10.3.21 Request for Expression of Interest, Harbour Solutions Project
MOVED by Councillors Uteck and Hetherington, as recommended by the Committee of the Whole, to authorize staff to proceed to issue a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) which will identify companies qualified to undertake projects of the type and scale of the harbour solutions project, and which will be used to identify a short list of candidates who may be invited to respond to a later Request for Proposals;
Further, the scope of the RFQ should encompass a public-private partnership approach to the project. The preferred approach will involve a build-own-operate partnership, including design, construction, financing, and eventual transfer to the municipality, of sewage treatment facilities, collection infrastructure and biosolids facilities, for the Halifax Harbour Solutions project. Prospective partners will be expected to participate in identifying sites and to take the lead in obtaining required approvals and permits.
MOTION PUT AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
13.6 Ratification - In Camera - Halifax Regional Water Commission
MOVED by Councillors Hetherington and McInroy to ratify the decision, by consensus, made In Camera, to grant authority to the Halifax Regional Water Commission to participate in the RFI process for Harbour Solutions.
MOTION PUT AND PASSED.
5.1.12 Pollution Control Charges as defined in By-Law S-100 - Amended
A staff report prepared for George McLellan, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, regarding the above, was before Committee for consideration.
MOVED by Councillors Greenough and Hetherington that it be recommended to Council that the split between the Environmental Control charge and the Wastewater charge per 1000 gallons be adjusted from $0.87 and $0.87 to $0.82 and $0.92 respectively, retroactive to April 1st for water billed by the Water Commission. The total Pollution charge of $1.74 would not be increased.
MOTION PUT AND PASSED.
10.1.25 Halifax Harbour Solutions Stakeholder Advisory Committee Report
MOVED by Councillors Blumenthal and Hetherington, as recommended by the Committee of the Whole that:
(a) Council adopt the report of the Harbour Solutions Advisory Committee with its recommendations, and the framework it presents for the harbour solutions project. Appropriate elements of a "WINBY" approach should be adopted, as discussed on page 11 of the staff report dated March 19, 1998; and a final decision on ownership under possible public-private partnership approaches should be deferred for now, as discussed on page 16 of the staff report dated March 19, 1998;
(b) Further, that Council approve, in principle, concurrent action on the following next steps in this process:
Identification of specific candidate sites for facilities, and working with landowners of such prospective sites to reach agreement on availability;
MOTION PUT AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
9.2.19 Pollution Control Charges as defined in By-Law S-100
A memorandum prepared for Mr. Wayne Anstey, Acting Commissioner, Corporate Services, and Mr. George McLellan, Commissioner, Regional Operations, on the above-noted, was before Council.
MOVED by Councillors Greenough and Barnet that the Pollution Control Charge be set in accordance with Section 3, Subsection (1) Sewer Charges By-Law S-100, that all metered water users of the Commission shall pay an Environmental Protection rate of $0.87 per 1000 gallons of water; further, that a Wastewater and Stormwater Management rate of $0.87 per 1000 gallons of water be charged, for a combined rate of $1.74 per 1000 gallons of water.
Councillors Blumenthal and Walker stated they could not support the Motion as it was a hidden tax.
Councillor Walker referenced a clause in the staff report which stated the municipality is collecting an additional $3 million for the Harbour Cleanup but that it is not known what the actual costs will be. The Councillor enquired if the municipality did not require the additional $3 million after this year, will staff assure it will be removed from the water bill.
In response, Mr. Mike Weagle, Financial Consultant, on a Point of Clarification, advised, that although reference is often made to a Harbour Cleanup Reserve, it is actually a Pollution Control Reserve. This year, $2.4 million in capital projects will be funded from this account.
Mr. Kulvinder Dhillon, Director, Engineering & Transportation Services, advised that although $2.4 million was currently in the budget, Council has already committed $1.2 million of the $2.4 million for Fish Hatchery Pumping Station upgrading, as well as approximately $.5 million for the North Street Outfall in Dartmouth, plus a few other minor projects.
Councillor Walker referenced the Waste Water Charge and the fact that the municipality has picked up the sewer replacements for the former City of Halifax (approximately $6 million). The Councillor noted this charge was not removed from the former City of Halifax tax bills, therefore, the Councillor requested this charge be included on the general tax rate.
Councillor Sarto suggested further discussion on this report be deferred pending Operating Budget deliberations, to which Mayor Fitzgerald agreed.
Mr. Ron Singer, Director of Finance, advised that although debate on this matter could be continued during Operating Budget deliberations, the proposed Operating budget has assumed the $1.74 rate. If this charge is not implemented by April 1, 1998, the Operating Budget will have to be adjusted.
Another Motion was put on the floor.
MOVED by Councillors Sarto and Cunningham to defer further discussion on Pollution Control Charges pending Operating Budget deliberations.
MOTION DEFEATED.
Another Motion was put on the floor.
MOVED by Councillors Stone and Greenough that the Pollution Control Charge be changed to $1.58.
Councillor Greenough advised he had seconded the aforementioned Motion in order to bring the matter forward for discussion. Having said that, the Councillor stated that Council is committed to this and that the bill must be paid. Mr. Dhillon reminded Council that approval is required at least two weeks prior to April 1, 1998.
Another Motion was put on the floor.
MOVED by Councillors Greenough and Hetherington to defer further discussion on the Pollution Control Charge to March 10,1998.
MOTION DEFEATED.
Mr. Dan English, Acting Chief Administrative Officer, stated if the rate is reduced to $1.58 there will be major implications in terms of what the proposed Operating Budget is suggesting in terms of tax rate increases. It was suggested that staff prepare a report on these implications, indicating how the tax rate will be affected.
A vote on the Motion to amend the Pollution Control Rate to $1.58 took place.
MOTION DEFEATED.
A vote on the Main Motion (staff recommendation) took place.
MOTION PUT AND PASSED.
For the record, the following Councillors voted in the negative: Councillors Walker, Stone, Schofield, Hetherington, Sarto, and Blumenthal.
