HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Minutes - April 23, 2024 Cape Breton Regional Municipality
Council Meeting Minutes
April 23, 2024
9:31 a.m. at City Hall Council Chambers
Council
Mayor Amanda M. McDougall-Merrill
Councillor Gordon MacDonald
Councillor Earlene MacMullin
Councillor Cyril MacDonald
Councillor Steve Gillespie
Councillor Eldon MacDonald
Councillor Glenn Paruch
Councillor Steve Parsons
Deputy Mayor James Edwards
Councillor Ken Tracey
Councillor Darren Bruckschwaiger
Councillor Darren O'Quinn
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
Karen Neville, Acting Director of Planning and Development/Senior Planner
Mark Bettens, Fire Chief/Director of Fire and Emergency Services
Craig MacNeil, Deputy Fire Chief
Sheila Kolanko, Property Manager
John Crane, Manager of Bylaws and Building Inspections
Sharon MacSween, Senior Administrative Assistant
Kelly McDonald, Recording Secretary
Absent
Councillor Lorne Green (Regrets)
Council Meeting - Minutes
April 23, 2024 Approved June 25, 2024 Page 2 of 9
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.. ..
Mayor Amanda M. McDougall-Merrill called the meeting to order.
Land Acknowledgement
Roll Call
O' Canada
1. Approval of Agenda
Motion
Moved by Councillor Paruch, seconded by Councillor Cyril MacDonald, to
approve the April 23, 2024, council agenda as presented.
Motion Carried
2. Approval of Minutes
Motion
Moved by Councillor MacMullin, seconded by Councillor Gordon, to approve
the CBRM minutes from:
➢ Council - February 27, 2024
➢ Council - March 12, 2024
➢ Council - March 26, 2024
➢ Emergency Council - March 28, 2024
Motion Carried
Council Meeting - Minutes
April 23, 2024 Approved June 25, 2024 Page 3 of 9
3. Proclamations
3.1 Emergency Preparedness Week
Motion
Moved by Councillor O'Quinn, seconded by Councillor Tracey, that CBRM
Mayor Amanda M. McDougall-Merrill and Council proclaim the week of May
5th - 11th, 2024, as "Emergency Preparedness Week" in the Cape Breton
Regional Municipality to promote public understanding and awareness of
emergency preparedness issues and to educate CBRM residents of
emergency risks in their community and how to prepare their home and
family for potential emergencies.
Motion Carried
3.2 Health and Safety Professionals Canada - Safety and
Health Week
Motion
Moved by Councillor Eldon MacDonald, seconded by Councillor Gillespie, that
CBRM Mayor Amanda M. McDougall-Merrill and Council proclaim the week of
May 6th to May 11th, 2024, as "Health and Safety Professionals Canada
Safety and Health Week" in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality.
Motion Carried
3.3 Celebration of Harmony Weekend
Motion
Moved by Councillor Gillespie, seconded by Councillor Cyril MacDonald, that
CBRM Mayor Amanda M. McDougall-Merrill and Council proclaim Friday, May
10th and Saturday, May 11th, 2024, as "Celebration of Harmony Weekend" in
the Cape Breton Regional Municipality.
Motion Carried
Council Meeting - Minutes
April 23, 2024 Approved June 25, 2024 Page 4 of 9
3.4 Mental Health Week
Motion
Moved by Councillor Bruckschwaiger, seconded by Councillor O'Quinn, that
CBRM Mayor Amanda M. McDougall-Merrill and Council proclaim May 6th to
May 12th, 2024, as "Mental Health Week" in the Cape Breton Regional
Municipality.
Motion Carried
3.5 International ME/CFS Awareness Day
Motion
Moved by Councillor Tracey, seconded by Deputy Mayor Edwards, that CBRM
Mayor Amanda M. McDougall-Merrill and Council proclaim Sunday, May 12th,
2024, as "International ME/CFS Awareness Day" in the Cape Breton Regional
Municipality.
Motion Carried
3.6 Falun Dafa Day
Motion
Moved by Councillor Gordon MacDonald, seconded by Councillor Eldon
MacDonald, that CBRM Mayor Amanda M. McDougall-Merrill and Council
proclaim May 13th, 2024, as "Falun Dafa Day" in the Cape Breton Regional
Municipality.
Motion Carried
3.7 Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month
Motion
Moved by Councillor MacMullin, seconded by Councillor Paruch, that CBRM
Mayor Amanda M. McDougall-Merrill and Council proclaim May 2024, as
"Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month" in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality.
Motion Carried
Council Meeting - Minutes
April 23, 2024 Approved June 25, 2024 Page 5 of 9
3.8 Gaelic Nova Scotia Month
Motion
Moved by Councillor Parsons, seconded by Deputy Mayor Edwards, that
CBRM Mayor Amanda M. McDougall-Merrill and Council proclaim May 2024,
as "Gaelic Nova Scotia Month" in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality.
Motion Carried
3.9 Lyme Disease Awareness Month
Motion
Moved by Councillor Paruch, seconded by Councillor Parsons, that CBRM
Mayor Amanda M. McDougall-Merrill and Council proclaim May 2024, as
"Lyme Disease Awareness Month" in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality.
Motion Carried
3.10 Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month
Motion
Moved by Councillor Cyril MacDonald, seconded by Councillor Gillespie, that
CBRM Mayor Amanda M. McDougall-Merrill and Council proclaim May 2024,
as "Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month" in the Cape Breton Regional
Municipality.
Motion Carried
3.11 Melanoma and Skin Care Awareness Month
Motion
Moved by Deputy Mayor Edwards, seconded by Councillor Tracey, that CBRM
Mayor Amanda M. McDougall-Merrill and Council proclaim May 2024, as
"Melanoma and Skin Cancer Awareness Month" in the Cape Breton Regional
Municipality.
Motion Carried
Council Meeting - Minutes
April 23, 2024 Approved June 25, 2024 Page 6 of 9
4. By-Laws and Motions
4.1 Second / Final Reading - Public Hearing
i) Passenger Vehicle for Hire By-Law - Debit or Service
Fee Provision
Mayor McDougall-Merrill informed John Crane is present for questions and
answers. The Mayor called three times for any members of the public
wishing to speak on the matter, no speakers came forth. The following
motion was then put forward:
Motion
Moved by Councillor Parsons, seconded by Councillor Paruch, to adopt the
amended Passenger Vehicle for Hire By-law to allow taxi operators to charge
a fee if the total fare is not paid in cash subject to terms identified in
Appendix B.
Motion Carried
4.2 First Reading - N/A
S. Presentations
5.1 SolarBank - The Future is Bright
Representatives of SolarBank provided a presentation titled, "The Future is
Bright". Discussion took place between SolarBank representatives, Council,
and staff regarding timelines, designs, site selection processes, and permit
and set back requirements. The following motion was then put forward:
Motion
Moved by Councillor Paruch, seconded by Councillor Gillespie, to send
SolarBank a letter of support for the project submission on behalf of CBPM
Council.
Motion Carried
Council Meeting - Minutes
April 23, 2024 Approved June 25, 2024 Page 7 of 9
6. Corporate Services Issues
6.1 Request to Deem CBRM Property Surplus PID 15528805
- Lingan Road (District 12)
Sheila Kolanko, Property Manager, reviewed the issue paper and
recommendation in the agenda package. The following motion was then put
forward:
Motion
Moved by Councillor Parsons, seconded by Councillor Cyril MacDonald, to
declare the subject property, identified as PID 15528805, surplus and to be
sold at market value.
Motion Carried
6.2 Affordable Housing Policies
Acting Director Karen Neville reviewed the issue paper and recommendation
in the agenda package. Discussion took place between Council and staff
regarding authority and the Municipal Government Act. The following
motions were then put forward:
Motion
Moved by Councillor Paruch, seconded by Councillor Cyril MacDonald, to
adopt the CBRM Affordable Housing Property Tax Adjustment Policy.
Motion Carried
Motion
Moved by Councillor Eldon MacDonald, seconded by Councillor Parsons, to
adopt the CBRM Affordable Housing Grant Policy.
Motion Carried
6.3 2024 Municipal and CSAP Elections - Polling Divisions
Christa Dicks, Municipal Clerk/Municipal Returning Officer, reviewed the
memo in the agenda package.
For Information Only
Council Meeting - Minutes
April 23, 2024 Approved June 25, 2024 Page 8 of 9
7. Council Agenda Request
7.1 Accessory Dwelling Unit Amendment
Mayor McDougall-Merrill reviewed the memo included in the agenda
package. The following motion was then put forward:
Motion
Moved by Councillor Eldon, seconded by Councillor Paruch, to direct CBRM
Planning staff to provide an issue paper with proposed amendments to the
Land Use By-Law that would allow AUDs to be permitted for supportive
housing properties.
Motion Carried
8. Committee Reports - N/A
9. Financial Statements
9.1 CBRM to February 29, 2024
For Information Only
9.2 Port of Sydney Development Corporation to February 29,
2024
For Information Only
10. Review of Action Items from this Meeting
Mayor Amanda M. McDougall-Merrill noted the following action item:
• Send SolarBank a letter of support for the project submission on behalf
of CBRM Council.
Council Meeting - Minutes
April 23, 2024 Approved June 25, 2024 Page 9 of 9
Meeting adjourned at 11:30 a.m.
Amanda M. McDougall-Merrill
Mayor
Christa Dicks
Municipal Clerk
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