What Odds at City Hall: 10 April 2023

Absent from today’s meeting were Cllrs Ron Ellsworth, Debbie Hanlon and Jamie Korab.

As it’s still National Poetry Month, Monday’s regular council meeting kicked off with a reading by poet Travis House. He was introduced by Wendy Rose from Writers NL.

First up, Council voted to approve the revised landscape plan at 18 International Place with a combination of fence slats and plantings to provide screening.

“In 2019, Council approved a text amendment to allow a vehicle storage yard at 18 International Place,” said Cllr Jill Bruce. “As part of the approval, Council required screening between the storage yard and the adjacent walking trail, and later approved the use of winged fence slats, which were installed on the existing chain link fence by the developer in 2019.”

“Since the installation of the slats, they cannot sustain high wind loads and were damaged during events, leaving gaps in sections of the fence where slats blew off,” she added. “The city notified the developer that the fence needed to be repaired to provide screening as per Council’s directive.”

“The developer installed a narrower type of slat in the gaps instead of the wide winged slat,” she continued. “Staff inspected the work and noted that it did not provide sufficient screening. The developer informed the city that the wide slats were no longer available and suggested additional plantings to their landscaping requirements in select areas to supplement the narrow slats. The developer coordinated the design with staff from our Park division, who are now satisfied that the fence with both the slats and plantings will provide adequate screening as directed by Council.”

With the background out of the way, Cllr Bruce had two questions for Deputy City Manager of Planning, Engineering & Regulatory Services Jason Sinyard. First off: will the slats be maintained? He said yes, and they will also be checked on.

Her second question was regarding the landscape plan and the heights of the trees. He answered they’re satisfied that the trees will get the height needed to screen the storage yard.

Then, Council signed off on the re-established building line setback for 120 Cowan Avenue at 5.3 metres to accommodate a covered porch extension.

Sign, Sign, Everywhere A Sign

Council approved three wall signs and associated awnings at the old Majestic Theatre, located at 390 Duckworth Street.

A registered Heritage Building, Terra Bruce Productions is in the process of fixing the spot up.

According to documents included in the agenda, local company Leaman Signs designed the signage.

Tender

Two companies—Saunders Equipment ($74,279.10) and S&S Supply LTD. ($37,605.12)—were awarded a contract to supply and deliver Sweeper Parts for the Fleet division to be used on an as required basis.

Cllr Sandy Hickman announced that at the next regular meeting of the St. John’s Municipal Council he will move to amend The Commercial Maintenance By-Law of the City of St. John’s so as to update the provisions related to garbage receptacles and to incorporate provisions related to Parklets.

Pay Bump

Some city employees are getting a pay bump after the Council voted to approve applying the April 1 minimum wage increase—as well as future minimum wage increases—to the hourly rates of casual, non-union positions.

These jobs include head lifeguard (who will make $18.80 per hour), inclusion counsellor ($16.80), to litter collector ($15.80 per hour), among others. You can see the full list on page 45 of the agenda.

On the first of the month, NL’s minimum wage went up by 80 cents to $14.50 per hour.

Deputy Mayor Sheilagh O’Leary thanked Derek Coffey and staff, as well as Cllr Ellsworth, for their work on this issue to ensure the city is on par and ensures a liveable wage.

The Go Round

Deputy Mayor O’Leary said that as the snow recedes, we’re going to start seeing litter, so she encouraged people to reach out to Clean St. John’s to book either an individual or group organized clean-up of your neighbourhood.

She also brought up vacant properties in decrepit states, particularly noticeable in the downtown core, and asked the city solicitor Linda Bishop for an update regarding an update to the City of St. John’s Act.

Bishop explained that as she hasn’t seen a draft from the province—remember, the city wants to update their historic City of St. John’s Act to give them more powers—so she can’t say if they will get more tools to deal with issues like dilapidated properties.

Next up, Cllr Maggie Burton wished all the kids a good break from school.

Cllr Hickman also had some much anticipated news: the overnight winter parking restrictions for outside the designated downtown and business district and Business District winter parking restrictions in the downtown have been lifted!

As well, he brought up the Watermain Lining Work in the Churchill Square area which will start on April 24 and is expected to wrap in August.

Cllr Carl Ridgeley—in Cllr Korab’s absence—congratulated Team Gushue for its Silver medal at the Mens’ World Championship in Ottawa, even though it’s not the medal they wanted.

He also said goodbye to Growlers captain James Melindy, who retired last night, as they’re losing “a great captain and friend and a big asset to their team.”

And finally, he wished families travelling across the province during the break safe travels.