenous Disability Awareness Month – November 2023 [PDF]
9. Proclamation – National Nurse Practitioner Week – November 12-18, 2023 [PDF]