Minutes of Committee of the Whole - City Council

Council Chambers, 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 Dave Lane
  • Councillor Sandy Hickman
  • Councillor Debbie Hanlon
  • Councillor Deanne Stapleton
  • Councillor Hope Jamieson
  • Councillor Jamie Korab
  • Councillor Ian Froude
  • Councillor Wally Collins
Staff:
  • Kevin Breen, City Manager
  • Derek Coffey, Deputy City Manager of Finance & Administration
  • Jason Sinyard, Deputy City Manager of Planning, Engineering & Regulatory Services
  • Cheryl Mullett, City Solicitor
  • Elaine Henley, City Clerk
  • Ken O'Brien, Chief Municipal Planner
  • Maureen Harvey, Legislative Assistant
Others
  • Elizabeth Lawrence, Director of Culture, Tourism and Partnerships

    Thea Morash, Arts & Culture Development Coordinator

    Trina Caines, Policy Analyst

    Garrett Donaher, Manager Transportation

    Natalie Godden, Manager - Family/Leisure Services

     


  • Recommendation
    Moved ByCouncillor Lane
    Seconded ByCouncillor Jamieson

    That the agenda be adopted as presented.


    MOTION CARRIED (11 to 0)
  • Recommendation
    Moved ByCouncillor Hanlon
    Seconded ByCouncillor Froude

    That the minutes of the Committee of the Whole held on June 10, 2020 be adopted as presented.


    MOTION CARRIED (11 to 0)
  • Recommendation
    Moved ByCouncillor Lane
    Seconded ByCouncillor Hanlon

    That Council approve the Materials Management Policy as tabled.


    MOTION CARRIED (11 to 0)

Several capital projects were brought forward for deferral and are listed below: 

CAPITAL OUT OF REVENUE EXPENDITURE 2020 Budget Defer
Grind and Patch      1,970,000  
Snow removal/dump         886,431  
Capital grants Community Groups         800,000  
Various City Buildings         500,000  
Sidewalk/Curb/Gutter Repair         650,000  
IT Project Capital Budget         250,000       250,000
Affordable Housing Strategy         133,500  
Kenmount Fire Station Upgrade (City Share)         187,500  
SJRFD Radio System            22,500  
Sanders - Fleet Replacement         550,000  
Municipal Residential Tree Planting Initiative           25,000         25,000
Large Diameter Culvert Replacement         180,000  
Annual Traffic Calming Program           50,000         50,000
Bike St. John's Master Plan  - Project         377,923       377,923
Annual Infill Sidewalk Program         (50,000)  
Loader Purchase         600,000  
St. John's Airport - Flight Attraction Contribution         200,000  
Fort Amherst (City Share)         100,000  
Wetlands Study Phase 2         350,000       350,000
Rawlin's Cross Reconfiguration (subject to approval)         150,000       150,000
City Hall Energy Efficiency Assessment (Sustainability Plan)         100,000       100,000
Cameras on Sanders         200,000       200,000
Pavement Marking Digitization         100,000       100,000
Downtown Decorative Lighting         291,938       291,938
Asphalt Lab Relocation         175,000  
George Street Revitalization Project - Study Only           50,000         50,000
Pedestrian & Bike Counters           50,000         50,000
Bike Racks           10,000  
Sidewalk snowblowers (2)         620,000  
Sidewalk plows (4)         800,000  
Land Acquisition         300,000  
TOTAL CAPITAL OUT OF REVENUE EXPENDITURE  $10,629,792  $1,994,861

 

Discussion took place with a number of Councillors expressing displeasure with potential deferral of the following projects:  Wetlands Study - Phase 2, Municipal Tree Planting Initiative, Bike Master Plan, Pedestrian and Bike Counters and Traffic Calming.  While it was argued these projects are necessary to support the City's efforts to undertake environmental initiatives, others opined that Council must balance that interest against the financial crisis the City is facing during this pandemic.

Staff commented that funds for the Bike Master Plan represent 17% of the cost of the project and is based on the City receiving federal funding, which is not likely to be forthcoming at this time, as all levels of government are facing tough financial decisions, given the downturn in the economy arising from the COVID-19 pandemic.

A number of motions were put forward:

 

  • Recommendation
    Moved ByCouncillor Lane
    Seconded ByDeputy Mayor O'Leary

    That Council remove traffic calming from the proposed list of Deferred Projects as it is a separate item for discussion under Transportation and Regulatory Services.


    MOTION CARRIED (7 to 4)
  • Recommendation
    Moved ByCouncillor Burton
    Seconded ByCouncillor Froude

    That the Pedestrian and Bike Counters be removed from the list of deferred Capital Items for 2020.  


    MOTION LOST (5 to 6)
  • Recommendation
    Moved ByCouncillor Froude
    Seconded ByDeputy Mayor O'Leary

    That Council await information on Open Space Parks Reserve available funding before deciding on deferral of the Bike Master Plan capital project. 


    MOTION CARRIED (6 to 5)
  • Recommendation
    Moved ByCouncillor Lane
    Seconded ByCouncillor Hickman

    That Council approve the deferred capital list excluding Bike Master Plan (pending consideration of information on the Open Space Capital Reserve) and Traffic Calming (which is to be discussed separately).


    MOTION CARRIED (9 to 2)

As a support measure to aid residents and businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of St. John's previously announced that it would not charge interest on residential and commercial property taxes and water tax for a period up to and including August 31, 2020. In light of the continued economic impact that COVID-19 continues to have on its residents and businesses, it is being recommended Council extend the interest fee period up to and including December 31, 2020. It is the goal that by allowing businesses and residents more time to pay their taxes without incurring interest penalties, it will provide them with more flexibility in managing cash flow during this period of economic uncertainty.

  • Recommendation
    Moved ByCouncillor Lane
    Seconded ByCouncillor Hanlon

    That Council approve the extension of the interest free period on residential and commercial property taxes and water tax up to and including December 31, 2020


    MOTION CARRIED (11 to 0)

The Committee welcomed the proposed changes to the Inclusion Advisory Committee Terms of Reference.  However, given that some members were not aware of the ongoing efforts to support anti-racism by the Committee, it was suggested there is an internal disconnect between the Committee and Council.

It was explained that while the minutes of each advisory committee are available online, Council ought to be provided with updates on the activities of each committee, as only actionable items come forward in the advisory committee report which is brought forward to Council. The City Clerk agreed to ensure that Council is provided with quarterly reports of the ongoing work for advisory committees, expert panels and working groups.

 

  • Recommendation
    Moved ByCouncillor Stapleton
    Seconded ByDeputy Mayor O'Leary

    That Council approve the following changes to the IAC Terms of Reference:
    Under Section 3.1 Composition
    Change the committee composition to read:

    The Advisory Committee will be comprised of a minimum of 11 and a maximum of 18 total members from the following stakeholder groups:

    The Committee will be comprised of no more than 10 staff persons/board members representing agencies relevant to persons with disabilities and persons facing other barriers as follows:
    1.Coalition of Persons with Disabilities NL (CODNL)
    2.Empower
    3.Association for Community Living
    4.NL Association for the Deaf (NLAD)
    5.GoBus (Metrobus)
    6.CNIB
    7.Autism Society NL
    8.Canadian hard of Hearing Association - NL
    9.Association for New Canadians
    10.First Light NL

    Representatives of seven (7) organizations or individuals that support persons facing other barriers to participation in the community. Efforts will be made to include the following sectors:
    1.Mental Health
    2.Poverty
    3.Universal Design/Accessibility
    4.LGBTQ2S
    5.Physical and Neurological Disabilities
    6.Anti-Racism
    7.Women

    The Committee will be comprised of no more than 5 residents serving as public members who are members of the inclusion community, their caregivers and/or persons facing other barriers.

    Under Section 5.2 Eligibility and Selection
    Change point 2 to read:
    Organizational representatives must be based in or serve/do business within the City of St. John’s and have decision making authority with the agency they represent.

    Under section 7.2 Meetings and Schedules
    Change the meeting location to read:
    Unless otherwise specified (generally one week prior to a meeting) advisory committee meetings shall be held at City facilities or via accessible video/virtual meeting platforms and shall be closed to the public

    Section 7.2 Meetings and Schedules:

    Unless otherwise specified advisory committee meetings shall be held at City facilities or via accessible video/virtual meeting platforms.


    MOTION CARRIED (11 to 0)

The City of St. John’s has been approached to partner with several arts organizations, namely Eastern Edge Art Gallery (lead organization), with Riddle Fence, Lawnya Vawnya, and the Craft Council of Newfoundland and Labrador, to carry out a public art (mural) project in St. John’s. The theme of the artwork will be a recognition of frontline/essential workers, specifically a recognition of their important work throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Through this partnership the City is leveraging its annual public art programming, engaging community organizations, creating a hopeful and buoying piece of artwork, and developing an important project that will help in expressing gratitude for and acknowledging essential workers in our community and beyond.

The total contribution from the participating arts organizations will be $9,000 and the financial contribution from the City will not exceed $18,000, for a total maximum investment of $27,000 for which funds have been budgeted.

City staff will assist Eastern Edge as necessary with convening the aforementioned committee and finalizing of the RFP for circulation.

Discussion also took place on what, if any, maintenance can be done on existing murals to which it was noted that in most cases it is less expensive to replace the mural than repair it. The matter, however, is under review. 

  • Recommendation
    Moved ByCouncillor Burton
    Seconded ByCouncillor Hickman

    That contrary to staff's recommendation, Council reject a proposed amendment to add a new Parking (P) Zone for the purpose of a Vehicle Storage Yard at 50 International Place, and that the application be advertised for public review and comment.


    MOTION CARRIED (11 to 0)

Councillor Hickman introduced a comprehensive overview of the City's Traffic Calming Policy.

Considerable discussion took place with the following points from members of the Committee summarized:

  • speeding and road safety are the most frequented complaints received by members of Council
  • additional funding must be provided to accelerate traffic calming measures - $50K is inadequate
  • while engagement is recommended for many municipal issues, speeding and the control thereof, is best left to the technical experts to address through data collection, scoring and ranking.
  • New Provincial legislation addresses the use of speeding, however, regulations governing this legislation has not been finalized.  While a letter has been written to the Province requesting expedition of these regulations, a response has not yet been received.  It was agreed a follow-up letter be sent.
  • an over-arching review of road safety is required through which a revised traffic calming policy can be developed.  i.e. collaboration with all stakeholders on decreasing the speed limit throughout the city, means of enforcement, improved road design for existing and new streets that will enhance road safety etc.  It was agreed that staff initiate such a project and necessary meetings. 
  • matters of traffic calming and road safety ought to left to technical staff to address, without political influence.
  • consideration ought to be given to the reinstatement of the Police and Traffic Committee so Council can be better informed of staff's action as it relates to ongoing road safety and current initiatives/hotspots.

Discussion then moved to whether traffic calming should be removed from the previously approved list of capital projects for 2020 as discussed under item 5.5.2 above.

 

  • Recommendation
    Moved ByCouncillor Froude
    Seconded ByCouncillor Burton

    That Council proceed with the traffic calming provisions as originally provided in the Capital Budget and reject the recommendation of staff to defer.


    MOTION LOST (5 to 6)
  • Recommendation
    Moved ByCouncillor Hickman
    Seconded ByCouncillor Jamieson

    That Council approve the installation of temporary traffic control islands at the crosswalk located at Military Road and the Bannerman Park entrance (adjacent Carew Street).


    MOTION CARRIED (11 to 0)

Deputy Mayor O'Leary acknowledged that today is Municipal Awareness Day and offered congratulations to colleagues and staff across the Province who serve the public at the grass-roots level. 

There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 11:52 am.