Minutes of Regular Meeting - City Council

Council Chamber, 4th Floor, City Hall

Monday, April 19, 2021 at 3:00 P.m. - 4:30 P.m.

4th Floor City Hall

Present:

• Mayor Danny Breen
• Deputy Mayor Sheilagh O'Leary
• Councillor Sandy Hickman
• Councillor Debbie Hanlon
• Councillor Deanne Stapleton
• Councillor Jamie Korab
• Councillor Ian Froude
• Councillor Wally Collins
• Councillor Shawn Skinner

Regrets:

• Councillor Maggie Burton

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
• Elaine Henley, City Clerk
• Ken O'Brien, Chief Municipal Planner
• Maureen Harvey, Legislative Assistant
• Susan Bonnell, Manager - Communications & Office Services

Others:

•  

   

​​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.”

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1.

CALL TO ORDER

2.

PROCLAMATIONS/PRESENTATIONS

2.1

National Poetry Month - Anna Swanson

In recognition of National Poetry Month, Anna Swanson participated in the meeting by reading a poem.

2.2

Volunteer Week Proclamation and Awards

Mayor Breen ready the proclamation into the record and presented the youth and adult award for Building Healthy Communities Volunteer to the following recipients:

a. Hanna Murphy - Youth

b. Charlie Murphy - Adult

2.3

Child Abuse Prevention Month

Mayor Breen welcomed Bev Moore-Davis read the attached proclamation into the record - Miles for Smiles Foundation.

3.

APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

3.1

Adoption of Agenda

• SJMC-R-2021-04-19/167
  Moved By Councillor Collins
  Seconded By Councillor Froude

  That the Agenda be adopted as presented.

  
  

  For (9)

  Mayor Breen, Deputy Mayor O'Leary, Councillor Hickman, Councillor Hanlon, Councillor Stapleton, Councillor Korab, Councillor Froude, Councillor Collins, and Councillor Skinner

  
  
  
  MOTION CARRIED (9 to 0)

4.

ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES

4.1

Adoption of Minutes - April 12, 2021

• SJMC-R-2021-04-19/168
  Moved By Councillor Skinner
  Seconded By Deputy Mayor O'Leary

  That the minutes be adopted as presented.

  
  

  For (9)

  Mayor Breen, Deputy Mayor O'Leary, Councillor Hickman, Councillor Hanlon, Councillor Stapleton, Councillor Korab, Councillor Froude, Councillor Collins, and Councillor Skinner

  
  
  
  MOTION CARRIED (9 to 0)

5.

BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES

6.

DEVELOPMENT APPLICATIONS

6.1

Request for Rear Yard Variance – 6 Spruce Grove Avenue – INT2100027

• SJMC-R-2021-04-19/169
  Moved By Councillor Collins
  Seconded By Councillor Hickman

  That Council approve the 7.6% Variance to allow a 5.54 metre Rear Yard setback at 6 Spruce Grove Avenue, to accommodate the rear extension of a Single Detached Dwelling.

  
  

  For (9)

  Mayor Breen, Deputy Mayor O'Leary, Councillor Hickman, Councillor Hanlon, Councillor Stapleton, Councillor Korab, Councillor Froude, Councillor Collins, and Councillor Skinner

  
  
  
  MOTION CARRIED (9 to 0)

6.2

Outdoor Eating Area and Lounge – 115 Duckworth Street – DEV2100034

• SJMC-R-2021-04-19/170
  Moved By Councillor Skinner
  Seconded By Deputy Mayor O'Leary

  That Council approve the application for an Outdoor Eating Area and Lounge at 115 Duckworth Street, subject to all applicable requirements. The use of outdoor speakers will not be permitted. It is also recommended that Council approve the temporary parking relief for 6 parking spaces to accommodate the Outdoor Eating Area and Lounge.

  
  

  For (9)

  Mayor Breen, Deputy Mayor O'Leary, Councillor Hickman, Councillor Hanlon, Councillor Stapleton, Councillor Korab, Councillor Froude, Councillor Collins, and Councillor Skinner

  
  
  
  MOTION CARRIED (9 to 0)

6.3

Discretionary Use – 19 King’s Bridge Road – DEV2100027

• SJMC-R-2021-04-19/171
  Moved By Councillor Skinner
  Seconded By Councillor Hanlon

  That Council approve the application for Office Use at 19 King’s Bridge Road, subject to all applicable requirements.

  
  

  For (9)

  Mayor Breen, Deputy Mayor O'Leary, Councillor Hickman, Councillor Hanlon, Councillor Stapleton, Councillor Korab, Councillor Froude, Councillor Collins, and Councillor Skinner

  
  
  
  MOTION CARRIED (9 to 0)

7.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

7.1

Committee of the Whole Report - April 7, 2021

1.

Interest Free Payment Plan

• SJMC-R-2021-04-19/172
  Moved By Councillor Skinner
  Seconded By Deputy Mayor O'Leary

  That Council approve the creation of a monthly interest free payment program for residential taxpayers whose accounts are current and are set up for a preauthorized payment option only. This option would become effective April 1, 2021.

  
  

  For (9)

  Mayor Breen, Deputy Mayor O'Leary, Councillor Hickman, Councillor Hanlon, Councillor Stapleton, Councillor Korab, Councillor Froude, Councillor Collins, and Councillor Skinner

  
  
  
  MOTION CARRIED (9 to 0)

2.

Affordable Housing Catalyst Grant Allocations 2021

• SJMC-R-2021-04-19/173
  Moved By Deputy Mayor O'Leary
  Seconded By Councillor Skinner

  That Council approve the recommended 2021 Housing Catalyst Grant allocations and retain the unawarded amount to the 2022 grant cycle.

  
  

  For (9)

  Mayor Breen, Deputy Mayor O'Leary, Councillor Hickman, Councillor Hanlon, Councillor Stapleton, Councillor Korab, Councillor Froude, Councillor Collins, and Councillor Skinner

  
  
  
  MOTION CARRIED (9 to 0)

3.

130 Aberdeen Avenue, MPA1900006

• SJMC-R-2021-04-19/174
  Moved By Councillor Stapleton
  Seconded By Councillor Hickman

  That Council:
  1) consider rezoning the property at 130 Aberdeen Avenue from the Commercial Regional (CR) Zone to the Apartment Medium Density (A2) and Residential High Density (R3) Zones to allow a residential development containing single detached dwellings, semi-detached dwellings, townhouses and apartment buildings; and following staff review, advertise the application for public review and comment;
  
  2) direct staff to work with the St. John’s International Airport Authority and the Province to determine the best approach to update the airport noise (NEF) maps and policies and bring back recommendations to Council; and
  
  3) defer any future rezoning applications for new residential development within the 30 NEF line until Council makes a decision on new NEF maps and policies.

  
  

  For (7)	Mayor Breen, Councillor Hickman, Councillor Hanlon, Councillor Stapleton, Councillor Korab, Councillor Collins, and Councillor Skinner
  Against (2)	Deputy Mayor O'Leary, and Councillor Froude

  
  
  
  MOTION CARRIED (7 to 2)

4.

Re-Imagine Churchill Square Concept Plan

• SJMC-R-2021-04-19/175
  Moved By Councillor Froude
  Seconded By Deputy Mayor O'Leary

  That Council approve the proposed Re-imagine Churchill Square concept plan and it be referred for future capital works consideration to proceed with the detailed design and construction as funding becomes available.

  
  

  For (9)

  Mayor Breen, Deputy Mayor O'Leary, Councillor Hickman, Councillor Hanlon, Councillor Stapleton, Councillor Korab, Councillor Froude, Councillor Collins, and Councillor Skinner

  
  
  
  MOTION CARRIED (9 to 0)

8.

DEVELOPMENT PERMITS LIST (FOR INFORMATION ONLY) 

8.1

Development Permits List April 8 - 14, 2021

9.

BUILDING PERMITS LIST (FOR INFORMATION ONLY)

9.1

Building Permits List for week of April 14, 2021

10.

REQUISITIONS, PAYROLLS AND ACCOUNTS

10.1

Weekly Payment Vouchers for the Week Ending April 14, 2021

• SJMC-R-2021-04-19/176
  Moved By Councillor Skinner
  Seconded By Councillor Stapleton

  That the weekly payment vouchers for the week ending April 14, 2021 in the amount of $24,804,358.88 be approved as presented.

  
  

  For (9)

  Mayor Breen, Deputy Mayor O'Leary, Councillor Hickman, Councillor Hanlon, Councillor Stapleton, Councillor Korab, Councillor Froude, Councillor Collins, and Councillor Skinner

  
  
  
  MOTION CARRIED (9 to 0)

11.

TENDERS/RFPS

11.1

2021011 Windsor Lake Water Treatment Plant Building Extension for Lime System Upgrade

• SJMC-R-2021-04-19/177
  Moved By Councillor Hickman
  Seconded By Councillor Stapleton

  That Council award this open call to the lowest bidder meeting specifications, Cahill-Lindsay Partnership, for $7,527,900.00 (HST included) as per the Public Procurement Act.

  
  

  For (9)

  Mayor Breen, Deputy Mayor O'Leary, Councillor Hickman, Councillor Hanlon, Councillor Stapleton, Councillor Korab, Councillor Froude, Councillor Collins, and Councillor Skinner

  
  
  
  MOTION CARRIED (9 to 0)

11.2

2021050 – Self Contained Snowblower Attachments

• SJMC-R-2021-04-19/178
  Moved By Councillor Hickman
  Seconded By Councillor Skinner

  That Council award open call 2021050 – Self Contained Snow Blower Attachments to the lowest bidder meeting specification, Vohl Inc., as per the Public Procurement Act, for $299,998.00 plus HST.

  Delivery date shall be within 6 months from purchase order date.

  
  

  For (9)

  Mayor Breen, Deputy Mayor O'Leary, Councillor Hickman, Councillor Hanlon, Councillor Stapleton, Councillor Korab, Councillor Froude, Councillor Collins, and Councillor Skinner

  
  
  
  MOTION CARRIED (9 to 0)

11.3

2021066 – Sweeper, 2021 or Newer

• SJMC-R-2021-04-19/179
  Moved By Councillor Hickman
  Seconded By Councillor Froude

  That Council award open call 2021066 – Sweeper, 2021 or Newer to the lowest bidder meeting specification, Saunders Equipment, as per the Public Procurement Act, for $321,750.00 plus HST.

  Delivery date shall be within 1 year from purchase order date.

   

  
  

  For (9)

  Mayor Breen, Deputy Mayor O'Leary, Councillor Hickman, Councillor Hanlon, Councillor Stapleton, Councillor Korab, Councillor Froude, Councillor Collins, and Councillor Skinner

  
  
  
  MOTION CARRIED (9 to 0)

11.4

2021039 - Glass Cleaning for Various City Buildings

• SJMC-R-2021-04-19/180
  Moved By Councillor Hickman
  Seconded By Councillor Hanlon

  That Council award this open call to the lowest bidder meeting specifications, 2298679 Ontario Inc., for $77,096.00 per year (HST Included) as per the Public Procurement Act.

  
  

  For (9)

  Mayor Breen, Deputy Mayor O'Leary, Councillor Hickman, Councillor Hanlon, Councillor Stapleton, Councillor Korab, Councillor Froude, Councillor Collins, and Councillor Skinner

  
  
  
  MOTION CARRIED (9 to 0)

12.

NOTICES OF MOTION, RESOLUTIONS QUESTIONS AND PETITIONS

13.

OTHER BUSINESS

13.1

2021 Civic Improvement Assessment Rates

• SJMC-R-2021-04-19/181
  Moved By Councillor Skinner
  Seconded By Councillor Froude

  That Council approve the assessment rates for 2021.

  
  

  For (9)

  Mayor Breen, Deputy Mayor O'Leary, Councillor Hickman, Councillor Hanlon, Councillor Stapleton, Councillor Korab, Councillor Froude, Councillor Collins, and Councillor Skinner

  
  
  
  MOTION CARRIED (9 to 0)

13.2

22 Shaw Street – Adoption – REZ2000013

• SJMC-R-2021-04-19/182
  Moved By Councillor Korab
  Seconded By Councillor Hickman

  That Council defer the recommendation to adopt St. John’s Development Regulations Amendment Number 718, 2021, which will rezone property at 22 Shaw Street from the Residential Special (RA) Zone to the Residential High Density (R3) Zone, pending the scheduling of a public meeting to facilitate feedback from the developer and residents. 

  
  

  For (9)

  Mayor Breen, Deputy Mayor O'Leary, Councillor Hickman, Councillor Hanlon, Councillor Stapleton, Councillor Korab, Councillor Froude, Councillor Collins, and Councillor Skinner

  
  
  
  MOTION CARRIED (9 to 0)

13.3

Membership for the Affordable Housing Working Group

• SJMC-R-2021-04-19/183
  Moved By Deputy Mayor O'Leary
  Seconded By Councillor Skinner

  That Council appoint Sandra Whiffen of Habitat for Humanity Newfoundland and Labrador to the Affordable Housing Working Group.

  
  

  For (9)

  Mayor Breen, Deputy Mayor O'Leary, Councillor Hickman, Councillor Hanlon, Councillor Stapleton, Councillor Korab, Councillor Froude, Councillor Collins, and Councillor Skinner

  
  
  
  MOTION CARRIED (9 to 0)

14.

ACTION ITEMS RAISED BY COUNCIL

Councillor Collins: requested staff review the problem of traffic congestion at the elementary school located at Doyle's Road. 

15.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:27 pm.