Minutes of Regular Meeting - City Council

Council Chamber, 4th Floor, City Hall

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4th Floor City Hall
Present:
  • Deputy Mayor Sheilagh O'Leary
  • Councillor Ron Ellsworth
  • Councillor Sandy Hickman
  • Councillor Debbie Hanlon
  • Councillor Jill Bruce
  • Councillor Ophelia Ravencroft
  • Councillor Jamie Korab
Regrets:
  • Mayor Danny Breen
  • Councillor Maggie Burton
  • Councillor Ian Froude
  • Councillor Carl Ridgeley
Staff:
  • 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
  • Karen Chafe, City Clerk
  • Kelly Maguire, Public Relations & Marketing Officer
  • Brian Head, Acting Deputy City Manager, Public Works
  • Jennifer Squires, Legislative Assistant
Others:
  • Lindsay Lyghtle Brushett, Supervisor, Planning & Development

​​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.”


As Mayor Breen was absent, Deputy Mayor O'Leary acted as chair and called the meeting to order.

  • SJMC-R-2021-11-07/500
    Moved ByCouncillor Ravencroft
    Seconded ByCouncillor Bruce

    That the Agenda be adopted as presented.


    For (7)Deputy Mayor O'Leary, Councillor Hickman, Councillor Hanlon, Councillor Korab, Councillor Ellsworth, Councillor Ravencroft, and Councillor Bruce


    MOTION CARRIED (7 to 0)
  • SJMC-R-2021-11-07/501
    Moved ByCouncillor Hanlon
    Seconded ByCouncillor Korab

    That the minutes of October 31, 2022, be adopted as presented.


    For (7)Deputy Mayor O'Leary, Councillor Hickman, Councillor Hanlon, Councillor Korab, Councillor Ellsworth, Councillor Ravencroft, and Councillor Bruce


    MOTION CARRIED (7 to 0)

Amended motion under Section 14.2 in this agenda.

  • SJMC-R-2021-11-07/502
    Moved ByCouncillor Ravencroft
    Seconded ByCouncillor Hickman

    That Council rescind motion SJMC-R-2022-05-02/189 regarding the adoption of St. John’s Development Regulations Amendment Number 11, 2022.


    For (7)Deputy Mayor O'Leary, Councillor Hickman, Councillor Hanlon, Councillor Korab, Councillor Ellsworth, Councillor Ravencroft, and Councillor Bruce


    MOTION CARRIED (7 to 0)

Councillor Bruce questioned if the previously approved restaurant and lounge on the second floor of 300 Torbay Road would still be proceeding. The Deputy City Manager of Planning, Engineering, & Regulatory Services responded that development would occur on both levels of the building as per the previous application.

  • SJMC-R-2021-11-07/503
    Moved ByCouncillor Korab
    Seconded ByCouncillor Bruce

    That Council approve the Discretionary Use application for 300 Torbay Road to allow a Restaurant on the main level of the building.


    For (7)Deputy Mayor O'Leary, Councillor Hickman, Councillor Hanlon, Councillor Korab, Councillor Ellsworth, Councillor Ravencroft, and Councillor Bruce


    MOTION CARRIED (7 to 0)
  • SJMC-R-2021-11-07/504
    Moved ByCouncillor Korab
    Seconded ByCouncillor Ravencroft

    That Council approve parking relief for 1 parking space at 38 Spencer Street to allow for a Subsidiary Dwelling Unit.


    For (7)Deputy Mayor O'Leary, Councillor Hickman, Councillor Hanlon, Councillor Korab, Councillor Ellsworth, Councillor Ravencroft, and Councillor Bruce


    MOTION CARRIED (7 to 0)
  • SJMC-R-2021-11-07/505
    Moved ByCouncillor Ravencroft
    Seconded ByCouncillor Bruce

    That Council approve the mural on the front façade of 124 Water Street, as proposed.


    For (7)Deputy Mayor O'Leary, Councillor Hickman, Councillor Hanlon, Councillor Korab, Councillor Ellsworth, Councillor Ravencroft, and Councillor Bruce


    MOTION CARRIED (7 to 0)
  • SJMC-R-2021-11-07/506
    Moved ByCouncillor Ellsworth
    Seconded ByCouncillor Hanlon

    That the weekly payment vouchers for the week ending November 2, 2022, in the amount of $3,427,064.23 be approved as presented.


    For (7)Deputy Mayor O'Leary, Councillor Hickman, Councillor Hanlon, Councillor Korab, Councillor Ellsworth, Councillor Ravencroft, and Councillor Bruce


    MOTION CARRIED (7 to 0)
  • SJMC-R-2021-11-07/507
    Moved ByCouncillor Hickman
    Seconded ByCouncillor Ellsworth

    That Council approve for award this open call to the lowest and sole bidder meeting specifications, NARL Marketing LP, for $34,919.00 per year (HST not Incl.) as per the Public Procurement Act.


    For (7)Deputy Mayor O'Leary, Councillor Hickman, Councillor Hanlon, Councillor Korab, Councillor Ellsworth, Councillor Ravencroft, and Councillor Bruce


    MOTION CARRIED (7 to 0)

Deputy Mayor O'Leary asked the Deputy City Manager of Planning, Engineering, & Regulatory Services to comment on the necessity for archaeological digs in the City. The Deputy City Manager responded that there are certain areas in the City that are identified as requiring the services of an archaeologist should major excavation occur. The archaeologist would remain on site during the excavation to ensure that anything of interest is properly excavated and catalogued. This would mitigate the risk of losing valuable artifacts that may be found. It is not common that artifacts are found, but should the archaeologist not be on site then the opportunity to preserve any items of interest would be lost. Deputy Mayor O'Leary then asked what happens to the excavated materials of archaeological significance. The Deputy City Manager replied that this would depend on the type of artifact that was uncovered. Measures would be taken to ensure the integrity of the artifact was maintained and consultation would occur with various archives, museums, and preservation groups as required.

  • SJMC-R-2021-11-07/508
    Moved ByCouncillor Hickman
    Seconded ByCouncillor Ravencroft

    THAT Council award to Blair Temple Associates in the amount of $55,430 based on the evaluation of the proposals by the City’s evaluation team as per the Public Procurement Act


    For (7)Deputy Mayor O'Leary, Councillor Hickman, Councillor Hanlon, Councillor Korab, Councillor Ellsworth, Councillor Ravencroft, and Councillor Bruce


    MOTION CARRIED (7 to 0)
  • SJMC-R-2021-11-07/509
    Moved ByCouncillor Hickman
    Seconded ByCouncillor Ellsworth

    That Council approve for award open call 2022191 – Traffic Signs and Traffic Control Devices to the lowest bidder meeting specification, Construction Signs Ltd, for $142,850.53 (HST included) as per Public Procurement Act.


    For (7)Deputy Mayor O'Leary, Councillor Hickman, Councillor Hanlon, Councillor Korab, Councillor Ellsworth, Councillor Ravencroft, and Councillor Bruce


    MOTION CARRIED (7 to 0)

Councillor Korab presented a petition from the residents of Glenview Terrace requesting that action be taken upon the owners and/or tenants of the property on 61 James Lane (Avalon Recycling). The petition listed several violations of the Commercial Maintenance By-Law and Noise By-Law and noted that residents have requested that action be taken for a number of years with little movement. Seagulls nest on the building on an annual basis and are impacting the peace and tranquility of the residents.

Councillor Korab requested the Deputy City Manager of Planning, Engineering, & Regulatory Services to comment on the City's property standards and asked if the seagull issue would fall outside of the City's jurisdiction. Staff advised that seagulls are migratory birds and are protected federally. When birds do nest, it is handled at the provincial or federal level. With the City's property standards, once a complaint is received then an investigation takes place to determine if there is an issue attracting the gulls. Should a cause be identified, appropriate action is then taken to deal with the issues. The Deputy City Manager further advised that Staff were in the process of revising the Commercial Maintenance By-Law to possibly allow the City to deal with similar situations in a more effective manner. Councillor Korab requested that Staff investigate the issue and contact the provincial or federal government on behalf of the residents of Glenview Terrace.

  • SJMC-R-2021-11-07/510
    Moved ByCouncillor Hanlon
    Seconded ByCouncillor Bruce

    That Council approve Mr. Al Skehen as the Newfoundland and Labrador Public Sector Pensioners’ Association’s appointment to the Seniors Advisory Committee.


    For (7)Deputy Mayor O'Leary, Councillor Hickman, Councillor Hanlon, Councillor Korab, Councillor Ellsworth, Councillor Ravencroft, and Councillor Bruce


    MOTION CARRIED (7 to 0)
  • SJMC-R-2021-11-07/511
    Moved ByCouncillor Ravencroft
    Seconded ByCouncillor Hickman

    That Council adopt St. John’s Development Regulations Amendment Number 11, 2022, to allow stand-alone single detached dwellings in the Rural (RUR) Zone for civic numbers 420 to 496 Maddox Cove Road (even numbers only).


    For (7)Deputy Mayor O'Leary, Councillor Hickman, Councillor Hanlon, Councillor Korab, Councillor Ellsworth, Councillor Ravencroft, and Councillor Bruce


    MOTION CARRIED (7 to 0)
  • SJMC-R-2021-11-07/512
    Moved ByCouncillor Hanlon
    Seconded ByCouncillor Ellsworth

    That Council approve the road closures associated with the following events:
    - Royal Canadian Legion Remembrance Day Parade – November 11
    - Shea Heights Remembrance Day Parade – November 11
    - Christmas on Cochrane – November 27, December 4, 11, 18
    - Downtown St. John’s Christmas Parade– November 27(inclement weather date December 4)
    - Goulds Lions Club Christmas Parade – December 4 (inclement weather date December 11)


    For (7)Deputy Mayor O'Leary, Councillor Hickman, Councillor Hanlon, Councillor Korab, Councillor Ellsworth, Councillor Ravencroft, and Councillor Bruce


    MOTION CARRIED (7 to 0)
  • SJMC-R-2021-11-07/513
    Moved ByCouncillor Ravencroft
    Seconded ByCouncillor Hickman

    That Council approve the transfer of a 0.8-meter-wide strip of land, in the City’s Road Reservation, to Habitat for Humanity, as shown in red on the attached diagram.


    For (7)Deputy Mayor O'Leary, Councillor Hickman, Councillor Hanlon, Councillor Korab, Councillor Ellsworth, Councillor Ravencroft, and Councillor Bruce


    MOTION CARRIED (7 to 0)
  • SJMC-R-2021-11-07/514
    Moved ByCouncillor Hanlon
    Seconded ByCouncillor Ellsworth

    That Council approve the road closure requested for the filming of Hudson and Rex on Monday November 14.


    For (7)Deputy Mayor O'Leary, Councillor Hickman, Councillor Hanlon, Councillor Korab, Councillor Ellsworth, Councillor Ravencroft, and Councillor Bruce


    MOTION CARRIED (7 to 0)

Councillor Hanlon provided Council with information on free services for adults in  Newfoundland and Labrador who may struggle with reading, writing, math, or organizational skills as being offered by the Learning Disabilities Association of Newfoundland and Labrador (LDANL) She requested that information concerning the program be posted on the City's website.

Councillor Hanlon requested that information concerning Schizophrenia Society NL's Family Recovery Journey Program be shared via the City's Community Calendar. Family Recovery Journey is a free, five session Zoom program that provides an opportunity for those with loved ones living with Schizophrenia or Psychosis to learn strategies for managing the impact of psychosis and schizophrenia on families and friends. The sessions begin on Tuesday, November 15th and residents can call 777-3335 to register.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 3:41 p.m.