What Odds at City Hall: 9 January 2023

Well, we made it through 2022 and after a few weeks on holiday—which I took to relax and write —Council is back in session for the first regular council meeting of 2023.

As has been the case for the last few months, Cllr Maggie Burton is off on maternity leave. Cllr Debbie Hanlon was also absent.

First up, Council approved a discretionary use of a home occupation at 604 Main Road for family home childcare.

It will be owner-operated and accommodate up to seven children, said Cllr Jamie Korab.

Council then signed off on two residential driveways within the floodplain and buffer area at 3 Gillies Road.

“Currently the floodplain isn’t delineated,” said Cllr Korab. “However, due to proximity, it’s accepted that the driveways are within the floodplain and associated buffer. Driveways can be considered by Council within both the floodplain and the buffer.”

“It’s recommended that the delineation was not warranted in that it would provide no additional useful information because we can allow it in there anyway if it’s unpaved.”

Deputy Mayor Sheilagh O’Leary asked for clarification as to why this didn’t go to the experts panel.

Deputy City Manager of Planning, Engineering & Regulatory Services Jason Sinyard said for certain items that don’t require in-depth analysis, in a time saving measure, it was decided they didn’t need to go to the panel.

City Plans Financials

The City’s Group Insurance rates for 2023 was also unanimously approved by Council.

Cllr Jill Bruce had a number of fiscal items to go through, the first being the audit planning report to the City from BDO.

Council approved the Review of Preventative Maintenance Process Audit Report and the associated action plans put forth by management.

“The Office of the City Internal Auditor recently completed a review of the preventative maintenance process in the Fleet Division,” said Cllr Bruce. “Fleet is a division of the Department of Public Works and supports other City operations and services.”

“The audit determined that the Fleet Division is applying numerous best practices to help achieve an efficient and effective preventative maintenance process. Nevertheless, the audit identified opportunities for Fleet to build upon processes and controls already in place and to use additional best practices to enhance the preventative maintenance process. Management have responded to all recommendations and have also provided action plans and implementation dates for the recommendations.”

Next up, Cllr Bruce spoke about the 2023 audit plan.

“In accordance with audit standards prescribed by the Institute of Internal Auditors, each full program review conducted by the Office of the City Internal Auditor will have three main objectives: To ensure services are managed with due regard to significant risks that could possibly have a negative impact on the ability of the division or department to meet its objectives,” she said.

“Second one is to ensure services are delivered in accordance with prescribed policies, procedures and Council or Board directives. And the third one is to ensure that processes are implemented to inform, direct, manage and monitor activities that are intended to facilitate the achievement of the City’s strategic goals.”

Council unanimously approved the 2023 audit plan.

Alas, Poor Baird’s Cottage

Next up was two notices of motion dealing with the dearly departed Byrn Mawr—popularly known as Baird’s Cottage—that went up in flames in December.

Cllr Ian Froude declared that at the next regular council meeting would move a motion to amend the Heritage By-Law to replace Schedule A – Terms of Reference for Heritage Experts Panel (updated); and amend Schedule C – Heritage Buildings and Maps to remove 156 New Cove Road—aka Bryn Mawr.

Thanks for reminding me that this beautiful building mysteriously burned down.

As well, at the next council meeting Cllr Froude said he would move a motion to rescind the Heritage Designation approved by Council on May 30, 2016, for 154 New Cove Road, Parcel ID #3954 (Bryn Mawr) and repeal the attached By-Law (#1581).

City Takes Aim At Nuisance Lighting

Deputy Mayor O’Leary made a motion to request the province to amend the City of St. John’s Act to allow the City the jurisdiction to pass a nuisance light bylaw.

While not mentioned during Council, this is probably in relation to the individual who has been flooding the Outer Battery neighbourhood in lights throughout the night. In December, Mayor Danny Breen had said they couldn’t do much about the issue because their hands were tied.

The next matter of business was a “exhaustive note”—in Cllr Opehlia Ravencroft’s words—on the City of St. John’s 10-Year Affordable Housing Strategy.

We’re coming out of year four and into year five of the plan, she added.

She went on to highlight some of the big developments and positive steps, like increased funding, identifying parcels of vacant City land that can be used for affordable housing developments, like 28 Eric Street. 

“The City has also been selected to receive more funding under the federal Rapid Housing Initiative,” though the amounts have yet to be disclosed.

If you want to check out the advancements in the last year in terms of reaching its goal, you can read it on page 109.

Council signed off on the (undisclosed) travel costs associated for Mayor Danny Breen and Cllr Sandy Hickman to represent St. John’s at the 2023 Canada Winter Games in Charlottetown, PEI in March.

180 Military Road—aka the Presentation Convent—was back before Council and closer to having its heritage designation peeled back for redevelopment.

It last came up on November 28 over the heritage designation at the rear of the building. The owners wish to renovate it but plans brush up against heritage rules.

Cllr Ron Ellsworth added that even if the heritage designation is pulled off this section, plans would still need to go back to the built Heritage Experts Panel because it’s in the Heritage Area 1.

Cllr Ravencort announced she’d be abstaining from this matter because her mother is a senior financial officer for the Presentation Sisters and has a fiduciary interest in this.

Council decided to direct the Legal Department to undertake a Designation By-Law at 180 Military Road, removing the long rear extension from the designation, for Council’s consideration; as well as as per Section 8(3) of the St. John’s Heritage By-Law, accept the staff report on 180 Military Road in lieu of a Heritage Report.

It passed seven to one, with Cllr Froude voting against it and Cllr Ravencroft abstaining.

Council approved staff recommendation to award the Request For Proposals for Group Insurance Consulting and Third Party Pension Plan Administration to Johnson. 

The RFP was issued back in November 

The Go Round

Deputy Mayor O’Leary pointed out we’re expecting some bad weather tomorrow, which brought to mind vulnerable people in the City and the issue around the need for warming centres, which she said merits conversation. While the City deals with emergency scenarios, the delineation of responsibilities means warming centres are a provincial issue.

As we have high rates of vulnerable people, she asked that at some future date if the Manager, Emergency and Safety Services David Day could present some information to Council and the public about the City’s role in terms of emergency preparedness as well as the delineation of roles around warming centres.

Mayor Breen then said there will be information on warming centres coming soon.

Cllr Hickman wished his colleagues and St. John’s citizens a happy new year. He also warned people that the parking restrictions are in effect—so don’t leave your car on the road overnight. As well, since we’re expecting snow tomorrow, stay off the road if you can.

Cllr Ravencroft wished everyone a happy new year too.

Cllr Korab said the lights at Bowring Park were taken down today, and he asked if it was possible to leave them up a little longer next year, say the second or third week of January?

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