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: March 5, 2024 Halifax Regional Council Minutes (PDF)
Agenda
REVISED Mar 1/24
1. CALL TO ORDER AND LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
2. SPECIAL COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – Regional Council February 6, 2024 and Special Regional Council February 13, 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: 13.1.1, 13.1.2, 13.1.3, 15.1.3, 15.1.4, 15.1.5, 15.1.6, 15.1.7, 15.1.8, 15.1.9, 15.2.1.
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 – February 6, 2024
10.1 Lake Banook Master Plan [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer to prepare the Coordination Plan as outlined in the staff report dated July 17, 2023, and return to Regional Council with a staff report.
11. NOTICES OF TABLED MATTERS – NONE
12. PUBLIC HEARING – NONE
13. CORRESPONDENCE, PETITIONS & DELEGATIONS
13.1 Correspondence
13.1.1 Fly-past Request – Battle of the Atlantic Ceremony* [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council grant permission for the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) to fly RCAF assets in formation over Point Pleasant Park as per the enclosed diagram in the letter dated February 6, 2024 (routed from sea and turning inland to fly directly over the memorial) at an altitude of 500 feet above the highest obstacles at 10:58 a.m. on May 5, 2024, as part of the Battle of the Atlantic ceremony.
13.1.2 Fly-past Request – SailGP Competition* [PDF]
Motion:
That the Halifax Regional Municipality grant permission to the Royal Canadian Air Force to fly a Cyclone helicopter over Halifax Harbour, from McNabs Island to Angus L. Macdonald Bridge, on June 1, 2024. Exact time of the Flyby is still to be confirmed by the event organizer. Requesting the Flyby be authorized to fly at a height of 500 feet above the highest obstacle on the Flyby track.
13.1.3 Fly-past Request – HFX Wanderers RCAF Appreciation Game* [PDF]
Motion:
That the Halifax Regional Municipality grant permission to the Royal Canadian Air Force to perform a Flyby over the Wanderer Grounds, corner of Summer and Sackville Streets, on June 8, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. at a height of 500 feet above the highest obstacle.
13.2 Petitions
14. INFORMATION ITEMS BROUGHT FORWARD – NONE
15. REPORTS
15.1 CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
15.1.1 Second Reading Proposed By-Law S-452, an Amendment to By-Law S-400 Respecting Charges for Street Improvements [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council adopt By-Law S-452, amending By-Law S-400, the Street Improvement By-Law, as set out in revised Attachment 1 of the staff report dated August 14, 2023.
This item was deleted from the agenda.
15.1.2 Second Reading Proposed By-law S-453, an Amendment to By-law S-400, Respecting Charges for Street Improvements - Gravel Road Paving Program – Halifax Regional Municipality Roads [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:
1. Direct the Chief Administrative Officer to implement the Halifax Regional Municipality Gravel Road Asset Management and Paving Program as set out in Attachment A of the staff report dated January 10, 2024, with annual funding provided in future capital plans over a period of approximately ten (10) years as outlined in the Financial Implications section of the staff report dated January 10, 2024, and
2. Adopt Amending By-law S-453, amending By-law S-400, the Street Improvements By-law, as set out in Attachment B to the staff report dated January 10, 2024.
15.1.3 PLANAPP 2023-00466: Amendment to the Bedford Municipal Planning Strategy and Land Use By-law for lands at the western end of Shore Drive in Bedford* [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer to:
1. Initiate a process to consider amendments to the Bedford Municipal Planning Strategy and Land Use By-law to enable a private recreation facility at the end of Shore Drive, Bedford; 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 January 29, 2024.
15.1.4 Establishment of Vacant Lot Tax Within Service Boundary* [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council request the Province of Nova Scotia amend the Halifax Regional Municipality Charter to grant Council the authority to impose an additional residential property tax, based on assessed value on empty residential lots that are located within the areas of the Municipality, and following the inclusion criteria designated by Council.
15.1.5 Impacts of Provincial Road Trails Legislation* [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer to:
1. Create a By-law to enable the designation and regulation of road trails on portions of HRM roadways; and
2. Upon creation of the By-law, establish a program, consistent with the approach used by the Province, to designate road trails on portions of HRM roadways.
15.1.6 Encroachment Agreement – decorative walls at 5960 Inglewood Drive, Halifax* [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council not approve the Encroachment License Agreement, attached to the staff report dated January 23, 2024, for the decorative walls encroaching upon the street right of way.
15.1.7 Encroachment Agreement – fence at 8 Lexington Avenue, Dartmouth* [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council not approve the Encroachment License Agreement, attached to the staff report dated January 23, 2024, for the fence encroaching upon the street right of way.
15.1.8 Encroachment Agreement – Brunswick & Sackville Street Plaza (Parks Canada)* [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council approve the Encroachment License Agreement (subject to non-substantive amendments, if any), attached to staff report dated January 23, 2024, for the information signs encroaching upon the street right of way.
15.1.9 Demo Regulations – Building Permits* [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council take no further action with respect to pursuing an amendment to the Nova Scotia Building Code Act regarding demolition regulation at this time.
15.2 AUDIT AND FINANCE STANDING COMMITTEE
15.2.1 2023/2024 Write off of Uncollectible Accounts* [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council approve:
a) The real property tax accounts in the amount of $17,157.54 comprised of $11,415.39 principal and $5,742.15 interest as summarized in Schedule 1 of the staff report dated January 16, 2024 be formally written out of the books of account;
b) The general revenue accounts in the amount of $18,342.94 comprised of $14,581.72 principal and $3,761.22 interest as summarized in Schedule 1 of the staff report dated January 16, 2024 be formally written out of the books of account; and
c) The recreation accounts in the amount of $16,066.08 comprised of $16,066.08 principal and $0.00 interest as summarized in Schedule 1 of the staff report dated January 16, 2024 be formally written out of the books of account.
15.3 COMMUNITY PLANNING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STANDING COMMITTEE
15.3.1 People. Planet. Prosperity: Halifax’s Inclusive Economic Strategy: Years 3-5
-Report [PDF]
-Presentation [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council approve Attachment A of the staff report dated January 25, 2024, as the action plan for years three-to-five (2024-2027) of the five-year People. Planet. Prosperity: Halifax’s Inclusive Economic Strategy 2022-2027.
15.3.2 Centennial Pool Replacement Planning
-Report [PDF]
-Presentation [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer to advance a Training and Competition Aquatic Facility Study as outlined in the staff report dated January 18, 2024 and report back to Regional Council with its findings and recommendations for the development of such a facility.
15.4 MEMBERS OF COUNCIL
15.4.1 Councillor Mancini - Mental Health Supports for First Responders [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to provide a staff recommendation report that outlines options and associated costs for providing access to specialized non-traditional methods of care and support for employees in first responder roles. The report should also outline other approaches and strategies for meaningfully addressing the psychological safety of first responders; HRM employees in Fire and Police including their respective unions, Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) Coordinators, 911 employees and appropriate managers should be consulted on the preparation of this report.
15.4.2 Councillor Blackburn - Leave of Absence Request - Councillor Russell [PDF]
Motion:
Pursuant to the Halifax Regional Municipal Charter sections 14 (4) and 22 (1) I request, that Halifax Regional Council grant Councillor Paul Russell a leave of absence from all meetings, including Regional Council, North West Community Council and Budget Committee, until March 31, 2024 to allow for ongoing recovery from medical treatments.
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 In Camera (In Private) Minutes – January 23 and February 6, 2024
Motion:
That the In Camera (In Private) minutes of January 23 and February 6, 2024 be approved as circulated.
17.2 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 December 15, 2023; and
2. Direct that the private and confidential report dated December 15, 2023, be maintained private and confidential.
17.3 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 February 23, 2024; and
2. Direct that the private and confidential report dated February 23, 2024 be maintained private and confidential.
17.4 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 February 26, 2024; and
2. Direct that the private and confidential report dated February 26, 2024 be maintained private and confidential.
17.5 PROPERTY MATTER - Private and Confidential Report
-Report [PDF]
-Presentation [PDF]
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 February 1, 2024; and
2. Release the private and confidential report dated February 1, 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: Property Matter
18. ADDED ITEMS
Deletions:
15.1.1 Second Reading Proposed By-Law S-452, an Amendment to By-Law S-400 Respecting Charges for Street Improvements
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council adopt By-Law S-452, amending By-Law S-400, the Street Improvement By-Law, as set out in revised Attachment 1 of the staff report dated August 14, 2023.
Additions:
18.1 Homelessness Update [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council receive a staff presentation on the matter.
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 INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS - Private and Confidential
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 convene to in camera to discuss the matter.
19. NOTICES OF MOTION
20. ADJOURNMENT
________________________________________
INFORMATION ITEMS
March 5, 2024
2. Proclamation - Francophonie Month / Mois de la Francophonie – March 2024 / Mars 2024 [PDF]
3. Proclamation - Kidney Month - March 2024 [PDF]
4. Proclamation - Ghanaian Heritage Week - March 6-9, 2024 [PDF]
8. Proclamation – Saint Patrick’s Day Celebration – March 10-17, 2024 [PDF]