HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Minutes September 26, 2023 CAPE BRETON REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY
Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday,
September 26, 2023
9:30 a.m.
Council Chambers
2°d Floor, City Hall
320 Esplanade, Sydney, NS
Mayor Amanda M. McDougall-Merrill called the meeting to order.
Council: Mayor Amanda M. McDougall-Merrill
Councillor Steve Gillespie
Councillor Eldon MacDonald
Councillor Glenn Paruch
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
John MacKinnon, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer/Director of Technology
Wayne MacDonald, Director of Engineering &Public Works
Michael Ruus, Director of Planning & Development
Chris March, Deputy Fire Chief
Kirk Durning,Director of Recreation,Parks&Grounds,and Buildings&Facilities
Karen Neville, Senior Planner
Bruce MacDonald, Manager EMO
Sheila Kolanko, Property Manager
Sharon MacSween, Senior Administrative Assistant
Kelly McDonald, Recording Secretary
Absent: Councillor Gordon MacDonald(Regrets)
Councillor Earlene MacMullin (Regrets)
Councillor Cyril MacDonald (Regrets)
Councillor Steve Parsons (Regrets)
Council Meeting- Minutes
September 26,2023 Approved December 12, 2023 2 of 9
Summary of Decisions
Land Acknowledgement
Roll Call
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1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
Motion to approve the September 26, 2023, Council Agenda as circulated. Carried.
2. PROCLAMATIONS:
2.1 Cadet Day:
Motion to proclaim Saturday, October 7th, 2023, as Cadet Day in the Cape Breton
Regional Municipality. Carried.
2.2 Medic Monday:
Motion to proclaim Monday, September 25h,2023,as MEDIC MONDAY in the CBRM
in appreciation for everything our paramedics do. Carried.
2.3 Fire Prevention Week:
Motion to proclaim October 8th to 14th, 2023 as Fire Prevention Week throughout the
Cape Breton Regional Municipality, and to urge all the people of the CBRM to protect
their homes and families by heeding the important safety messages of Fire Prevention
Week 2023, and to support the many public safety activities and efforts of the Cape
Breton Regional Fire and Emergency Services and its members. Carried.
2.4 Wi'kipatmu'k Mi'kmawey/Honourin2 of the Mi'kmaw Way:
Motion that CBRM Mayor Amanda M. McDougall-Merrill and Council encourage all
residents to wear orange to honour the thousands of Survivors of residential schools,
honour Treaty Day and celebrate the educational journey of Mi'lanaq History month
throughout October and every month in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality. Carried.
Continued...
Council Meeting- Minutes
September 26,2023 Approved December 12, 2023 3 of 9
Summary of Decisions (Conti
3. CORPORATE SERVICES ISSUES:
3.1 PID 15126667,Welton/Gorman Street, Sydney(Former Welton Street
Ballfield Property) District#12:
a) 25 Gorman Street, Sydney-Presentation:
b) Staff Issue Paper:
Motion for Council to support the sale of the surplus property to the applicant for Fair
Market Value in the amount of $320,000 for their proposed housing development
pursuant to the Municipal Government Act and Property Management Policies.
Carried.
4. PROTECTIVE SERVICE ISSUE:
4.1 Future of NS-EMO EMPO Position in CBRM/Re2ion 1:
Motion for Council to support to send a letter seeking commitment from NSEMO to fill
the Region 1 EMPO position prior to becoming vacant at the beginning of next year, and
for that position to be situated within the CBRM. Carried.
5. BY-LAWS & MOTIONS:
5.1 By-laws:
a) First Reading:
i) CBRM Fee Policy: Planning, Development, and Building:
Motion for Council to direct staff to bring the CBRM Fee Policy: Planning, Development,
and Building to an upcoming Council meeting for their consideration along with the repeal
of the CBRM Fees to Process Land Use Bylaw Amendments Policy. Carried.
Motion for Council to give First Reading of the proposed amendments to the Building By-
law found in Attachment H and schedule a Public Hearing for an upcoming meeting of
Council. Carried.
b) Second/Final Reading: N/A
Continued...
Council Meeting- Minutes
September 26,2023 Approved December 12, 2023 4 of 9
Summary of Decisions (Cont'd):
6. PLANNING ISSUE:
6.1 Appointment of New Development Officer:
Motion for Council to appoint Peter Vandermeulen as a Development Officer for CBRM.
Carried.
7. COMMITTEE REPORTS:
N/A
8. Review of Action Items from this Meeting:
Mayor Amanda M. McDougall-Merrill reviewed her list of action items from the meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
Council Meeting- Minutes
September 26,2023 Approved December 12, 2023 5 of 9
Land Acknowledgement
Roll Call
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1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
Motion:
Moved by Councillor Green, seconded by Councillor O'Quinn, to approve the September
26, 2023, Council Agenda as circulated.
Motion Carried.
2. PROCLAMATIONS:
2.1 Cadet Day:
Motion:
Moved by Councillor Eldon MacDonald, seconded by Councillor Paruch,that the CBRM
Mayor Amanda M. McDougall-Merrill and CBRM Council proclaim Saturday, October
7th, 2023 as Cadet Day in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality.
Motion Carried.
2.2 Medic Monday:
Motion:
Moved by Deputy Mayor Edwards, seconded by Councillor Tracey, that CBRM Mayor
Amanda M. McDougall and Council proclaim Monday, September 25h, 2023, as MEDIC
MONDAY in the CBRM in appreciation for everything our paramedics do.
Motion Carried.
2.3 Fire Prevention Week:
Motion:
Moved by Deputy Mayor Edwards, seconded by Councillor Tracey,that Mayor Amanda
M. McDougall-Merrill and Council proclaim October 8th to 14th, 2023 as Fire Prevention
Week throughout the Cape Breton Regional Municipality, and to urge all the people of
the CBRM to protect their homes and families by heeding the important safety messages
of Fire Prevention Week 2023, and to support the many public safety activities and
efforts of the Cape Breton Regional Fire and Emergency Services and its members.
Motion Carried.
Continued...
Council Meeting- Minutes
September 26,2023 Approved December 12, 2023 6 of 9
PROCLAMATIONS (Cont'd):
2.4 Wi'kipatmu'k Mi'kmawey/Honouring of the Mi'kmaw Way:
Motion:
Moved by Councillor Green, seconded by Deputy Mayor Edwards, that the Mayor
Amanda M. McDougall-Merrill and Council encourage all residents to wear orange to
honour the thousands of Survivors of residential schools, honour Treaty Day and
celebrate the educational journey of Mi'lanaq History month throughout October and
every month in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality.
Motion Carried.
3. CORPORATE SERVICES ISSUES:
3.1 PID 15126667,Welton/Gorman Street, Sydney (Former Welton Street
Ballfield Property) District#12:
a) 25 Gorman Street, Sydney- Presentation:
Greg Nelson, co-partner with Harrison Jay Investment, provided a presentation
beginning with introducing himself and provided professional backgrounds of himself
and his business partner, Matthew Jacobs. Further, Mr. Nelson's presentation included
topics including the CBRM housing situation, the Cape Breton University context, the
proposal, the solution, additional benefits, and why this company chose to develop in
Sydney, Nova Scotia. Mr. Nelson provided examples of previous developments
completed and informed of desirable development plans to keep the rental prices of the
units as affordable as possible.
b) Staff Issue Paper:
Sheila Kolanko, Property Manager, reviewed the Issue Paper in the agenda package,
advised upon review and consideration of the development proposal, and recommended
consideration. The following motion was then put forward:
Continued...
Council Meeting- Minutes
September 26,2023 Approved December 12, 2023 7 of 9
CORPORATE SERVICES ISSUES: PID 15126667,Welton/Gorman Street,Sydney
(Former Welton Street Ballfield Property) District#12 (Cont'd):
Motion:
Moved by Councillor Green, seconded by Deputy Mayor Edwards, to sell the surplus
property PID 15126667 outlined in the staff Issue Paper dated September 26, 2023, to the
applicant for Fair Market Value in the amount of $320,000 for their proposed housing
development pursuant to the Municipal Government Act and Property Management
Policies.
Discussion:
• Relocation of Provincial air quality monitor and structure that is currently on the
property
• Property Management Policy
• Green space
• CBRM surplus land on Vulcan Avenue
Motion Carried.
4. PROTECTIVE SERVICE ISSUE:
4.1 Future of NS-EMO EMPO Position in CBRM/Re2ion 1:
Bruce MacDonald, Manager of Emergency Management, reviewed the Issue Paper in the
agenda package. The following motion was then put forward:
Motion:
Moved by Councillor Bruckschwaiger, seconded by Deputy Mayor Edwards, to send a
letter seeking commitment from NS-EMO to fill the Region 1 EMPO position prior to
becoming vacant at the beginning of next year, and for that position to be situated within
the CBRM.
Discussion:
• Lack of Provincial Departments in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality
• No consultation with CBRM regarding changes in job descriptions
• History of environmental disasters in the CBRM
• Provincial Region's area coverage
• Value of EMPO positions
• Isolation of Cape Breton Island during Causeway closures
• Include the five Municipalities and First Nation Communities on the letter
• Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities
Motion Carried.
Continued...
Council Meeting- Minutes
September 26,2023 Approved December 12, 2023 8 of 9
5. BY-LAWS & MOTIONS:
5.1 By-laws:
a) First Reading:
i) CBRM Fee Policy: Planning, Development, and Building:
Karen Neville, Senior Planner, reviewed the Issue Paper in the agenda package. The
following motions were then put forward:
Motion:
Moved by Councillor Bruckschwaiger, seconded by Councillor Tracey, to direct staff to
bring the CBRM Fee Policy: Planning, Development, and Building to an upcoming
Council meeting for their consideration along with the repeal of the CBRM Fees to Process
Land Use Bylaw amendments, Development Agreements, and Municipal Planning
Strategy Amendments Policy.
Discussion:
During discussion, cost recovery and existing fees were discussed.
Motion Carried.
Motion:
Moved by Councillor Paruch, seconded by Deputy Mayor Edwards, approval of First
Reading of the proposed amendments to the Building By-law found in Attachment H of
the staff report dated September 18, 2023, and schedule a Public Hearing for an upcoming
meeting of Council.
Motion Carried.
b) Second/Final Reading:
6. PLANNING ISSUE:
6.1 Appointment of New Development Officer:
Michael Ruus, Director of Planning & Development, reviewed the Issue Paper in the
agenda package. The following motion was then put forward:
Motion:
Moved by Councillor Eldon MacDonald, seconded by Councillor Tracey, to appoint Peter
Vandermeulen as a Development Officer for CBRM in accordance with Section 243 of the
Municipal Government Act.
Motion Carried
Continued...
Council Meeting- Minutes
September 26,2023 Approved December 12, 2023 9 of 9
7. COMMITTEE REPORTS:
N/A
8. Review of Action Items from this Meeting:
At the conclusion of the meeting, Mayor Amanda M. McDougall-Merrill reviewed her list
of action items from the meeting which included the following:
1. A letter to be sent to EHS requesting more services be brought to the Cape Breton
Regional Municipality and for EHS to recognize the impact on CBRM Fire
Services, particularly the volunteers. Data from Fire Services is required to
accompany the letter.
2. Letter to EMO regarding the Region 1 EMPO position, and request details on all
positions including coverage, roles, and particularities.
Meeting adiourned at 11:04 a.m.
Mayor Amanda M. McDougall-Merrill Christa Dicks
Mayor Municipal Clerk
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