HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Minutes - November 22, 2022 CAPE BRETON REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY
Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday,
November 22, 2022
9:40 a.m.
Council Chambers
2nd Floor, City Hall
320 Esplanade, Sydney, NS
Deputy Mayor James Edwards called the meeting to order.
Council: Deputy Mayor James Edwards (Chair)
Councillor Gordon MacDonald
Councillor Earlene MacMullin
Councillor Cyril MacDonald
Councillor Steve Gillespie
Councillor Eldon MacDonald
Councillor Glenn Paruch
Councillor Steve Parsons
Councillor Ken Tracey
Councillor Darren Bruckschwaiger
Councillor Darren O'Quinn
Councillor Lorne Green
Staff. Marie Walsh, Chief Administrative Officer
John MacKinnon, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer
Jennifer Campbell, Chief Financial Officer
Deborah Campbell Ryan, Municipal Clerk
Demetri Kachafanas, KC, Regional Solicitor
Wayne MacDonald, Director of Engineering &Public Works
Michael Ruus, Director of Planning & Development
Kirk Durning, Director of Recreation, Parks & Grounds, &Buildings & Facilities
Deanna Evely, Director of Human Resources
Bruce MacDonald, Manager of Emergency Management
Christina Lamey, Communications and Information Officer
Sharon MacSween, Senior Administrative Assistant
Angela Ross, Recording Secretary
Absent: Mayor Amanda M. McDougall (Regrets)
Council Meeting- Minutes
November 22, 2022 Approved January 17, 2023 2 of 7
Council met In Camera November 15d'2022 and earlier this date, pursuant to Section 22
(d) of the Municipal Government Act.
Summary of Decisions
Land Acknowledgement
Roll Call
O' Canada
1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
Motion to approve the November 22nd, 2022, Council Agenda as circulated.
2. PROCLAMATIONS:
2.1 National Housing Day- 2022:
Motion that CBRM Mayor Amanda M. McDougall and Council proclaim November 22nd
2022 as National Housing Day; as a reminder to all Nova Scotians that access to safe,
sustainable and equitable housing affects our collective mental health; and to have a
mentally healthy community we must work together to ensure every member of our
community has a place to call home. Carried.
2.2 United Way Cape Breton Giving Tuesday:
Motion that CBRM Mayor Amanda M. McDougall and Council recognize November 291h
2022, as GivingTuesday in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality. Carried.
2.3 Proiect Red Ribbon Launch- 2022:
Motion that CBRM Mayor Amanda M. McDougall and Council proclaim the launch
of MADD Cape Breton's Project Red Ribbon in the Cape Breton Regional
Municipality. Carried.
2.4 National Campaign for Domestic Economic Abuse Awareness Day
2022:
Motion that CBRM Mayor Amanda M. McDougall and Council proclaim November
26d' of each year as "Domestic Economic Abuse Awareness Day" in the Cape Breton
Regional Municipality. Carried.
Continued...
Council Meeting- Minutes
November 22, 2022 Approved January 17, 2023 3 of 7
PROCLAMATIONS (Cont'd):
2.5 James Delorey Day - 2022:
Motion that CBRM Mayor Amanda M. McDougall and Council declare December 3rd
2022, as James Delorey Day in the CBRM. Carried.
3. DELEGATION:
3.1 Marketing Levy:
Motion to approve the request by Destination Cape Breton to amend the following
amendments to the CBRM Marketing Levy By-law:
• increase rate to 3%
• remove 10 rooms or more threshold and adopt Tourist Accommodation
Registration Act definition of fixed-roof accommodations
• start date of January 1, 2024
Carried.
4. BUSINESS ARISING:
4.1 In Camera Council Meeting—November 22, 2022:
a) Ratification of Tentative Agreement - CUPE Local 933 (Inside
Bar2ainin2 Unit):
Motion to approve the tentative Collective Agreement for CUPE Local 933 which covers
a four-year term ending October 31, 2025, as presented. Carried.
5. COUNCILLOR AGENDA REQUEST:
5.1 Comfort Centers
Motion that staff be directed to provide an Issue Paper to determine the feasibility of
designating community fire halls,professional and volunteer, as emergency comfort
centers. Carried.
6. COMMITTEE REPORTS:
N/A
ADJOURNMENT
Council Meeting- Minutes
November 22, 2022 Approved January 17, 2023 4 of 7
Council met In Camera November 15d'2022, and earlier this date,pursuant to Section 22
(2) (d) of the Municipal Government Act.
Land Acknowledtement
Roll Call
O' Canada
1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
Motion:
Moved by Councillor Parsons, seconded by Councillor Cyril MacDonald, to approve the
November 22nd, 2022, Council Agenda as circulated.
Motion Carried.
2. PROCLAMATIONS:
2.1 National Housing Day—2022:
Motion:
Moved by Councillor Paruch, seconded by Councillor Green, that CBRM Mayor Amanda
M. McDougall and Council proclaim November 22nd, 2022 as National Housing Day; as a
reminder to all Nova Scotians that access to safe, sustainable and equitable housing affects
our collective mental health; and to have a mentally healthy community we must work
together to ensure every member of our community has a place to call home.
Motion Carried.
2.2 United Way Cape Breton Giving Tuesday:
Motion:
Moved by Councillor Gillespie, seconded by Councillor Eldon MacDonald, that CBRM
Mayor Amanda M. McDougall and Council recognize November 29h, 2022, as
GivingTuesday in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality.
Motion Carried.
2.3 Proiect Red Ribbon Launch- 2022:
Motion:
Moved by Councillor Gillespie, seconded by Councillor Eldon MacDonald, that CBRM
Mayor Amanda M. McDougall and Council proclaim the launch of MADD Cape Breton's
Project Red Ribbon in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality.
Motion Carried.
Continued....
Council Meeting- Minutes
November 22, 2022 Approved January 17, 2023 5 of 7
PROCLAMATIONS (cont'd):
2.4 National Campaign for Domestic Economic Abuse Awareness Day—2022:
Motion:
Moved by Councillor MacMullin, seconded by Councillor O'Quinn, that CBRM Mayor
Amanda M. McDougall and Council proclaim November 26h of each year as "Domestic
Economic Abuse Awareness Day" in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality.
Motion Carried.
2.5 James Delorey Day - 2022:
Motion:
Moved by Councillor Green, seconded by Councillor O'Quinn, that CBRM Mayor
Amanda M. McDougall and Council declare December 3rd, 2022, as James Delorey Day
in the CBRM.
Motion Carried.
3. DELEGATION:
3.1 Marketing Levy:
Terry Smith, CEO -Destination Cape Breton,provided a Power Point presentation on the
Cape Breton Island Marketing Levy as outlined in the agenda package. He recommended
amendments to the CBRM Marketing Levy By-Law to increase the rate to 3%; remove
10 rooms or more threshold, and to adopt the Tourist Accommodation Registration Act
definition of fixed-roof accommodations, with a start date of January 1, 2024.
After the presentation, Council discussed Airbnb regulations and possible exceptions to
payment of the Levy for emergency stays under 30 days.
Motion:
Moved by Councillor Gordon MacDonald, seconded by Councillor Green, to approve the
request by Destination Cape Breton to amend the CBRM Marketing Levy By-law as
follows:
• increase rate to 3%
• remove 10 rooms or more threshold and adopt Tourist Accommodation
Registration Act definition of fixed-roof accommodations
• start date of January 1, 2024.
Continued...
Council Meeting- Minutes
November 22, 2022 Approved January 17, 2023 6 of 7
DELEGATION-Marketing Levy(Cont'd):
Motion (Cont'd):
Discussion:
During discussion, some Councillors shared their views on the issue including the
following:
• Proposed use of incremental funds;
• Destination Cape Breton's consultation with CBRM staff regarding the levy;
• The allocation of funds dedicated to CBRM events;
• Exemptions to the levy;
• Changes to the legislation received Royal Assent on November 9, 2022.
• By-law must be updated by November 9, 2023 to align with legislation.
Following discussion, the Deputy Mayor called for the vote.
Motion Carried.
4. BUSINESS ARISING:
4.1 In Camera Council Meeting—November 22, 2022:
a) Update on Contract Negotiations with LUPE Local 933 (Inside
Bargaining Unit):
Deanna Evely, Director of Human Resources, provided background information on the
issue and recommended that Council pass a motion to approve the tentative Collective
Agreement for CUPE Local 933 which covers a four-year term ending October 31, 2025.
Motion:
Moved by Councillor Green, seconded by Councillor Paruch, to approve the tentative
Collective Agreement for CUPE Local 933 which covers a four-year term ending October
31, 2025, as presented.
Motion Carried.
Council Meeting- Minutes
November 22, 2022 Approved January 17, 2023 7 of 7
5. COUNCILLOR AGENDA REQUEST:
At this point in the meeting, Councillor MacMullin assumed the Chair to allow Deputy
Mayor Edwards to bring forward his issue on the agenda.
5.1 Comfort Centers:
Deputy Mayor James Edwards reviewed his Request Form in the agenda package and
requested an Issue Paper to determine the feasibility of designating community fire halls,
professional and volunteer, as emergency comfort centers.
Motion:
Moved by Deputy Mayor Edwards, seconded by Councillor Cyril MacDonald, that staff
be directed to provide an Issue Paper to determine the feasibility of designating community
fire halls,professional and volunteer, as emergency comfort centers.
Discussion:
During the discussion, some Councillors expressed their opinions which included:
-the number of comfort centers required for each district;
-the radius/population coverage for each comfort center;
- consult with volunteer fire departments to determine if they want to be a designated
comfort center;
- consider including community centers as well as fire departments.
In response to a question,the Chief Administrative Officer advised that the CBRM Website
could be formatted to allow residents to provide input on the names of individual volunteers
and community groups that helped during Hurricane Fiona so they can be included in any
event that may be planned for those who assisted CBRM with that storm.
After discussion, the Chair called for the vote.
Motion Carried.
Deputy Mayor Edwards resumed the Chair.
6. COMMITTEE REPORTS:
N/A
Meeting adiourned at 11:17 a.m.
Deputy Mayor James Edwards Deborah Campbell Ryan
Chair Municipal Clerk