Minutes of Regular Meeting - City Council

Council Chamber, 4th Floor, City Hall

Monday, November 09, 2020 at 3:00 P.m. - 5:00 P.m.

4th Floor City Hall

Present:

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

Regrets:

• Councillor Dave Lane

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:

• Brian Head, Acting DCM - Public Works

  Jennifer Langmead - Supervisor of Events and Services

   

​​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

3.

APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

3.1

Adoption of Agenda

• SJMC-R-2020-11-09/569
  Moved By Deputy Mayor O'Leary
  Seconded By Councillor Hanlon

  That the Agenda be adopted as presented.

  
  
  
  MOTION CARRIED (9 to 0)

4.

ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES

4.1

Adoption of Minutes - November 2, 2020

• SJMC-R-2020-11-09/570
  Moved By Councillor Stapleton
  Seconded By Councillor Collins

  That the minutes of November 2, 2020 be adopted as presented

  
  
  
  MOTION CARRIED (10 to 0)

5.

BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES

5.1

Heritage Designation By-Law - 50 Bonaventure Avenue

In response to the Notice of Motion brought forward at the November 2, 2020 meeting, the following was introduced.

• SJMC-R-2020-11-09/571
  Moved By Councillor Burton
  Seconded By Councillor Korab

  Pursuant to the powers vested in it under section 355 of the City of St. John’s Act, RSNL 1990 c. C-17, as amended and all other powers enabling it, the City of St. John’s enacts the following By-Law relating to the heritage designation of 50 Bonaventure Avenue, Parcel ID 7887:

                                                                 BY-LAW

  1.  This by-law may be cited as the St. John’s Heritage Designation (50 Bonaventure Avenue, Parcel ID #7887) By-Law.
  2. The building situate on property at 50 Bonaventure Avenue, Parcel ID #7887 is designated as a Heritage Building.
  
  
  
  MOTION CARRIED (10 to 0)

6.

NOTICES PUBLISHED

6.1

Notices Published - Foxtrap Access Road

A Discretionary Use Application has been submitted to develop a Mineral Workings Quarry for land off the Foxtrap Access Road (0.5km North of Foxtrap Access Road and Trans-Canada Highway Interchange.)

The proposed Quarry will be 25 hectares in area and used for the production and removal of aggregate material for construction purposes.

No submissions received

• SJMC-R-2020-11-09/572
  Moved By Councillor Collins
  Seconded By Councillor Hanlon

  That the discretionary use application to develop a Mineral Workings Quarry for land off the Foxtrap Access Road (0.5km North of Foxtrap Access Road and Trans-Canada Highway Interchange.) be approved subject to meeting all applicable requirements.

  
  
  
  MOTION CARRIED (10 to 0)

7.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

7.1

Development Committee Report

1.

Request for an Accessory Building in Commercial Industrial (CI) Zone 60 Eastland Drive

• SJMC-R-2020-11-09/573
  Moved By Councillor Burton
  Seconded By Councillor Stapleton

  That Council approve the construction of a 41.6m2 Accessory Building at 60 Eastland Drive.

  
  
  
  MOTION CARRIED (10 to 0)

2.

Request for Crown Land Grant Pursuant 1226 Blackhead Road CRW2000016

• SJMC-R-2020-11-09/574
  Moved By Councillor Burton
  Seconded By Councillor Collins

  That Council approve the Crown Land Grant Pursuant of 0.4 hectares at 1226 Blackhead Road.

  
  
  
  MOTION CARRIED (10 to 0)

7.2

Committee of the Whole Report

1.

Insurance Renewal Negotiations – 2020-21 Ratification of E-Poll

• SJMC-R-2020-11-09/575
  Moved By Councillor Hanlon
  Seconded By Councillor Hickman

  That Council ratify an e-poll conducted to approve moving from a $100,000 deductible for its Primary Property insurance to a $500,000 Self-Insured Retention and purchase just one Excess Property Policy. This would result in a cost savings of $398,823 plus tax $59,823.45 for a total of $458,646.45.

  
  
  
  MOTION CARRIED (10 to 0)

2.

Revisions to the Winter Parking Restrictions

• SJMC-R-2020-11-09/576
  Moved By Councillor Froude
  Seconded By Councillor Skinner

  That Council reject the recommendation to have the start date of the Winter On-street Parking Restriction for areas outside the Downtown and the Business District Winter Parking Restriction to December 1 each year. This parking restriction is currently implemented in early January and the exact date varies each year.

  
  
  
  MOTION CARRIED (8 to 2)
• SJMC-R-2020-11-09/577
  Moved By Councillor Froude
  Seconded By Deputy Mayor O'Leary

  That Council extend the overnight parking ban in areas outside the downtown, when operationally required. This restriction would apply when the DCM determines it is necessary due to a snow event.

  
  
  
  MOTION CARRIED (10 to 0)
• SJMC-R-2020-11-09/578
  Moved By Councillor Froude
  Seconded By Councillor Collins

  That Council revise the hours of Downtown Winter Parking Restriction which is used during snow removal operations. The current restriction is from 12:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. and the proposed hours are from 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.

  
  
  
  MOTION CARRIED (10 to 0)

3.

Sidewalk Snow Clearing Priority Revisions

• SJMC-R-2020-11-09/579
  Moved By Councillor Froude
  Seconded By Councillor Burton

  That Council adopt the following sidewalk snow clearing priority system:

   

  Priority 1A	School Zones
  Priority 1	First side of arterial roads and downtown business district (main pedestrian corridors)
  Priority 2	Second side of multi-lane arterial roads and downtown business district, and first side of collectors
  Priority 3	Second side of remaining arterial roads (with both sides serviced)
  Priority 4	Second side of collector streets (with both sides serviced) and any remaining sections of sidewalk in program

  
  
  
  MOTION CARRIED (10 to 0)

4.

Inclusion Advisory Committee Report - October 7, 2020

• SJMC-R-2020-11-09/580
  Moved By Councillor Stapleton
  Seconded By Councillor Hanlon

  That Council review the recommendations put forward by the Inclusion Advisory Committee for the Downtown Pedestrian Mall and share with all relevant parties. Recommendations include considering implications for those with vision loss such as wayfinding, indication of an upcoming ramp and obstacles on sidewalks; ensuring ramps meet code, are slip-resistant and lead to a deck that can be maneuvered by a wheelchair; access to accessible washrooms for Pedestrian Mall users; accessible parking located inside the mall was hazardous; and a need for inclusion education amongst business and security staff in the area.

  
  
  
  MOTION CARRIED (10 to 0)

5.

Shea Heights Community Centre Board of Directors Structure and Terms of Reference Update

• SJMC-R-2020-11-00/581
  Moved By Councillor Collins
  Seconded By Councillor Korab

  That Council approve the Shea Heights Community Centre Board structure and outlined changes to the Terms of Reference.

  
  
  
  MOTION CARRIED (10 to 0)

8.

DEVELOPMENT PERMITS LIST  (FOR INFORMATION ONLY) 

8.1

Development Permits List October 28 To November 4, 2020

Council considered the attached Development Permits List.

9.

BUILDING PERMITS LIST (FOR INFORMATION ONLY)

9.1

Building Permits List for the week ending November 4, 2020

Council considered the Building Permits List for the week ending November 4, 2020.

10.

REQUISITIONS, PAYROLLS AND ACCOUNTS

10.1

Weekly Payment Vouchers for the Week Ending November 4, 2020

• SJMC-R-2020-11-09/582
  Moved By Councillor Hickman
  Seconded By Deputy Mayor O'Leary

  That Council approve the weekly payment vouchers for the week ending November 4, 2020 in the amount of 5,254,107.68

  
  
  
  MOTION CARRIED (10 to 0)

11.

TENDERS/RFPS

12.

NOTICES OF MOTION, RESOLUTIONS QUESTIONS AND PETITIONS

12.1

Snow Clearing By Law Notice of Motion

Councillor Froude gave notice that he will at the next regular meeting of the St. John’s Municipal Council, move to enact amendments to the St. John’s Snow Clearing By-Law to give effect to the new winter parking restrictions as discussed at the meeting of the Committee of the Whole on October 28, 2020.

12.2

Sign By Law Notice of Motion

Councillor Hickman gave notice that at the next regular meeting of the St. John’s Municipal Council he will move to repeal the St. John’s Heritage Area Sign By-Law enacted January 14, 2002, the St. John’s Mobile Sign By-Law enacted September 20, 1999, and the St. John’s Sign By-Law enacted May 31, 2004, and enact a new comprehensive Sign By-Law regulating signage in the City of St. John’s.

13.

OTHER BUSINESS

13.1

Downtown Holiday Market Road Closure

• SJMC-R-2020-11-09/583
  Moved By Councillor Hanlon
  Seconded By Councillor Skinner

  That Council approve Option No. 2 as proposed by staff for a Downtown Holiday Market as amended to read as follows:

  Event to take place on the weekend of December 5-6, and the weekend of December 12-13 

  Soft Road Closure (outside event hours) - Water Street (Adelaide Street to Prescott Street).

  • This option has the same logistics as the full road closure, however, taxis and other drop off/pick up vehicles will be permitted on the road as of 9:00pm Friday and Saturday until 12:00pm the next day.
    • Road closure will occur 9:00pm on Friday night and will continue until 6:00pm on Sunday.
    • Signage will be used to indicate that cars not removed from Water Street will be towed at owner's expense.
    • Deliveries and couriers are permitted to enter the street before 12:00pm on Saturday and Sunday.
  • All barricades will require continuous security as only designated vehicles will be permitted.
  • There will be no parking permitted on the street throughout the weekend and there will be ample signage and communication to reflect this.
  • This option is being suggested in light of concerns from our Downtown Pedestrian Mall stakeholder and public engagement, regarding safety and access to the road late at night.
  • Estimated cost $22,000.
  
  
  
  MOTION CARRIED (9 to 1)

13.2

Special Event Regulatory Committee - Road Closures

• SJMC-R-2020-11-09/584
  Moved By Councillor Hanlon
  Seconded By Deputy Mayor O'Leary

  That Council approve the road closure request for Elton Place on November 27 and the road closure requests for Cochrane Street on November 29, December 6, December 13, December 20, and December 24.

  
  
  
  MOTION CARRIED (10 to 0)

14.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:23 pm.