HomeMy WebLinkAboutSpecial Council Minutes November 22, 2021 CAPE BRETON REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY
Special Council Meeting Minutes
Monday,
November 22, 2021
1:07 p.m.
Council Chambers
2nd Floor, City Hall
320 Esplanade Sydney, NS
Mayor Amanda M. McDougall called the meeting to order.
Council: Mayor Amanda M. McDougall
Councillor Gordon MacDonald
Deputy Mayor Earlene MacMullin
Councillor Cyril MacDonald (arrived at 1:27 p.m. —3:23 p.m.)
Councillor Steve Gillespie
Councillor Eldon MacDonald
Councillor Glenn Paruch
Councillor James Edwards
Councillor Ken Tracey
Councillor Darren O'Quinn
Councillor Lorne Green (arrived at 3:22 p.m.)
Staff. Marie Walsh, Chief Administrative Officer
Jennifer Campbell, Chief Financial Officer
Deborah Campbell Ryan, Municipal Clerk
Demetri Kachafanas, QC, Regional Solicitor
Michael Ruus, Director of Planning & Development
Mike Targett, Community Consultation Coordinator
Sharon MacSween, Senior Administrative Assistant
Tanya Nicholson, Recording Secretary
Absent: Councillor Steve Parsons (Regrets)
Councillor Darren Bruckschwaiger (Leave of Absence)
Special Council Meeting- Minutes
November 22, 2021 Approved February 8, 2022 2 of 10
Summary of Decisions
Land Acknowledgement
Roll Call
1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
Motion to approve the November 22, 2021 Special Council Agenda as circulated.
Carried.
2. PROCLAMATION:
2.1 United Way Cape Breton Giving Tuesday:
Motion that Mayor Amanda M. McDougall and CBRM Council hereby recognize
November 30a', 2021, as GivingTuesday in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality.
Carried.
3. Overview of Meeting Process and Expectations:
The Mayor provided an overview of the meeting process and expectations.
4. NS Department of Municipal Affairs and Housing:
Representatives from the NS Department of Municipal Affairs and Housing (DMAH)
provided a presentation on recent developments regard Affordable Housing in Nova
Scotia.
5. Council Discussion:
Council discussed the DMAH presentation on Affordable Housing.
Continued...
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November 22, 2021 Approved February 8, 2022 3 of 10
Summary of Decisions (Cont'd)
6. Nova Scotia Affordable Housing Commission:
• Homelessness Perspective: "Homelessness and Housing in CBRM"
Fred Deveaux, Executive Director- Cape Breton Community Housing
Association
Mr. Deveaux provided a presentation on Homelessness and Housing in CBRM.
• Municipal Perspective & Work of Commission: Marie Walsh, CBRM
Chief Administrative Officer
The Chief Administrative Officer, and member of the Affordable Housing Commission,
provided an update on the Province's response to the Commission's recommendations.
7. Seton School Affordable Housing Proiect/North Sydney Food Bank:
The President/CEO of New Dawn Enterprises provided a presentation on the Seton
School Affordable Housing Project/North Sydney Food Bank.
8. Dr. Catherine Leviten-Reid re: Affordable HousinWF[omelessness:
Dr. Leviten-Reid provided a presentation on Affordable Housing/Homelessness.
9. Review of Action Items from the Meeting:
Mayor McDougall reviewed action items from this meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
Special Council Meeting- Minutes
November 22, 2021 Approved February 8, 2022 4 of 10
Land Acknowledgement
Roll Call
1. Approval of Agenda
Motion:
Moved by Deputy Mayor MacMullin, seconded by Councillor Paruch, to approve the
November 22nd, 2021 Special Council Agenda as circulated.
Motion Carried.
2. PROCLAMATION:
2.1 United Way Cape Breton Giving Tuesday:
Motion:
Moved by Councillor Gillespie, seconded by Councillor Eldon MacDonald, that Mayor
Amanda M. McDougall and CBRM Council hereby recognize November 30d', 2021, as
GivingTuesday in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality.
Motion Carried.
3. Overview of Meeting Process and Expectations:
Mayor McDougall provided an overview of the meeting process and expectations, noting
that representatives from the Department of Municipal Affairs and Housing would present
first, followed by Council discussion.
Then the remaining presenters would follow, after which Council would engage in a wider
discussion.
Continued...
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November 22, 2021 Approved February 8, 2022 5 of 10
4. NS Department of Municipal Affairs and Housing (DMAH):
Mayor McDougall welcomed Deputy Minister Paul LaFleche and Associate Deputy
Minister Mark Peck who provided a presentation on Recent Developments in Affordable
Housing in Nova Scotia, highlighting the following:
• Housing Spectrum
• Housing in CBRM
• What is Affordable Housing?
Nova Scotia Affordable Housing Commission (NSAHC)
Cape Breton Regional Municipality: What We Heard
NSAHC—Recommendations
o Short-Term 2021/2022
o Mid-Term 2022/2024
o Long-Term 2024/2026
CBRHA —Public Housing
CBRHA —Rent Supplements
New Support for Community Housing Sector
• A Healthy Nova Scotia: Solutions for Housing and Homelessness
New Housing Investments
5. Council Discussion:
Council discussion on the DMAH presentation included:
• Inclusionary zoning flexibility so municipalities can negotiate with Developers
(Province devolved the responsibility to municipalities)
• Donating land for Affordable Housing
• For-profit companies' involvement with Affordable Housing
• Affordable Housing crisis is recent issue
• Public Housing is Provincial responsibility -not Municipal
• Municipality's role in Affordable Housing is voluntary
Shortage of Building Inspectors - impacts
Continued...
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November 22, 2021 Approved February 8, 2022 6 of 10
COUNCIL DISCUSSION(Cont'd):
Consider CBRM Advisory Committee or Task Force consisting of CBRM
representatives and Community Stakeholders
• Average income stats are for all of Nova Scotia-not specific to CBRM
• Affordable Housing in the private rental market
• Affordable Housing projects are determined by areas of high demand and
applications submitted
CMHC Eligibility
CBRM applications have been approved but not announced
• Impact of CAP —CBRM willing to conduct a CAP Pilot Project
CMHC Definition of Affordability — 30 percent of income one would pay in
housing costs
• Direct financial support—will there be a limit in legislation for direct funding?
• First time home ownership market data in HRM versus market data in CBRM (re:
$5,000 rebate)
Mayor McDougall thanked Deputy Minister Paul LaFleche and Associate Deputy
Minister Mark Peck for their presentation.
6. Nova Scotia Affordable Housing Commission:
• Homelessness Perspective: "Homelessness and Housing in CBRM"
Fred Deveaux, Executive Director of the Cape Breton Community Housing Association
and member of the Provincial Affordable Housing Commission, provided a presentation
which included the following:
o Research Context: Homelessness in the CBRM
o Housing Stock Research Conducted by Cape Breton University
o Housing Stock Research Results
o Who are these Units for? Targeting Renters in CBRM
o Who are these Units for, by Type of Provider?
o Median Shelter Costs Versus Shelter Allowances
o Vacancies: One Bedroom Market Rentals by Cost
Continued...
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November 22, 2021 Approved February 8, 2022 7 of 10
Nova Scotia Affordable Housing Commission (Cont'd):
• Municipal Perspective & Work of Commission:
Marie Walsh, CBRM Chief Administrative Officer and member of the Provincial
Affordable Housing Commission, provided supplementary information to the Deputy
Minister's presentation on the Commission's Recommendations, as follows:
• Government introduced legislation to strengthen tenant protections and provide
clarity for landlords. It addresses the Commission's recommendation to
modernize provincial legislation to protect renters against evictions due to
renovations. The measures include:
o Evicted due to renovation
o Mutual agreements to terminate a lease between tenants and landlords
must be in writing
o Landlords must give the tenant between one and three months rent as
compensation for the eviction
o Landlord violations of the new protections can lead to additional
compensation for tenants such as covering moving expenses or paying the
difference between the tenant's new unit and the rent paid for their former
unit, for up to one year.
• Potential strain on availability of rental properties when NSCC opens in Sydney
(i.e. student residences)
• Concerns about the potential long-term impacts of extending the CAP on rental
increases on housing supply (Commission not in agreement with that)
Ms. Walsh noted the formal progress report will be released the end of November and
Council will receive a copy when available.
Continued...
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November 22, 2021 Approved February 8, 2022 8 of 10
7. Seton School Affordable Housing Proiect/North Sydney Food Bank:
Erika Shea, President/CEO —New Dawn Enterprises, acknowledged two members of her
team that were in attendance: Mr. Lawrence Shebib, North Sydney Food Bank and Mr.
Clayton Bartlett, Dora Construction. Ms. Shea then provided a presentation highlighting
the following:
New Dawn Enterprises
• What is the affordable housing goal? What is the extent of the need in CBRM?
• Why Should CBRM be Involved in the Provision of Affordable Housing?
• Economics of Affordable Housing: Two-bedroom Unit
• Building Healthy Communities
Seton Capital Costs —Financing (Housing Only)
Seton Operating Costs —Revenues (Housing Only)
Conclusions
Cautions
• Recommendations
8. Dr. Catherine Leviten-Reid re: Affordable Housing/Homelessness:
Dr. Catherine Leviten-Reid provided a presentation on Affordable Housing Research and
the CBRM, highlighting the following:
• Presentation Outline
• Research Projects Involving the CBRM
• Why Affordable Rental Housing Matters: Local Findings
• In Designing Responses, the Non-profit Sector Plays an Important Role in
Affordable Housing
• Proximity to Amenities and Service Needs to be Considered
Neighbourhood Context Needs to Be Considered
Neighbourhoods Need to be Considered in Designing Responses
• Reviewing Who the Proposed Affordable Housing is for is Also Important
Other Considerations
• Homelessness and Emergency Responses
It was agreed to relax the speaking time rules for Council discussion.
Continued...
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November 22, 2021 Approved February 8, 2022 9 of 10
During Council discussion on the above presentations, some of the matters raised
included:
• Possible future use of the Northside and New Waterford hospitals for affordable
housing, and redirect monies earmarked for demolition to renovations for same
Scattered site approach for Affordable Housing -not just in one location
Setting Affordable Housing targets
Stigmatized housing developments in our community
Scoring criteria for national funding for Affordable Housing
• Redirect Homes on Tax Sale to Affordable Housing, noting that not all buildings
can be renovated for safe, dignified housing
Options to explore (i.e. existing dwellings -not just new builds)
Outreach to the community
Student demand for rental units in the CBRM could be impacting housing
shortage
Conversations with NSCC re: housing students
Need for more diverse housing in the CBRM
Mayor McDougall thanked all of the presenters for their presentations.
9. Review of Action Items from the Meeting:
Mayor McDougall noted the following items would be addressed:
1) Take an inward look to see if CBRM has buildings such as the Northside and New
Waterford Hospitals that could be considered for housing projects and include a
look at the financial analysis in terms of Municipal contribution to financing these
proj ects.
2) Council workshops in the coming weeks and months focused around vacant CBRM
buildings for Affordable Housing.
3) Suggestion that a Council Colleague may want to bring a Resolution to the next
Council meeting to write to the Provincial and Federal counterparts to recognize
that affordable housing is a fundamental human right, and ask the Clerk to add the
issue on the agenda.
Continued...
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November 22, 2021 Approved February 8, 2022 10 of 10
Review of Action Items from the Meeting (Cont'd):
4) A Housing Task Force—formulate community consultation i.e. survey, series of
community-based meetings.
(Note: referred to the Community Consultation Coordinator, Mike Targett)
5) Jurisdictional and national scan on what other Municipalities are doing in terms of
Advisory Committees and Task Forces.
(Note:for Mike Targett, Community Consultation Coordinator)
6) Ask a member of Council to bring a Resolution to the next Council meeting in
regard to student housing.
7) Share with Council the information and resources from the most recent poverty
conference held locally.
Meeting adiourned at 4:17 p.m.
Mayor Amanda M. McDougall Deborah Campbell Ryan
/tcn Municipal Clerk