A Mace at the Table

At the risk of showing my age (and my lapse in civic engagement) the last time I actually tuned in to a St. John’s city council meeting, it was by way of television broadcast on Cable 9. Back in those days, council meetings seemed much longer, and there was a lot more shouting. 

If yesterday’s first meeting after a decades-long break is any indication, now council proceedings are shorter and sweeter. I don’t expect they’ll always be like that, of course, but I’m willing to stick around to find out–at least for a little while. 

That’s right, I’m giving this city hall beat a try. I won’t compete with Elizabeth Whitten’s What Odds at City Hall, or Hope Jamieson’s So Moved, or Emily Deming’s Notes from the Rafters, but I know I’m in good company. When it comes to municipal goings on, I have a lot to learn, and I’m hoping to get better as I go. For now, I’m willing to pay attention to the details so you don’t have to!     

I love cities, and I’m especially fond of St. John’s. I’m actually a firm believer in civic engagement too, but it’s hard to put that into practice. At my day job, I spend a lot of my time sitting in a windowless office within cinder block walls; otherwise, I’m commuting by car. It’s all too easy to forget where I am when I’m not walking in the thick of city streets everyday.  

This column is my attempt to develop a practice of attention to this city, and the municipal politics that help make it.  

“Cities have the capability of providing something for everybody, only because, and only when, they are created by everybody,” Jane Jacobs famously wrote in the Death and Life of American Cities. She means that we all have to play a part in creating and sustaining the communities we live in, and we can do it in big ways, but also small ones, like saying, “hello, beautiful evening!” to a stranger in passing, or by renting a port-a-potty to service the people who are living in tents in our city’s parks.

The Mace in the Room 

The council recordings have come a long way since the days of yore. I wouldn’t say the videography is stylish exactly, but it’s visually interesting, like a game show. It even tallies and displays votes, and posts summary results in real time. What a time to be alive.

I watched the meeting via livestream on the city’s website. When I opened the video, all I saw was the mayor’s empty chair positioned in the middle of the frame, and what I heard were barely audible voices murmuring somewhere offscreen. 

I thought for a moment that I’d made a mistake, that somehow I showed up at the end and completely missed the meeting—but I didn’t. After 20 seconds a loud bell rang, a Pavlovian call to order I haven’t heard since high school. It immediately cut through the din. Then, an unseen voice boomed over the image and said, “HIS WORSHIP, DANNY BREEN, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF ST. JOHN’S.”  

With portent, I looked at the empty chair and waited for the mayor to appear—but it was the white-gloved man in a suit who caught my eye. He entered the foreground of the frame holding up with both hands a big shiny gold ceremonial mace. 

As he laid it on the podium, I hardly noticed the mayor entering in the background, taking his seat. 

A ceremonial mace is not really that unusual, I suppose; it’s frequently found in official government, military, and university proceedings. I don’t know what it was about it that I found so jarring; maybe it was just the fact that it’s a medieval battle weapon in plain sight, and no one is talking about it. 

Traditionally, the mace-bearer, I later learned, was a kind of bodyguard. The so-called  “sergeant-in-arms” is literally the servant or keeper of arms; it’s his duty in official proceedings to help maintain decorum and order. If I’m going to keep covering the council meetings, I suppose I’ll have to learn to live with the mace in the room.

As the regular city council meeting got underway, all hands were present, except Deputy Mayor Sheilagh O’Leary and Cllr Ophelia Ravencroft, while Cllr Jamie Korab joined remotely.  

National Child Day

Mayor Breen proclaimed November 20, 2023 as National Child Day in the city, marking it as an occasion to celebrate and reaffirm a commitment to the rights of children everywhere to live happy, healthy lives so that each child may reach their full potential.  

This day resonates in light of the recent activities from the so-called “parent’s rights movement.” Barely two months ago, a small contingent of protesters gathered at Confederation Building in St. John’s, insisting that parental rights take precedence over children’s. This clash of competing interests wasn’t mentioned at the council meeting, but the day seems like an obvious invitation to reflect on it. And more importantly, to reaffirm the inviolability of children’s rights when those rights are called into question.  

The City is hosting a number of activities at community centres all week long in honour of the day—and leading up to it—such as its annual Meet the Mayor contest for elementary school students. 

Meet the Mayor

This year’s contest winners were present at Tuesday’s council meeting, accompanied by staff from the City’s recreation division. Each student was invited to the podium pose a question to the mayor. 

“What are some of the things you are most proud of doing since you have become mayor?” Beth Rogers, a Grade 6 student from Roncalli Elementary, asked him. Breen was quick to emphasize that the things he does are truly the result of a team effort, gesturing to the council members and staff.  

He gave Rogers the answers he probably thought she’d want to hear: he listed the new recreation center and playground near Mundy Pond, the playground in Galway Estates, the City’s climate change plan, and the summer games in 2025 as highlights. 

Someone else from the council chimed in from the back (I couldn’t identify who), and suggested the new pump track for bikes in Pleasantville, as well as the pedestrian mall. Breen asked Rogers if she ever went to the pedestrian mall and if she liked it. She nodded politely, as if she didn’t have the heart to tell him that at 11 years old, hanging out on bar and restaurant patios was not exactly her idea of a good time.  

Then, Brooke Evely, a Grade 4 student from McDonald Drive Elementary, approached the microphone, which was several inches too high. Standing on her tippy toes, she asked: “Is it hard being the mayor?” 

It prompted laughter from the group. “How much time do you have?” Breen joked in response, adding that while it’s a challenging job, it’s also a privilege. It involves hard work, but he enjoys it.  

National Housing Day

Breen proclaimed November 22, 2023 National Housing Day, alongside Judy Tobin, Mark Finch, and Sara Tobin from the city’s Housing Division.

Having a safe and secure home is a basic human right, and a key pathway out of poverty, Breen said, reiterating the City’s commitment to ensuring affordable and adequate housing for those who need it. 

The City’s 10-year Affordable Housing Strategy, developed in 2018 and led by the Affordable Housing working group in tandem with all levels of government, the community sector, and private industry, will create solutions across the housing continuum, Breen explained. 

There was no mention of the immediate issue of people living in tents in nearby city parks, where the City has closed public bathroom facilities. This too, felt like another mace in the room.  

“Whereas communities across Canada are experiencing an affordable housing crisis due to systemic affordability issues that are exacerbated by broader economic turbulence. And whereas National Housing Day is meant to raise awareness about housing and homelessness and encourage events designed to focus on the needs of individual communities,” Breen continued. “And whereas this event will work at building capacity across the housing sector so that our community can bring together its resources to respond to the housing supply crisis.” 

Judy Tobin, manager of the city’s housing division, emphasized the importance of committed staff and the strong relationships they have with tenants as an important part of the support the City offers. She announced that a community forum will be held on November 22 and encouraged people to attend.

Cllr Ron Ellsworth added that it’s not just a question of housing either, but of making services and programs available, too. 

Development Applications

The City approved a number of development applications: a request for parking relief at 93E Newtown Rd. (Cllr Ian Froude abstained; he owns the property). Council also approved a request for four parking spaces for staff at an Emergency Shelter at 6 Patrick St.; an accessory building for soccer equipment at 15 Carnell Dr., a draft terms of reference for a revised Land Use Report for a proposed big apartment building at 5-7 Little St.; as well as discretionary use for a family home daycare at 16 Blue Jacket Pl.; a self storage warehouse at 183 Kenmount Rd. where parking relief will be requested; and finally a bed and breakfast with seven rooms and 14 guests at 26 Monkstown Rd.

Regarding the bed and breakfast, Cllr Maggie Burton pointed out that it is not in fact an expansion of capacity. If anything, it’s a small reduction. The previous owners of the bed and breakfast actually had eight rooms, most of which were not declared until now. 

Council also approved the demolition of the vacant 117 Linegar Ave. in Shea Heights, before moving on to the committee reports.

Mixed-Use Building on Harvey Road

Cllr Burton reported that she approved the terms of reference for a mixed-use building at 51 Harvey Rd., which is currently a vacant site. Basement parking will be accessible from Long’s Hill, there will be street level commercial space on Harvey Road, and four residential condominiums above. Once the heritage report is received, it will be rezoned from a commercial mixed zone to an Apartment 1 zone.

Apartment Building on Margaret’s Place

Council has received a proposal for a 60-unit apartment building at 57 Margaret’s Pl. Council agreed to consider redesignating and rezoning the property. Council approved the draft terms of reference, waiting for the Heritage and Land Use Report, after which it will be opened up for public consultation.

Expansion and Connection of City Trails

After public consultations on the safety of cyclists, traffic control matters, and impacts on residents, council approved the upgrade and extension of three shared-use paths:

Security Guarding Services 

Council approved the awarding of $247,801.52 over three years (with a maximum of two one-year extensions) to the Commissionaires for security guarding services for City programs and events. 

Year-Round Litter Collection

Cutting Edge Inc. was awarded a two-year contract for $741,347.50 to collect litter throughout the year near the Robin Hood Waste Management facility. I don’t know what areas that entails exactly, but I do hope they’ll be tackling the fluttering plastic tree forest that graces the east coast trail. 

Major’s Path Roundabout 

Council approved the procurement of engineering services from Harbourside Transportation (9028161 Canada Ltd.) at $231,987 for a roundabout at Portugal Cove Road and Major’s Path/Airport Heights Drive to improve safety and provide crossings to connect the previously mentioned shared use paths. 

City Welcome Centre Lease Extension

Meanwhile, the council approved a two-year extension of their existing lease with Gentara Company Ltd. for the Welcome Centre, located a stone’s throw from city hall, at 348 Water St. for $486,810. 

‘Tis the Season of Road Closures

As a parade of parades fast approaches, council approved road closures for the following events:

The Go Round

In closing, Cllr Ellsworth returned to National Housing Day, reminding everyone of the community forum being held to discuss capacity building in the sector, with the goal of engaging with those concerned about affordable housing. 

Cllr Debbie Hanlon announced the City is hosting a November 28 session for employers on hiring newcomers. The session is co-hosted by the federal Department of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship and the provincial Department of Immigration, Population Growth and Skills, and the Association for New Canadians. Registration can be done via eventbrite. 

She also extended her congratulations to the Lions Club on its 75th anniversary, and the team behind the launch of the Old School Bus, part of the Old School Intergenerational Projects organization, a mobile learning unit which visits seniors homes and daycares—the first of its kind in Canada.

Cllr Jill Bruce reiterated that the City has events scheduled from November 20-26 at various community centers in honour of National Child Day.

She drew the meeting to a close by extending her gratitude and congratulations to the city’s Hindu community for its Diwali celebration at the Hindu Temple last Sunday evening. 

“It’s just a wonderful event. The premise is celebrating good over evil, knowledge over ignorance, and light over darkness. And it’s one of the most welcoming places that I think I’ve ever been. It’s just a beautiful celebration.”