What Odds at City Hall 23 January 2023

Mayor Danny Breen noted that Cllr Maggie Burton was absent from Chambers today, as she is still on maternity leave. As well, he said Cllrs Jill Bruce is out sick and Debbie Hanlon recently had surgery and is recovering.

After last week’s roller coaster, today’s council meeting was smooth sailing, filled mostly with approving tenders for City contracts.

First up, Council ratified the ePoll for open call for Microsoft Dynamics GP, eOne, Mekorma and Paramount Workplace Software Maintenance Renewal to the lowest, and only bidder, meeting specification, BDO Canada LLP, for $85,762.27 per year (HST included).

The contract is for three years, so BDO Canada LLP’s total bid was $257,286.81.

Atlantic Trailer and Equipment Ltd secured a contract to supply and deliver holder parts for the City’s fleet division to be used on an as required basis with a bid of $52,373.25 per year (HST not included).

There was no open call because this company is the sole provider. The contract is for one year with two possible one-year extensions.

For $42,293.81 (HST not included), Bosch Rexroth Canada Corp was awarded the contract to supply and deliver Bosch Rexroth/Compuspread Parts for the fleet division to be used on an as required basis.

As you can tell from the company’s name, there was no open call for this contract because only Bosch Rexroth Canada Corp supplies Bosch Rexroth/Compuspread Parts.

Sole bidder Murray’s Landscape Services Ltd. was awarded the contract to supply and deliver hanging baskets; supply, install, and removal of hanging baskets; as well as supply, install, maintain, and remove hanging and lamp post baskets.

Its bid was $45,743.23 (HST not included) – the cost for one year of service – and the contract duration is two years, plus the possibility of a one-year extension.

Who doesn’t love flowers?

Deputy mayor Sheilagh O’Leary asked where these baskets will be, like in the downtown core? A City staffer said they were for the downtown and wherever the City has these baskets, like City Hall.

Harris Govern – with a bid of $196,031.26 (HST not included)  – was awarded the contract for the annual software maintenance for the Govern software.

There was no open call for this contract.

Moving Motions

Cllr Ron Ellsworth announced that at the next regular meeting he would move a motion to remove the heritage building designation on the long rear extension of the Presentation Convent – 180 Military Road.

Cllr Carl Ridgeley also said at the next regular meeting he would move a motion to remove 375 Waterford Bridge Road from the list of parcels of land identified and approved by Council at the March 8, 2021 meeting as a potential site of affordable housing development.

Cllr Jamie Korab then asked that they waive the week’s notice so it could be discussed now and voted on. However, Cllr Ophelia Ravencroft opposed it, saying this was before Council prior to her time on Council and lead on housing, explaining she needed that additional week.

So this was going to be put to a vote, but then Cllr Korab offered to withdraw his motion in order to give his colleague more time to familiarize herself with the issue.

So that was a moot point and it will be before Council next week, which is something to look forward to!

Nuisance Bylight back, sort of

And if you thought the issue of nuisance lighting was dead, deputy mayor O’Leary revived it by tabling a petition Turning Off The Lights, which called on the City to create a nuisance lighting bylaw.

She read out the petition, starting with; “Citizens of St. John’s have no protection against light trespass. If someone inadvertently or purposefully shines bright lights in your windows or on your property, the City can do nothing about it.”

The petition pointed out many other modern cities have bylaws that cover this issue, including pricey fines. As well, the letter noted there are health issues associated with bright lights that negatively impact humans and animals.

The petition asks the City to respond to the needs of the citizens. It was signed by more than 5000 signatures, she said.

Old Majestic Getting Facelift

Council approved exterior renovations at 390 Duckworth Street, a designated Heritage Building.

This was last before Council almost a year ago, when they voted to grant a discretionary use application for a lounge to open at the property. The person behind the project at the time was Terra Bruce.

The City received an application to alter the façade of 390 Duckworth Street –  which used to be known as the Majestic Theatre. It’s in the Commercial District of the St. John’s Municipal Plan, the Commercial Downtown Mixed Zone, Heritage Area 2, and is designated by Council as a heritage building.

“The applicant is proposing to remove the windows facing Queen’s Road and install a new loading door. This is to assist in the conversion of the property back to a concert venue. While removing windows is generally not recommended, in this case most of the subject windows have been covered since at least the early-2000s,” said Cllr Ian Froude.

“The renovation application includes updating windows and doors on the Duckworth Street façade, which will make the sidewalk more attractive for pedestrians.”

“Given the flat-iron shape of the building (the V-shape as seen from above, like a clothes iron) with two street facades, the Queen’s Road façade will function like the rear of the building, used for a loading area. While it does reduce the building details on the Queen’s Road side, staff believe that the new use of the building will enhance the site and create more street activity, and therefore Staff recommend approval of the proposed renovations. Adding corbels at the roof line and keeping the vertical columns on the Queen’s Road side will create an interesting façade with decorative details, not just a blank wall.”

Cllr Ravencroft called this a wonderful design, especially prime real estate and is a heritage building. She is hoping they won’t go with vinyl siding ultimately.

Cllr Sandy Hickman also hopes for clapboard siding.

Cllr Ellsworth wanted to clarify an issue around the vinyl siding. He said that heritage buildings that have vinyl siding can be permitted and stressed the heritage regulations are being properly applied.

The Go Round

Deputy mayor O’Leary said she was invited to a brainstorming session by Singing Network to start an international choral festival. She said it’s preliminary discussions on how it can move forward, as this province has a lot of talented singers. She thinks has great potential and was happy to attend.

Cllr Hickman congratulated the snow clearing staff and people of the city for cleaning up after this weekend’ storm. He also asked Deputy City Manager of Public Works Lynnann Winsor for an update on how it went.

She said the City received significant snowfall over the weekend and their crews worked 24/7 to keep up with snow, adding there are several more days of work ahead. On the issue of sidewalks, it’s too much for most of their sidewalk equipment, so it’s slower going than they’d like but will be picking away. She also apologized for any inconvenience.

Cllr Ravencroft remarked on the absence of Cllr Bruce, wishing her well at her wisdom tooth extraction, and it was a shame not to see her.