Minutes of Regular Meeting - City Council

Council Chamber, 4th Floor, City Hall

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4th Floor City Hall
Present:
  • Mayor Danny Breen
  • Deputy Mayor Sheilagh O'Leary
  • Councillor Maggie Burton
  • Councillor Ron Ellsworth
  • Councillor Sandy Hickman
  • Councillor Jill Bruce
  • Councillor Greg Noseworthy
  • Councillor Tom Davis
  • Councillor Carl Ridgeley
Regrets:
  • Councillor Debbie Hanlon
  • Councillor Ophelia Ravencroft
Staff:
  • Kevin Breen, City Manager
  • Derek Coffey, Deputy City Manager of Finance & Administration
  • Tanya Haywood, Deputy City Manager of Community Services
  • Jason Sinyard, Deputy City Manager of Planning, Engineering & Regulatory Services
  • Cheryl Mullett, City Solicitor
  • Ken O'Brien, Chief Municipal Planner
  • Theresa Walsh, City Clerk
  • Jackie O'Brien, Manager of Corporate Communications
  • Stacey Corbett, Legislative Assistant

​​Land Acknowledgement

The following statement was read into the record:

“We respectfully acknowledge the Province of Newfoundland & Labrador, of which the City of St. John’s is the capital City, as the ancestral homelands of the Beothuk. Today, these lands are home to a diverse population of indigenous and other peoples. We would also like to acknowledge with respect the diverse histories and cultures of the Mi’kmaq, Innu, Inuit, and Southern Inuit of this Province.”

1.
CALL TO ORDER

 

2.
PROCLAMATIONS/PRESENTATIONS

 

3.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

 

3.1
Adoption of Agenda

 
  • SJMC-R-2025-02-11/40
    Moved ByDeputy Mayor O'Leary
    Seconded ByCouncillor Noseworthy

    That the Agenda be adopted as presented.


    For (9)Mayor Breen, Deputy Mayor O'Leary, Councillor Burton, Councillor Hickman, Councillor Ellsworth, Councillor Bruce, Councillor Ridgeley, Councillor Davis, and Councillor Noseworthy


    MOTION CARRIED (9 to 0)

4.
ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES

 

4.1
Adoption of Minutes - January 28, 2025

This item has attachments. 
1.Post-Meeting Minutes - RCM_Jan28_2025 - English.pdf
  • SJMC-R-2025-02-11/41
    Moved ByCouncillor Davis
    Seconded ByCouncillor Bruce

    That the minutes of January 28, 2025, be adopted as presented.


    For (9)Mayor Breen, Deputy Mayor O'Leary, Councillor Burton, Councillor Hickman, Councillor Ellsworth, Councillor Bruce, Councillor Ridgeley, Councillor Davis, and Councillor Noseworthy


    MOTION CARRIED (9 to 0)

5.
BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES

 

6.
DEVELOPMENT APPLICATIONS

 

6.1
Notices Published – 39 Topsail Road - DEV2400064

This item has attachments. 
1.Notices Published - 39 Topsail Road.pdf
2.39 TOPSAIL ROAD_1.pdf
3.LEASIDE MANOR Final Report RSV 24-12-18 - PUBLIC.pdf
4.Built Heritage Experts Panel Report - February 5, 2025 - English.pdf
5.Combined Submissions_redacted.pdf
  • SJMC-R-2025-02-11/42
    Moved ByCouncillor Ridgeley
    Seconded ByCouncillor Davis

    That Council adopt the attached Heritage Report for 39 Topsail Road dated December 18, 2024, subject to the following conditions:
    1. The clapboard colour and quality remain consistent with the existing Heritage Building and in the Cape Cod timber style as indicated in the Heritage Report.
    2. That the size and style of windows and mullions are consistent with what has been proposed on page 20 of the Heritage Report.

    Further, that Council approve the discretionary use application for a Heritage Use at 39 Topsail Road to allow 18 Dwelling Units, set the parking requirement for the Heritage Use at 40 parking spaces and set the zone standards as follows: building line at 14.3m, side yard 1.6m and rear yard 17.9m.


    For (9)Mayor Breen, Deputy Mayor O'Leary, Councillor Burton, Councillor Hickman, Councillor Ellsworth, Councillor Bruce, Councillor Ridgeley, Councillor Davis, and Councillor Noseworthy


    MOTION CARRIED (9 to 0)

7.
RATIFICATION OF EPOLLS

 

7.1
Seatrade Global Conference 2025

This item has attachments. 
1.Seatrade Cruide Global Conference 2025.pdf

Councillor Bruce advised that she would monitor the situation between the United States and Canada before deciding whether or not to attend the conference.

  • SJMC-R-2025-02-11/43
    Moved ByCouncillor Hickman
    Seconded ByCouncillor Ridgeley

    That Council approve the travel cost associated for Councillor Bruce to attend the Seatrade Global Conference in Miami Florida from April 6-10, 2024


    For (9)Mayor Breen, Deputy Mayor O'Leary, Councillor Burton, Councillor Hickman, Councillor Ellsworth, Councillor Bruce, Councillor Ridgeley, Councillor Davis, and Councillor Noseworthy


    MOTION CARRIED (9 to 0)

8.
COMMITTEE REPORTS

 

8.1
Committee of the Whole Report - February 4, 2025

This item has attachments. 
1.Committee of the Whole Report - February 4, 2025.pdf

1.
Recreation Master Plan

This item has attachments. 
1.DN_Recreation Master Plan_02_03_2025.pdf
2.2025-01-24 St John's RMP-SM.pdf
3.St Johns Council Presentation (Feb 4).pdf
  • SJMC-R-2025-02-11/44
    Moved ByCouncillor Bruce
    Seconded ByDeputy Mayor O'Leary

    That Council approve the adoption of the new Recreation Master Plan to ensure the continued provision of high-quality recreation services that meet the needs of all residents and contribute to the overall well-being of the community.


    For (9)Mayor Breen, Deputy Mayor O'Leary, Councillor Burton, Councillor Hickman, Councillor Ellsworth, Councillor Bruce, Councillor Ridgeley, Councillor Davis, and Councillor Noseworthy


    MOTION CARRIED (9 to 0)

2.
Built Heritage Experts Panel – Call for Members

This item has attachments. 
1.Built Heritage Experts Panel - Membership 2025.pdf

Councillor Burton declared a conflict of interest due to a family member being recommended for appointment to the panel.

  • SJMC-R-2025-02-11/45
    Moved ByCouncillor Ellsworth
    Seconded ByDeputy Mayor O'Leary

    That Council approve of the appointment of the following to the Built Heritage Experts Panel:
    - Anika Bursey - Planner
    - Matt C Reynolds - Architect
    - Aaron Terry – Other with Demonstrated Relative Experience


    For (8)Mayor Breen, Deputy Mayor O'Leary, Councillor Hickman, Councillor Ellsworth, Councillor Bruce, Councillor Ridgeley, Councillor Davis, and Councillor Noseworthy
    Abstain (1)Councillor Burton


    MOTION CARRIED (8 to 0)

9.
DEVELOPMENT PERMITS LIST (FOR INFORMATION ONLY) 

 

10.
BUILDING PERMITS LIST (FOR INFORMATION ONLY)

 

11.
REQUISITIONS, PAYROLLS AND ACCOUNTS

 

11.1
Weekly Payment Vouchers for Weeks Ending January 29 and February 5, 2025

This item has attachments. 
1.Council List Weeks Ending January 28 and February 5, 2025.pdf
  • SJMC-R-2025-02-11/46
    Moved ByCouncillor Ellsworth
    Seconded ByCouncillor Bruce

    That the weekly payment vouchers for the weeks ending January 29 and February 5, in the amount of of $11,665,691.82 be approved as presented.


    For (9)Mayor Breen, Deputy Mayor O'Leary, Councillor Burton, Councillor Hickman, Councillor Ellsworth, Councillor Bruce, Councillor Ridgeley, Councillor Davis, and Councillor Noseworthy


    MOTION CARRIED (9 to 0)

12.
TENDERS/RFPS

 

12.1
Contract Awards – January 8, 2025 – February 5, 2025

This item has attachments. 
1.Contract Awards-January 8, 2025 - February 5, 2025.pdf
2.Contracts Awarded - January 8, 2025 - February 5, 2025.pdf

Councillor Davis asked staff to comment on the emergency repair at Bannerman Park Loop, as he was unaware of any issues. It was explained that the chilling unit responsible for maintaining the ice temperature needed to be replaced.

Councillor Davis also raised concerns about the upcoming tariffs and their potential impact on the City's purchases. Staff clarified that no issues have been reported with current contracts or vendors, but acknowledges that tariffs could lead to potential challenges, each of which would have to be evaluated.

13.
NOTICES OF MOTION, RESOLUTIONS QUESTIONS AND PETITIONS

 

14.
NEW BUSINESS

 

14.1
Travel Authorization – 2025 Canada Games Torch Lighting in Ottawa

This item has attachments. 
1.DN - Travel Authorization - 2025 Canada Games Torch Lighting in Ottawa.pdf
  • SJMC-R-2025-02-11/47
    Moved ByCouncillor Burton
    Seconded ByDeputy Mayor O'Leary

    That Council approve the travel costs to allow Mayor Danny Breen and Councillor Sandy Hickman to travel to Ottawa for the 2025 Canada Games Torch Lighting in June 2025.


    For (9)Mayor Breen, Deputy Mayor O'Leary, Councillor Burton, Councillor Hickman, Councillor Ellsworth, Councillor Bruce, Councillor Ridgeley, Councillor Davis, and Councillor Noseworthy


    MOTION CARRIED (9 to 0)

14.2
Building Safer Communities Grant Program Funding Recommendations

This item has attachments. 
1.Building Safer Communities Grant Program Funding Recommendations.pdf
  • SJMC-R-2025-02-11/48
    Moved ByCouncillor Ellsworth
    Seconded ByDeputy Mayor O'Leary

    That Council approve the following recommendations for funding under the Building Safer Communities Grant Program:

    Association for New Canadians - $23,223.25

    Canadian Mental Health Association NL Division Corporation - $50,000

    Key Assets Newfoundland and Labrador Incorporated - $150,000

    Thrive CYN St. John’s Inc. - $150,000

    YMCA of Northeast Avalon Inc. - $90,000

    YWCA St. John’s Inc. - $69,800


    For (9)Mayor Breen, Deputy Mayor O'Leary, Councillor Burton, Councillor Hickman, Councillor Ellsworth, Councillor Bruce, Councillor Ridgeley, Councillor Davis, and Councillor Noseworthy


    MOTION CARRIED (9 to 0)

14.3
Built Heritage Experts Panel – Appointment of Chair

This item has attachments. 
1.Built Heritage Experts Panel - Appointment of Chair.pdf
  • SJMC-R-2025-02-11/49
    Moved ByCouncillor Burton
    Seconded ByCouncillor Hickman

    That Council appoint Megan Webb as the Chair of the Built Heritage Experts Panel.


    For (9)Mayor Breen, Deputy Mayor O'Leary, Councillor Burton, Councillor Hickman, Councillor Ellsworth, Councillor Bruce, Councillor Ridgeley, Councillor Davis, and Councillor Noseworthy


    MOTION CARRIED (9 to 0)

15.
OTHER BUSINESS

 

16.
ACTION ITEMS RAISED BY COUNCIL

 

The Deputy Mayor advised that she has been receiving complaints regarding St. Michael's Convent, which has been vacant for some time. She asked staff to provide an update on the structure and if there are any future plans for the space.

Councillor Ridgely asked that staff reach out to the Province and request better signage heading west on the CN Viaduct.

17.
ADJOURNMENT

 

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 3:52 p.m.

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