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Home My WebLink AboutCouncil Minutes - February 27, 2024 Cape Breton Regional Municipality Council Meeting Minutes February 27, 2024 9:30 a.m. at City Hall Council Chambers Council Mayor Amanda M. McDougall-Merrill Councillor Gordon MacDonald Councillor Earlene MacMullin Councillor Cyril MacDonald Councillor Eldon MacDonald Deputy Mayor James Edwards Councillor Ken Tracey Councillor Darren Bruckschwaiger Councillor Darren O'Quinn Councillor Lorne Green Staff Marie Walsh, Chief Administrative Officer Jennifer Campbell, Chief Financial Officer Christa Dicks, Municipal Clerk Wayne MacDonald, Director of Engineering and Public Works Demetri Kachafanas, KC, Regional Solicitor John MacKinnon, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer/Director of Technology Karen Neville, Senior Planner/Acting Director of Planning and Development Greg Campbell, Manager of Technical Support Services - Utilities Matt Viva, Waste Water Manager Sheila Kolanko, Property Manager Rob MacNamara, Communications Advisor - Mayor's Office Sharon MacSween, Senior Administrative Assistant Kelly McDonald, Recording Secretary Absent Councillor Steve Gillespie (regrets) Councillor Glenn Paruch (regrets) Councillor Steve Parsons (regrets) Council Meeting - Minutes February 27, 2024 Approved April 23, 2024 Page 2 of 8 The following does not represent a word for word record of the proceedings of this meeting. The agenda, reports, supporting documents, information items circulated, and video (if available) are online at verw.v..fir_„_c_b_rrr�..,..n_s c.. .. The Council met In Camera on January 23, 2024, pursuant to Section 22 (2)(e) of the Municipal Government Act. Mayor Amanda M. McDougall-Merrill called the meeting to order. Land Acknowledgement Roll Call O' Canada 1. Approval of Agenda Motion Moved by Councillor O'Quinn, seconded by Deputy Mayor Edwards, to approve the February 27, 2024, council agenda as presented. Motion Carried 2. Approval of Minutes Motion Moved by Councillor Green, seconded by Councillor Cyril MacDonald, to approve the CBPM minutes from: ➢ Council - January 9, 2024 ➢ Council - January 23, 2024 ➢ Emergency Council - February 4, 2024 Motion Carried Council Meeting - Minutes February 27, 2024 Approved April 23, 2024 Page 3 of 8 3. Proclamations 3.1 Amyloidosis Awareness Month Motion Moved by Councillor Cyril MacDonald, seconded by Councillor Eldon MacDonald, that CBRM Mayor Amanda M. McDougall-Merrill and Council proclaim the month of March 2024, as Amyloidosis Awareness Month in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality. Motion Carried 3.2 International Women's Day Motion Moved by Councillor MacMullin, seconded by Councillor Gordon MacDonald, that CBRM Mayor Amanda M. McDougall-Merrill and Council proclaim March 8t", 2024, as "International Women's Day" in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality and ask the residents of CBRM to stand as allies for women and show that together we can forge women's equality. Motion Carried 4. Planning Issue 4.1 Approval to Advertise a) Text Amendments to CBRM's Land Use By-Law Karen Neville, Acting Director/Senior Planner of Planning and Development, reviewed the issue paper and recommendation in the agenda package. The following motion was then put forward: Motion Moved by Councillor O'Quinn, seconded by Councillor Cyril MacDonald, to schedule a Public Hearing for an upcoming meeting of Council to consider the proposed amendments to the Land Use By-law. Motion Carried Council Meeting - Minutes February 27, 2024 Approved April 23, 2024 Page 4 of 8 S. By-Laws and Motions 5.1 By-laws a) Second / Final Reading - Public Hearing: N/A b) First Reading i) Wastewater Discharge By-Law # W-100 Greg Campbell, Manager of Technical Support Services - Utilities, reviewed the proposed amendments to the Wastewater Discharge By-Law # W-100 in the agenda package. Discussion took place regarding building permits and tax rates. The following motion was then put forward: Motion Moved by Councillor Eldon MacDonald, seconded by Councillor MacMullin, to approve for first reading the proposed amendments to the Wastewater Discharge By-Law # W-100 and schedule a Public Hearing for an upcoming meeting of Council. Discussion: • Clarification of new structure - user pay system Motion Carried 6. Corporate Services Issues 6.1 Request for Street Closure (PID 15750912) Portion of Undeveloped Road Reserve Off Maple Street, New Waterford (District 11) Sheila Kolanko, Property Manager, reviewed the issue paper and recommendation in the agenda package. The following motion was then put forward: Council Meeting - Minutes February 27, 2024 Approved April 23, 2024 Page 5 of 8 Motion Moved by Councillor O'Quinn, seconded by Councillor Green, to direct the Legal Department to initiate a formal street closure pursuant to Section 315 of the Municipal Government Act, for the undeveloped road reserve with the intention of deeming it surplus and sold at market value to the applicants. Discussion: Property subject to survey Motion Carried 6.2 2024 Municipal and CSAP Elections - Various Matters Christa Dicks, Municipal Clerk / Returning Officer, reviewed the letter and recommendations in the agenda package. Discussion took place regarding voting methods, costs, and help stations. The following motions were then put forward: Motion Moved by Councillor MacMullin, seconded by Councillor Eldon MacDonald, to move forward with the hybrid method of voting, indicated in the agenda package as option 3, for the 2024 Municipal and CSAP Elections. Motion Carried Motion Moved by Councillor Bruckschwaiger, seconded by Councillor Tracey, to grant the CAO and Clerk authority to establish the tariff of fees and expenses as per Section 139(1A) of the Municipal Elections Act. Motion Carried Council Meeting - Minutes February 27, 2024 Approved April 23, 2024 Page 6 of 8 Motion Moved by Councillor Cyril MacDonald, seconded by Councillor Gordon MacDonald, to authorize staff to utilize the Provincial permanent register of electors as outlines in Section 30(1)(c) of the Municipal Elections Act and that the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to sign the required information Sharing Agreement as per Section 30(B) of the Municipal Elections Act. Motion Carried Motion Moved by Councillor MacMullin, seconded by Councillor Eldon MacDonald, that in addition to the methods mandated by the Municipal Elections Act to notify the public of the preliminary list of electors and revision methods, the Returning Officer will have discretion to determine additional notification mechanisms to improve the accuracy of the electors' list. Motion Carried Motion Moved by Councillor MacMullin, seconded by Councillor Cyril MacDonald, to set the dates for the advance polling period from Thursday, October 10, 2024, to the end of polling day Tuesday, October 15, 2024, to allow for the finalization of the voters' list. Motion Carried Motion Moved by Councillor O'Quinn, seconded by Councillor Tracey, that Council authorizes election staff to amend the electors' list database in conjunction with the electronic voting system up to and including Tuesday, October 15, 2024. Motion Carried Council Meeting - Minutes February 27, 2024 Approved April 23, 2024 Page 7 of 8 6.3 Low Income Property Tax Exemption - Deadline Extension 2023-24 Jennifer Campbell, Chief Financial Officer, reviewed the issue paper and recommendation included in the agenda package. The following motion was then put forward: Motion Moved by Councillor Green, seconded by Councillor Tracey, to authorize a one-time extension to the Low-Income Property Tax Exemption application deadline from December 31 to March 31 for the 2023-24 fiscal year. Motion Carried 7. Councillor Agenda Request Councillor Gordon MacDonald reviewed the Councillor Agenda Request Form and recommendation included in the agenda package. The following motion was then put forward: Motion Moved by Councillor Gordon MacDonald, seconded by Councillor MacMullin, to rescind the CBPM Covid Policy. Discussion: • Covid Vaccine Policy was previously rescinded Federally and Provincially • Organizations who previously rescinded Covid Vaccine Policies. Motion Carried 8. Committee Reports 8.1 Fire & Emergency Services Committee Deputy Mayor James Edwards reviewed the Fire and Emergency Services Committee Report included in the agenda package. For Information Only Council Meeting - Minutes February 27, 2024 Approved April 23, 2024 Page 8 of 8 9. Financial Statements 9.1 CBRM to December 31, 2023 For Information Only 9.2 Port of Sydney Development Corporation to December 31, 2023 For Information Only 10. Review of Action Items from this Meeting Mayor Amanda McDougall-Merrill noted the following action items from this meeting: • Send a letter to the province to inquire on efforts to determine communities that acquire a second access escape route. • Extend invitations to NSFM and AMANS to present to Council. Meeting adjourned at 11:17 a.m. Amanda M. McDougall-Merrill Mayor Christa Dicks Municipal Clerk /km