Date:
Time: Immediately following Committee of the Whole, Reconvene 6:00 p.m. if Required
Location: Council Chamber, 3rd Floor City Hall, 1841 Argyle Street, Halifax
Minutes: August 20, 2024 Halifax Regional Council Minutes (PDF)
Agenda
1. CALL TO ORDER AND LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
2. SPECIAL COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – August 6, 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: 15.1.2, 15.1.3, 15.1.4, 15.1.5, 15.1.6, 15.1.7, 15.1.8, 15.1.11, 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. PUBLIC HEARING – NONE
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 M-402, an Amendment to By-law M-400, Respecting Marketing Levy [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council adopt By-law M-402, the purpose of which is to amend By-law M-400, the Marketing Levy By-law, as set out in Attachment 1 to the staff report dated June 24, 2024.
15.1.2 Facility Operating Agreement – Lake Echo Community Centre* [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council approve a Facility Operating Agreement (FOA) with the Lake Echo Community Recreation Society for the Lake Echo Community Centre facility at 3168 Highway 7, substantially in the same form as set out in Attachment 1 of the staff report dated May 22, 2024 and authorize the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to execute the FOA.
15.1.3 Sheet Harbour Streetscape Area Rate: Proposed Assignment of Area Rate Agreement* [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:
1. Direct the Chief Administrative Officer to direct staff to release funds in the amount of $114,482 held in Operating Account W944 to the Sheet Harbour and Area Development Corporation Limited subject to reasonable conditions to ensure appropriate and sufficient insurance, the remediation of priority sidewalk deficiencies, and snow and ice removal; and
2. Invite the Sheet Harbour and Area Chamber of Commerce to submit a detailed proposal to HRM with respect to the transfer of the area rate, any expansion in the scope of work to be funded using these funds, the uniform charge and/or catchment area, and engagement with residents of Sheet Harbour subject to the area rate in accordance with Administrative Order 2019-005-ADM.
15.1.4 First Reading Proposed By-law R-500, Respecting the Designation of Road Trails on Municipal Highways* [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council give First Reading to By-law R-500, The Road Trails By-law, as set out in Attachment 1 to the staff report dated July 25, 2024.
15.1.5 First Reading Proposed By-law S-454, an Amendment to By-law S-400, Respecting Charges for Street Improvements* [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council give First Reading to By-Law S-454, amending By-Law S-400, the Street Improvement By-Law, as set out in Attachment 1 of the staff report dated July 2, 2024.
15.1.6 Halifax Convention Centre Annual Report* [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council approve the audited financial statements for the Halifax Convention Centre attached to the staff report dated July 17, 2024.
15.1.7 First Reading Proposed By-law U-119, an Amendment to By-law U-100, Respecting User Charges – Recreation User Fees* [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council give First Reading to amending By-law U-119, amending By-law U-100, the User Charges By-law, as set out in Attachment 4 of the staff report dated July 12, 2024.
15.1.8 Proposed Administrative Order SC-104, Respecting Closure of Parcel CI-B Right-of-Way, Cogswell District, Halifax* [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:
1. Declare Parcel CI-B Cogswell District as shown on Attachment B of the staff report dated July 24, 2024 surplus to municipal requirements pursuant to Administrative Order 50 the Disposal of Surplus Real Property Administrative Order and categorize the Parcel as Extraordinary; and
2. Direct the Chief Administrative Officer to set a date for a public hearing to consider permanently closing Parcel CI-B, a portion of the right-of-way as outlined in Attachment A of the staff report dated July 24, 2024 as a street, with notice to be published in a newspaper at least fourteen days prior to the Council meeting and with notice to be sent to the Minister of Public Works before the hearing.
15.1.9 Recreation Funding Access Application Process
- Report [PDF]
- Presentation [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to direct staff to:
1. Consult with and instruct multi-district facilities (MDFs) on the adoption of discounted user charges in accordance with the Recreation Access Program as part of their 2025/26 budget planning process;
2. Obtain estimates from MDFs showing the budget impacts of adoption of discounted user charges under the Recreation Access Program as part of the 2025/26 budget planning process; and
3. Negotiate arrangements with the MDFs to charge and collect discounted user charges in accordance with the Recreation Access Funding Program in the 2025/26 fiscal year, as permitted under and in accordance with HRM’s agreements with the MDFs, subject to Council direction during the 2025/26 budget process.
15.1.10 Proposed Amendments to Administrative Order 2020-008-ADM, Respecting Grants for Affordable Housing [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council adopt amendments to Administrative Order Number 2020-008-ADM, the Grants for Affordable Housing Administrative Order, as set out in Attachment B of the staff report dated July 25, 2024.
15.1.11 Collection of Construction Related Fines* [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council direct the Mayor to write a letter to the Minister responsible for Municipal Affairs with a request to:
1. Amend the Building Code Act to allow the Municipality to refuse to issue or renew permits to applicants and related companies for outstanding fines; and
2. Amend the Halifax Regional Municipality Charter to allow the Municipality to refuse to issue or renew planning approvals to applicants and related companies for outstanding fines.
15.1.12 Lake District Recreation Association - Contribution and Service Agreement [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, Respecting the Procedures of the Council Administrative Order;
2. Approve the expenditure(s) described in the Financial Implications section of the staff report dated August 12, 2024; and
3 Authorize the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to approve and sign a Contribution and Service Agreement for 2024-2025 between HRM and Lake District Recreation Association in form and content that (i) is substantially similar to the draft at Attachment 1 to the staff report dated August 12, 2024 or (ii) otherwise meets with the satisfaction of the CAO.
15.2 ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY STANDING COMMITTEE
15.2.1 Municipal Watershed Management Framework*
- Report [PDF]
- Presentation [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:
1. Endorse the draft Framework for Integrated Watershed Management as set out in Attachment A of the staff report dated May 29, 2024;
2. Direct the Chief Administrative Officer to direct staff to implement the steps outlined in the Framework for Integrated Watershed Management in the Dartmouth Lakes watershed and return to Council with a completed watershed management plan for approval; and
3. Direct the Chief Administrative Officer to direct staff to implement the steps outlined in the Framework for Integrated Watershed Management in the Nine Mile River watershed and return to Council with a completed watershed management plan for approval.
15.3 SPECIAL EVENTS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
15.3.1 2024/25 Marketing Levy Special Events Reserve (MLSER) 2nd Intake Report* [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council approve total funding in the amount of $17,500 from the Community and Events Reserve (Q621), as shown in Table 1 of the staff report dated July 12, 2024.
15.4 MEMBERS OF COUNCIL
15.4.1 Councillor Austin - Nature-Based Stormwater Retrofit Program [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to prepare a staff report on a potential Public Works program to retrofit existing stormwater infrastructure to install nature-based solutions such as bioswales, and rain gardens
15.4.2 Councillor Mason – Stabilization Funding for Signature Events [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council request the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) produce a staff report regarding the potential to establish one time stabilization funding for Signature Events that will:
1. Propose a funding envelop for one time funding from Market Levy Special Events Reserve (MLSER);
2. Identify what Signature Events may require stabilization funding;
3. Consider a requirement that applicants produce a sustainability plan in order to continue to access further municipal funding through the normal process;
4. Require a demonstration at some matching funding from other orders of government, and;
5. Report back with recommendations no later than November 2024.
15.4.3 Councillor Lovelace – Extend Water Service Boundary in Hammonds Plains and Upper Hammonds Plains [PDF]
Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council direct the Chief Administrative Offer to write a staff report to include consideration for municipal water service extension along:
1. Pockwock Road. In doing so, staff should coordinate with Halifax Water, and with work related to community action planning with the Upper Hammonds Plains African Nova Scotian community to ensure the undersized watermain is rightsized for the community’s future use; and
2. Citation Drive from Voyageur Way to St George Boulevard to enable a closed loop water system and installation of fire hydrants.
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 – August 6, 2024
Motion:
That the In Camera (In Private) minutes of August 6, 2024 be approved as circulated.
17.2 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 August 9, 2024; and
2. Direct that the private and confidential report dated August 9, 2024 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 August 1, 2024; and
2. Direct that the private and confidential report dated August 1, 2024 be maintained private and confidential.
17.4 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.
Private and Confidential Information Items
1. Private and Confidential In Camera (In Private) Information Report – re: Legal Advice
18. ADDED ITEMS
19. NOTICES OF MOTION
20. ADJOURNMENT
________________________________________
INFORMATION ITEMS
August 20, 2024
1. Proclamation – Highlanders Freedom of the City – August 21, 2024 [PDF]
2. Proclamation – Ukraine Independence Day – August 24, 2024 [PDF]
3. Proclamation – Arthritis Awareness Month – September 2024 [PDF]
6. Memorandum from the Chair of Environment & Sustainability Standing Committee dated August 1, 2024 re: Existing and Planned Measures for Coastal Management
- Staff Report [PDF]
- Attachment 1 [PDF]
- Attachment 2A [Large 40 Mb PDF]
- Attachment 2B [Very large 212 Mb PDF]
- Attachment 3 [Large 22 Mb PDF]