HomeMy WebLinkAboutSpecial Council Minutes - Budget Session April 5, 2023 CAPE BRETON REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY
Special Council Meeting—Minutes
BUDGET SESSION 2023-24
Wednesday
April 5, 2023
9:37 a.m.
Council Chambers
2nd Floor, City Hall
320 Esplanade, Sydney, NS
Mayor McDougall called the meeting to order.
Present: Mayor Amanda M. McDougall-Merrill
Councillor Gordon MacDonald (afternoon session only)
Councillor Earlene MacMullin
Councillor Cyril MacDonald (arrived at 9:57)
Councillor Eldon MacDonald
Councillor Glenn Paruch(left at 10:30)
Councillor Steve Parsons
Deputy Mayor James Edwards
Councillor Ken Tracey
Councillor Darren O'Quinn
Councillor Lorne Green
Staff: Marie Walsh Paul MacDonald
John MacKinnon Ray Boudreau
Jennifer Campbell Bruce Hardy
Deborah Campbell Ryan Matthew Viva
Demetri Kachafanas Kirk MacNeil
Wayne MacDonald Cory Youden
Michael Ruus Sharon MacSween
Kirk Durning Angela Ross
Michael Seth
Absent: Councillor Steve Gillespie (Regrets)
Councillor Darren Bruckschwaiger (Leave of Absence)
CBRM Special Council—April 5,2023
2023-2024 Capital&Operating Budget Session
Approved December 10,2024 Page 2 of 6
Summary of Decisions
Continuation of Budget Sessions from April 4th, 2023:
DRAFT Capital Budget 2023-2024:
The Draft Capital Budget for 2023-2024 was presented.
CMHC Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI) Proposals
Motion that New Dawn Enterprises be appointed as CBRM's Intermediary for the Cites
Stream —Round 3 RHI application. Carried.
ADJOURNMENT
CBRM Special Council—April 5,2023
2023-2024 Capital&Operating Budget Session
Approved December 10,2024 Page 3 of 6
Continuation of Budget Sessions from April 4th, 2023:
Mayor McDougall-Merrill welcomed everyone back to the continuation of the Budget
Deliberations Session for 2023-24. She advised that staff were asked to come back with
further reductions to the deficit and consideration of using the Operating Reserve in a
sustainable and manageable way.
In response to questions, Jennifer Campbell, Chief Financial Officer, provided an
explanation regarding the differences between the Operating and Capital Budgets and the
constraints within each (i.e. The municipality cannot borrow for operating expenses.
DRAFT Capital Budget 2023-2024:
Wayne MacDonald, Director of Engineering & Public Works, provided a presentation
and overview of the Draft Capital Budget for 2023-2024, noting that there were 2
additional sheets distributed to Council and staff. He highlighted the following:
General capital and how its funded
• Importance of core infrastructure and use funding
Condition of assets
Capital funded out of operating
• Municipal and Provincial Roads
• Infrastructure needs
• Leverage funding for most infrastructure projects
Sydney Harbor West
• Port Morien and Glace Bay wastewater treatment
Upgrades to Battery Point and CBRM wastewater
Washbrook floodwater intensity mitigation project
Gilholmes Lake
Charlotte Street revitalization
Gas tax program
• Active Transportation 2023
Washbrook greenway coalition
J Class roads
Collaborative Investment Program —2023
• Parks and Grounds funding
• Building Upgrades
Green Inclusive Community Buildings
• Federal funding
• Provincial Funding - Sustainable Services Growth Fund $3M
• Port of Sydney
• Transit rolling stock for 2023
• Fire Services 2023
• IT tech projects
Continued...
CBRM Special Council—April 5,2023
2023-2024 Capital&Operating Budget Session
Approved December 10,2024 Page 4 of 6
DRAFT Capital Budget 2023-2024 (Cont'd):
The Director of Engineering &Public Works called on the Chief Financial Officer who
summarized the Capital Plan and what the impact has on overall debt.
The Chief Financial Officer provided an update to Council on the impact of the Capital
Budget on the overall debt.
After the presentation on the Capital Budget, some of Councils discission included the
following:
J-class roads
• Provincial Sustainable Services Growth Fund
Green Inclusive Community Buildings Fund
• Transit rolling stock
• Local roads paving
Worst first roads
ICIP
Signage and renovations for Centre 200
Sidewalks and bridges
• Tenders
• Accessibility in CBRM
• Project completion dates
• Fleet
• Funding for Library
• Advertising for Facilities
Wentworth Park Gazebo (full replacement)
• Louisbourg Project update
• Pond 5 and Gilholmes Lake completion
• Revenue from school closures required to be put in Capital Reserve
Bruce Hardy indicated that he would forward the model used to determine "worst first"
roads to Councillor Green.
After discussion, it was agreed to postpone approving the Capital budget until after the
Operating Budget presentation the following day.
Council recessed for Lunch at 12:27 p.m.
Council resumed at 1:07 p.m.
CBRM Special Council—April 5,2023
2023-2024 Capital&Operating Budget Session
Approved December 10,2024 Page 5 of 6
Mayor McDougall welcomed everyone back to the afternoon session.
ADDENDUM:
CMHC Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI) Proposals
Marie Walsh, Chief Administrative Officer, advised that as directed, staff submitted all
four proposals from the proponents to CMHC who in turn rated each project in order of
eligibility, as follows:
1. New Dawn Enterprises
2. Souls Harbour
3. Town House Glace Bay
4. Joneljim
She advised that she did reach out to all the proponents to address the questions put
forward from CMHC. She noted that they are included in the package that was circulated
to Council.
The following motion was then put forward:
Motion:
Moved by Councillor Parsons, seconded by Deputy Mayor Edwards, that New Dawn
Enterprises be appointed as CBRM's Intermediary for the Cites Stream — Round 3 RHI
application.
Discussion
During discussion, Councillors shared their concerns on the new proposed building
location being within the Northend Sydney Heritage District.
The Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) spoke to the proposals and noted that while no
one proposal met the all criteria, New Dawn Enterprises only had a couple of issues and
they made changes to their plan to meet the criteria. Further, the CAO said that New
Dawn Enterprises has the most shovel-ready project that poses the least risk to CBRM.
Council discussion continued, and a Point of Order was raised by Councillor Green
regarding discussion not being related to the motion on the floor.
The Mayor then called for the vote.
Motion Carried.
Continued...
CBRM Special Council—April 5,2023
2023-2024 Capital&Operating Budget Session
Approved December 10,2024 Page 6 of 6
CMHC Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI) Proposals (Cont'd):
Marie Walsh, Chief Administrative Officer, advised that staff will need an official letter
from the Province to indicate their support for the project Staff will continue to work
with New Dawn as well as CMHC to get all the information required.
Mayor McDougall-Merrill thanked everyone for their hard work and dedication to this
proj ect.
The meeting recessed for the day at 1:22 p.m.
Cecil P. Clarke
Mayor
Christa Dicks
Municipal Clerk
/acr