Highlighted below are a few recent decisions by Regional Council that reflect steps being taken by the municipality to make a difference in the Halifax region. For more details regarding all matters deliberated by Council and the direction given to municipal staff, please see the action summaries which are posted to the online meeting agendas within one business day as well as the meeting minutes which are posted online once approved by Regional Council.
Highlights from Tuesday, April 20, 2021
Removal of Four-hour Cap and Parking Zone Rate Changes
Administrative Order 15, Respecting License, Permit and Processing Fees, will be amended to set hourly parking rates that reflect actual time of day demand, remove the four-hour per zone daily maximum, and create an additional commuter parking zone 15.
Beginning June 1, 2021, there will be new rates by zone, depending on the time of day.
In October 2020, the municipality launched the Integrated Parking Technology Solution, a
modern software-as-a-service system that manages all aspects of Parking Services, including permitting, enforcement and paid parking.
The amendments are based on feedback from residents and a request from the business districts, following the launch of the new Parking Technology.
To learn more, read the report.
*Note: this motion will be final when the meeting minutes are approved by Regional Council.
*Note: this item has been passed and amended as follows:
That Halifax Regional Council:
- Adopt the Amending Administrative Order, amending Administrative Order 15, Respecting License, Permit and Processing Fees as set out in Attachment B of the staff report dated April 9, 2021 in order to:
a. Set hourly parking rates that reflect actual time-of day demand based on data collected from the recently adopted Integrated Parking Technology project;
b. Remove the four hour per zone daily maximum; and
c. Create an additional commuter parking zone 15 as set out in Attachment C of the staff report dated April 9, 2021 and a housekeeping amendment; and
2. Request a staff report with recommendations and financial impacts for investing in projects to promote parking in areas with on street paid parking, including but not limited to via variable message signs at gateways to commercial areas and in the ROW at parking entrances, as well as a trial period of three to six months where the municipality may:
a. pay users Hotspot fees to encourage app use
b. provide a measure for free parking on Thursday and/or Friday while continuing to support the goals of the parking management policy
c. partner with Business Improvement Districts to provide funding to enable flexible free parking strategies for and definition of special events as a part of larger, BID lead marketing strategy.
Heritage Incentives Program
Based on the Heritage Advisory Committee’s recommendation, the proposed grants to the Heritage properties have been approved.
The Heritage Property Program supports the conservation, preservation and restoration of municipally registered heritage properties located throughout the municipality. One of the tools that the Program uses to achieve these goals is annual grant funding through the Heritage Incentives Program.
The Heritage Incentives Program provides matching grants for eligible exterior conservation work, up to a maximum of $15,000 for residential properties and a maximum of $25,000 for commercial properties.
To learn more, read the report.
*Note: this motion will be final when the meeting minutes are approved by Regional Council.
New Access Point to the Silver Sands Beach
Based on Harbour East – Marine Drive Community Council’s recommendation, the municipality will explore the purchase of lands for an improved, or alternative access, to Silver Sands Beach.
Silver Sands Beach is a municipal park in the community of Cow Bay that includes a beach and a parking lot.
The beach and parking lot are joined by a path across a private residential property, under the terms of an easement. Over many decades, extensive excavation and erosion has occurred, which has significantly impacted the path to the beach.
Depending on the outcome of the potential purchase of additional lands, the existing easement may need to be adjusted, or may no longer be required. Decisions on the future use of the existing easement may also be explored.
To learn more, read the report.
*Note: this motion will be final when the meeting minutes are approved by Regional Council.
Expanded 2021-2022 Student Transit Pass Pilot Program
Based on the Transportation Standing Committee’s recommendation, the phased Student Transit Pass Pilot Program has been approved, with Pilot Phase 1 expanded to include all students in four schools in grades nine through 12. The four schools include Dartmouth High School, Prince Andrew High School, École Mosaïque and École du Sommet.
The aim of this program is to increase transit ridership for school trips, extracurricular activities, and other activities. In the long term, these students are more likely to build sustainable transportation habits.
To learn more, read the report.
*Note: this motion will be final when the meeting minutes are approved by Regional Council.
Respecting Marketing Levy Special Event Reserve Grants
Amendments have been adopted to the Administrative Order 2014-020-GOV, Respecting Marketing Levy Special Event Reserve Grants, to provide up to five consecutive years of sustainable funding to the New or Emerging Event grant. Previously, it was three years.
This will help to attract and host exceptional sporting and tourism events that create significant economic impacts, promoting Halifax as a top event destination and attract tourism.
A New or Emerging Event is an event that has been held in Halifax for the first time within the past five years, or strongly demonstrates a recent change or growth.
To learn more, read the report.
*Note: this motion will be final when the meeting minutes are approved by Regional Council.
Long Term Support for the Mobile Food Market
Since 2016, the municipality has been a founding partner and champion of the Mobile Food Market (MFM), which brings healthy and affordable food to communities with food access issues.
The continuation of annual funding of $75,000 to the Mobile Food Market, for three years from 2022/ 23 to 2024/ 25, has been approved. Additionally, the continued support for the Mobile Food Market through in-kind contributions, for four years from 2021/ 22 to 2024/ 25, has also been approved.
This stable funding will permit the hiring of a dedicated staff member to manage the strategic development of the MFM to strengthen its sustainability and resilience.
To learn more, read the report.
*Note: this motion will be final when the meeting minutes are approved by Regional Council
Review of Enforcement Delivery and Role of Police Agencies in the municipality
The approach as outlined in the staff report for the review of enforcement delivery and role of police agencies in the municipality has been approved.
During the Aug. 17, 2020 Board of Police Commissioners special meeting, the Chief Administrative Officer was directed to outline a process and timeline for a broad review of policing and public safety, to examine the potential for shifting or creating programs for civilian delivery of non-core police functions.
This review should include, but not be limited to, traffic enforcement, public safety, community standards, mental health, and municipal enforcement functions, as well as a plan for engaging with the public, stakeholders, subject matter experts and, subject to their agreement, participation of the Board of Police Commissioners.
The proposed approach can be found in the report.
*Note: this motion will be final when the meeting minutes are approved by Regional Council.
Highlights of recent Regional Council decisions
Amendments to By-law S-600: Illegal Dumping and Litter Abatement
By-law S-612 has been adopted, amending By-law S-600, Respecting Solid Waste Resource Collection and Disposal, to increase compliance enforcement of illegal dumping in communities across the Halifax Region.
Illegal dumping and litter happen when waste materials such as garbage, recyclables, and construction debris are improperly discarded. This is problematic as they impact the environment, property values, public safety and general quality of life.
In April of 2020, staff presented a report to Regional Council on Penalties for Illegal Dumping. This report outlined opportunities to enhance the municipality’s response to illegal dumping.
By-law S-600 outlines guidelines for preparation and collection of solid waste from the residential and commercial sectors. The previous standards prevented many offenders from being held accountable.
The goals of the proposed amendments are to place the municipality in a leadership role to address an issue of concern for residents and businesses, reduce the burden on victims by holding more offenders accountable to remedy and clean-up, and to heighten the profile of enforcement activities to deter future violations.
To learn more, read the staff report.
*Note: this motion will be final when the meeting minutes are approved by Regional Council.
