9.7 HALIFAX HARBOUR SOLUTIONS STAKEHOLDER ADVISORY COMMITTEE
9.7.1 Update from Stakeholder Advisory Committee (info report)
An Information Report from the Harbour Stakeholder Advisory Committee on the above-noted, was before Council.
MOVED by Councillors Epstein and Cooper to receive the Report for information.
MOTION PUT AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
October 21, 19979.4.11 Final Report - Source Control Implementation Strategy
A staff report prepared for George McLellan, Commissioner of Regional Operations, regarding the above, was before Council for consideration.
Councillor Epstein proposed approval of the staff recommendation with the following phase added to the end "of the final report of the Source Control Implementation Strategy."
MOVED by Councillors Epstein and Uteck that Council authorize staff to proceed with the implementation of the key recommendations of the final report of the Source Control Implementation Strategy.
On Page 3 of the staff report, under Program Implementation, Councillor Epstein noted staff indicates perhaps a longer implementation period than three years may be needed as the funding may be difficult to obtain. The Councillor asked if the $43 million fund set aside for harbour projects could be used for this implementation project, to which Mr. Kulvinder Dhillon, Director of Engineering Services, replied it could.
MOTION PUT AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
8.1 Pollution Control Charges
· This item was previously discussed at a Committee of the Whole Meeting on September 9, 1997 and a subsequent Council meeting on September 15, 1997. The issue was deferred on September 15, 1997 pending further information. A supplementary report prepared for Larry Corrigan, Commissioner of Corporate Services and George McLellan, Commissioner of Regional Operations, was before Council for consideration.
In response to a question from Councillor Epstein, Mr. Ron Singer, Finance Director, stated debt financing for the Mill Cove treatment facility factored into the recommended rate change. Previously, this would have been funded through the wastewater charges in the former Halifax County and Bedford.
Councillor Epstein stated there are still several questions outstanding. If the impact for users of the water system over a number of years can determined, Council should be told what they will be. The Councillor noted he was given some information on questions he raised previously regarding the harbour clean-up fund. However, he noted not all Councillors have been provided this information. Councillor Epstein suggested segregation of this fund should be pursued. The Councillor also suggested specialized funds could be set up for water treatment facilities already in place.
Mayor Fitzgerald stated the process of bringing the different water rates together needs to begin.
In response to a question from Councillor Hetherington, Mr. Kulvinder Dhillon listed the water treatment related capital projects from the 1996-97 Capital Budget.
Councillor Walker stated questions raised at the September 15, 1997 Council meeting have not been answered. The Councillor also noted the information given to Councillor Epstein should be provided to all Councillors.
MOVED by Councillors Walker and Epstein that this issue be deferred pending a written report to Council.
Councillor Hendsbee expressed concern with this issue being deferred again as to the effect delays will have on the harmonization of the Pollution Control Charges.
MOTION PUT AND PASSED.
9.4.8 Pollution Control Charges
A staff report prepared for Mr. Larry Corrigan, Commissioner, Corporate Services, and Mr. George McLellan, Commissioner, Regional Operations, was before Council for discussion.
MOVED by Councillors Snow and McInroy that the Pollution Control charge be set in accordance with Section 3, Subsection (1) of Sewer Charges By-Law S-100, that all metered water users of the Commission shall pay an Environmental Protection rate of $1.16 per 1,000 gallons of water; further, that a Wastewater and Stormwater Management rate of $.26 per 1,000 gallons of water be paid, for a combined rate of $1.42 per 1,000 gallons of water; further, that staff provide additional information regarding Councillor Epstein's comments regarding the implications of it.
Councillor Walker suggested the report did not address enquiries made by Councillor Epstein during an earlier meeting of Council. In response, Mr. Ken Meech, Chief Administrative Officer, stated that Councillor Epstein had advised his questions had been answered.
MOVED by Councillors Walker and Blumenthal to defer further discussion on this matter to the next meeting of Council pending the receipt of additional information. MOTION PUT AND PASSED.
13.1 In Camera Ratification - Appointments - Harbour Solutions Stakeholder Advisory Committee
MOVED by Councillors Hetherington and Cunningham that Council ratify the In Camera decision to appointment the following persons to the Harbour Solutions Stakeholder Advisory Committee, for a total membership of sixteen:
Murray Osborne
Richard C. Hale
Donald L. Mason
MOTION PUT AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
9.10.4(a) Halifax Harbour Solutions - Consulting Services Selection
· A report, dated July 10, 1997, from Dan Gautreau, Acting Commissioner, Priority and Policy, entitled "Halifax Harbour Solutions - Consulting Services Selection," was before Council for consideration.
MOVED by Deputy Mayor Greenough and Councillor Epstein that Council instruct staff to conclude negotiations with Jacques Whitford Environment Limited and that Council authorize the Chief Administrative Officer to approve the contract while Council is on summer break.
Councillor Rankin referenced #6 of the staff report, "value per dollar" and questioned how much weighting was given to the cost that was submitted as compared to other costs and what was the actual cost. Council was advised 15% was allocated to considerations of cost. Councillor Rankin requested that the weighting given to these criteria be provided.
Councillor Kelly expressed concern that all detailed information is not being provided and noted that previously Council requested that when proposals come forward, the evaluation matrix be provided to Council.
Mr. Meech advised the fee for service is not a set fee but based on the scope of activities.
In response to Councillor Sarto, Mr. Meech advised the amount would be charged back to the pollution control account.
MOTION PUT AND PASSED.
9.10.4 (b) Stakeholder Advisory Committee - Membership Appointments
A report, dated July 7, 1997, from Mayor Fitzgerald, entitled "Halifax Harbour Solutions Stakeholder Advisory Committee - Membership Appointments," was before Council for consideration.
MOVED by Councillors Epstein and Adams that the following citizens be appointed to the Halifax Harbour Solutions Stakeholder Advisory Committee:
Councillor Epstein moved the recommendation and noted there is room for 15 persons on the Committee stating that if Councillors are aware of other qualified persons who might want to put their names forward, they would be examined.
MOTION PUT AND PASSED.
9.10.4 (c) Information Report - Correspondence from Environment Canada re: Harbour Solutions
A report, dated July 15, 1997, from Dan Gautreau, Acting Commissioner, Priority and Policy, entitled "Correspondence from Environment Canada re Harbour Solutions," was before Council for consideration.
Council agreed to receive the correspondence for information.
9.4.3 HALIFAX HARBOUR WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT
· This matter had been tabled during the March 4, 1997 Council Session.
Staff was recommending:
Councillor Epstein stated he could support recommendations 1, 2 and 5 but not clauses 3 and 4 as noted above.
MOVED by Councillors Epstein and Uteck to recommend:
9.4.7 Halifax Harbour Waste Water Management
· A memorandum prepared for Ms. Val Spencer, Commissioner of Policy and Planning, on the above-noted, was before Council for discussion.
Staff was recommending:
(a) that Council adopt the 12 Principles agreed to by the Symposium participants as a basis for moving forward.
(b) that Council appoint an Advisory Committee of key stakeholders, based upon expertise and experience with the issues, to provide a meaningful venue for stakeholder input into the harbour solutions planning process. The work of this group will be essential in advising HRM management and Council on the standards and expectations which Council should set in seeking private sector partners to develop and implement treatment strategies.
(c) that Council retain a management consultant to assist with the process of selecting a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) by developing a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) and Request for Proposals (RFP). The consultant will work with the Advisory Committee and HRM management to ensure that calls for proposals and the selection of private partners are designed to meet Council's expectations and needs.
(d) that Council solicit proposals for a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) to design and implement solutions for wastewater treatment for the harbour.
(e) that the general public be kept well informed and educated on the planning and design process for wastewater treatment facilities.
Mr. Tony Blouin, Policy and Planning, through the use of overheads, provided an overview of the above-noted recommendation, noting this information was strictly for Council's information this evening.
Councillor Epstein commented on the proposed role of a private sector partner and requested clarification. He further enquired as to whether the partner being proposed will be involved simply in the design and building of the project or whether it is proposed that the partner would have a role in the operation, even ownership, of the project. If the latter is the case, than a close examination of the experience in Britain (privatized sewer and water) should be undertaken. Also, the justification for a private sector partner at this level, should be explained.
Councillor Hetherington suggested that funds can be saved by reviewing the blueprint of what has been done over the past three years. With respect to advisory committees, Councillor Hetherington stated that membership should not have any kind of a conflict of interest.
On the matter of public partnership and if it is acceptable, there are scenarios that perhaps joint ventures can work to the benefit of the municipality, while still owned and operated by the municipality. With respect to the fact this may come before the Regional Water Commission, Councillor Hetherington suggested a copy of this report be forwarded to Mr. John Dick, Chairman; and Carl Yates, Executive Director, for their input.
Mr. Ken Meech stated this latter point of Councillor Hetherington's was a suggestion raised at the Symposium.
Mr. Blouin, in response to an enquiry of Councillor Cooper respecting public involvement and an education process, advised the public will generally want to be kept informed, however, others may wish to be further involved through interaction with the advisory committee. Also, there may be a need for public meetings.
This matter will be discussed on March 18, 1997.
