Community Councils

An Information Report dated October 17, 1997 from Regional Operations along with an Information Report dated October 24, 1997 from Barry Allen, Legal Services were before Community Council.

Stephen King, Manager, Parks and Natural Services and Mike Kroger, Quality Improvement Engineer, Parks and Natural Services were in attendance. They reviewed the report from Regional Operations.

On a question from Councillor Walker as what was being spent at the present time, Mr. King replied the approximate cost for the former City of Halifax area was $400,000 to cover 80-85 km for sidewalks abutting HRM owned property.

Councillor Walker asked if the figure of $1.8 million would be less than two cents applied to all of HRM. He was told that someone from Finance Department was expected to be in attendance to answer questions on area rates; however, he had not yet arrived.

Councillor Stone asked what would the cost be if Chebucto Community Council decided on sidewalk snowplowing for Districts 15, 16, 17 and 18. Mr. Kroger, in reply, advised he did not have figures on how much of the 570 km of sidewalk was included in those Districts. He agreed it would be possible to get that information from the GIS system and to provide a report.

Councillor Stone asked further that the arterial streets and collector streets be broken down in the report as they seemed to be the continual problem streets. He wanted information to be similar to the service currently being provided to the former City of Dartmouth.

There was discussion as to whether or not the area rate established in other areas was applied just to residential property, not commercial. It was agreed to check and advise what happens to sidewalks for commercial properties in the former City of Dartmouth.

It was recognized that nothing could be done for the winter season forthcoming as the budget has been approved. Consideration would be for the winter season 1998/99.

Councillor Hanson commented on the liability factor with damage to properties as a result of HRM removing the snow. He asked if the $1.8 million included the commercial factor as far as the former City of Halifax was concerned. He was told the figure was to do all sidewalks, even downtown.

Staff pointed out that HRM still supported the practice started by the former City of Halifax where seniors and handicapped apply to have their sidewalks cleared.

At approximately 7:30 p.m., Bruce Fisher, Budget Coordinator, arrived.

With regard to the report from the Municipal Solicitor, Councillor Walker referred to the fact that he had requested a review of the process for the issuing of green cards. He explained he had no problem with the issuing of the green card (a warning) but with the 24-hours allowed to remove the snow and, if not removed, the municipality to remove and bill the resident. He pointed out there was a problem when the first green card is issued and another snowfall occurs before the 24 hour period has expired, when the time limit would start all over again. In his District, there were a number of property owners who were a problem as they refused to clear their sidewalk. He found the fact that the Municipality did not remove any snow last year and charge for it was, in his opinion, shocking and hard to accept.

Mr. King said he interpreted the Municipal Solicitor's report differently and suggested that it might not be the Municipality clearing the snow but a contractor. There was the issue, however, of liability.

In reply to a question from Councillor Walker as to why the Municipality was not going ahead and clearing the sidewalks in question, Mr. King replied it was an issue of enforcement and staff would follow up directly with Legal Services in this regard.

Councillor Walker asked that a report be made available for the next meeting.

Councillor Stone agreed he had problems similar to Councillor Walker's where the property owner kept getting warnings and, because nothing happens, they felt they did not have to do anything. There had to be something done at the end of the warning.

Councillor Stone requested that the comments made tonight be passed on to staff who would be involved in the compilation of a Staff Report on all the items raised.

5. MOTIONS OF RECONSIDERATION - None

6. MOTIONS OF RESCISSION - None

7. CONSIDERATION OF DEFERRED BUSINESS - None

8. PUBLIC HEARINGS - None

9. CORRESPONDENCE, PETITIONS AND DELEGATIONS

9.1 Presentation - Greater Chebucto Community Development Association

Councillor Adams advised that he had met with the Greater Chebucto Community Development Association last week. There would be a presentation made at the next meeting.

10. REPORTS

10.1 Bus Shelter - 505 Herring Cove Road

Councillor Adams advised that the proposed bus shelter for the above location had been put on a priority list and he understood it would be installed this season as part of the separate budget put forward for bus shelters only. It was agreed to check the status.

10.2 Sidewalk, Curb and Gutter - Bedford Highway

Councillor Walker referred to an Information Report dated September 25, 1997 for the last meeting of Community Council. He advised this issue was going to Regional Council but hoped that the report took a different form at that time as this was just an Information Report. It was agreed to receive the Information Report.

10.3 Annual Report - Chebucto Community Council

The Chairman provided an overview of the First Annual Report.

MOVED by Councillors Adams and Walker to receive the report. MOTION PUT AND PASSED.

11. MOTIONS - None

12. ADDED ITEMS

12.1 Jim Marriott Property

Councillor Adams outlined a situation regarding a property owned by Jim Marriott on Glen Baker Drive in Herring Cove. He requested that a Staff Report be prepared, at the latest for the next meeting of Community Council, but as soon as it is available, a copy should be sent to Councillor Adams and other members of Community Council.

12.2 3506 Dutch Village Road - Application No. 7550 - Proposed Enviro Depot

Councillor Walker advised that this application had been referred to staff for a meeting with staff, the applicant and himself, which had been held.

MOVED by Councillors Walker and Hanson to hold a Public Hearing on December 1, 1997 on Application No. 7550.

Community Council members sought clarification on this application from the Planner.

Thea Langille-Hanna, Planner explained that the Staff Report received at the last meeting provided a negative recommendation from staff. Where there is no PAC, a report is tabled to Community Council, when there is a negative recommendation from staff, to decide whether or not to proceed with a Public Hearing. If there had been a positive recommendation by staff, then staff would have set the Public Hearing date.

Councillor Stone asked if there was a variation now in what was intended since the last meeting. In reply, Ms. Hanna advised that since the last meeting, Councillor Walker had the opportunity to speak with the applicant and, as well, staff felt there was a policy to support their recommendation. She explained that there may have been confusion with definition and there may have been a misunderstanding. The applicant understands now the intent of the Staff Report. There was no additional report coming to Community Council; it would be the same report received at the last meeting.

MOTION PUT AND PASSED.

With regard to advertising the Public Hearing, Councillor Walker advised that he would be holding his own information meeting in the neighbourhood to inform the neighbours of the facts. The applicant would be in attendance to answer questions.

13. NOTICES OF MOTION - None

14. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Mr. Hiram Tiller, 4 Thackeray Close raised the following points:

He asked the status of traffic silencing on Bayview Drive and asked if there would be a public meeting prior to any changes being made with the public meeting advertised. In reply, Councillor Stone advised that he understood that a public meeting was part of the process and he assumed it would be advertised. Councillor Walker added the time frame for the meeting was unknown.
He asked the status of the concern with traffic congestion and safety at the intersection of Highway 102/Lacewood. In reply, Councillor Stone advised that a meeting still has not been held between Regional Operations and Department of Transportation, although he has been pushing for one to be held. He suggested that Mr. Tiller call Alan Taylor, staff of HRM, directly.
He expressed concern with the lack of bus bays in Bayers Lake Park, particularly on the Kent side, which created a traffic hazard. Councillor Stone agreed to take this concern to the Halifax Transit Committee.

Mr. William Phillips, 9 Crestview Drive raised the following points:

With regard to the report on sidewalk, curb and gutter for the Bedford Highway, he noted that a lot of time has elapsed since the completion of the project and stated that because there was so much money involved, he found it unacceptable that insufficient resources and amalgamation were the cause for not billing for local improvement charges. He asked for clarification of the policy as to whether or not residents would be charged. In reply, Councillor Stone advised that the policy may or may not apply.
He referred to Community Council's decision to hold a Public Hearing next month re 3506 Dutch Village Road and asked if the public would have access to the Staff Report prior to that time. Councillor Stone clarified that there was no change in the report, that it had been made available last month.
He congratulated Community Council on its first Anniversary.

15. NEXT MEETING DATE - Monday, December 1, 1997

16. ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN

MOVED by Councillors Adams and Walker to nominate Councillor Stone as Chairman.

There were no further nominations.

Councillor Stone was declared Chairman for the ensuing year.

17. ADJOURNMENT

On a motion from Councillor Walker, the meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.

Sandra M. Shute
Assistant Municipal Clerk

Community Councils

Chebucto Community Council Nov 3, 1997 Agenda

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