HALIFAX REGIONAL COUNCIL
AGENDA

Tuesday, June 10, 2025, 9:00 a.m.; Reconvene 6:00 p.m. If Required

Council Chamber, 3rd Floor City Hall, 1841 Argyle Street, Halifax

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1.

CALL TO ORDER AND LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

2.

SPECIAL COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

3.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES - May 27, 2025

4.

APPROVAL OF THE ORDER OF BUSINESS AND APPROVAL OF ADDITIONS AND DELETIONS

5.

CONSENT AGENDA

Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council approve recommendations in the following items: 15.1.2, 15.1.3, 15.1.4, 15.2.1

6.

BUSINESS ARISING OUT OF THE MINUTES

7.

CALL FOR DECLARATION OF CONFLICT OF INTERESTS

8.

MOTIONS OF RECONSIDERATION

None

9.

MOTIONS OF RESCISSION

None

10.

CONSIDERATION OF DEFERRED BUSINESS - June 3, 2025 & May 9, 2023

10.1

Regional Plan Review: Phase 4 (Case 22257), including Minimum Planning Requirements

Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council give First Reading to consider:

a) Repeal of the existing 2014 Regional Municipal Planning Strategy, and approval of the proposed 2025 Regional Municipal Planning Strategy, as set out in Attachment B of the staff report dated May 16, 2025;

b) Repeal and re-adoption of the by-laws, policies, and provisions of the Secondary Municipal Planning Strategies and Land Use By-Laws (as amended) that were previously adopted to implement the 2014 Regional Plan as set out in Attachment C of the staff report dated May 16, 2025;

c) Approval of the proposed amendments to the Secondary Municipal Planning Strategies as set out in Attachment D of the staff report dated May 16, 2025;

d) Approval of the proposed amendments to the Land Use By-Laws, as set out in Attachment E of the staff report dated May 16, 2025;

e) Approval of the proposed amendments to the Regional Subdivision By-Law, as set out in Attachment F of the staff report dated May 16, 2025;

f) Approval of the proposed amendments to the Secondary Municipal Planning Strategies and Land Use By-Laws, as set out in Attachment G of the staff report dated May 16, 2025.

and schedule a public hearing.

10.2

By-law V-300, The Vehicle Noise By-law - Supplementary Report

Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council maintain the current enforcement mechanism for excessive vehicle noise through the Noise By-law and Motor Vehicle Act.

11.

NOTICES OF TABLED MATTERS

None

12.

PUBLIC HEARING

None

13.

CORRESPONDENCE, PETITIONS & DELEGATIONS

13.1

Correspondence

13.2

Petitions

14.

INFORMATION ITEMS BROUGHT FORWARD - May 27, 2025

14.1

Deputy Mayor Mancini - Board of Police Commissioners 2024-2025 Annual Report and Work Plan

15.

REPORTS

15.1

CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER

15.1.1

Administrative Order 50 – Declaration of Surplus Real Property – Package 10.25 and Proposed Administrative Order SC-108, Respecting Closure of Ryan Gate, Dartmouth

Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:

1. Declare the properties, as categorized and listed in Attachments B, D, and E of the staff report dated April 9, 2025, surplus to municipal requirements pursuant to Administrative Order Number 50 Respecting the Disposal of Surplus Real Property;

2. Recategorize the properties in Attachment C of the staff report dated April 9, 2025, previously declared surplus by Regional Council, to “Affordable Housing;”

3. Revoke the surplus approvals of the properties in Attachment F of the staff report dated April 9, 2025.

4. Set a date for the public hearing to consider closing Ryan Gate right-of-way, shown as ‘Parcel RG’ in Attachment G of the staff report dated April 9, 2025, with notice to be published in a newspaper at least 14 days prior to the public hearing for the street closure.

15.1.2

2025-00656: Amendments to the Suburban Housing Accelerator Secondary MPS and LUB for 174 Main Street, Dartmouth*

Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council give First Reading to consider approval of the proposed amendments to the Suburban Housing Accelerator Secondary Municipal Planning Strategy and Land Use By-law as set out in Attachments 1 and 2 of the staff report dated April 23, 2025, and schedule a public hearing.

15.1.3

Council Award – Request for Proposal for Armoured Rescue Vehicle (ARV)*

Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:

1. award request for proposal 2025-0134 for one Armoured Rescue Vehicle (ARV) to Cambli Group Inc. for $539,849 (net HST included), as the highest scoring proponent for this solicitation, with funding from capital account No. CV240005, Police Fleet Expansion, as outlined in the Financial Implications section of the staff report dated April 8, 2025; and

2. Direct the Chief Administrative Officer to execute the resulting procurement documentation with Cambli Group Inc.

15.1.4

Student Transit Pass Pilot Program Status Update*

Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer to:

1. negotiate and execute an agreement with the Province of Nova Scotia that extends the Student Transit Pass Pilot Program through the 2025/26 school year;

2. expand the Student Transit Pass Pilot Program to include homeschooled students, with the cost of this expansion to be borne by the Municipality, as set forth in the Financial Implications section of the staff report dated May 12, 2025;

3. engage with private schools to assess their interest in participating in, and funding their participation in, the Student Transit Pass Pilot Program; and

4. prepare a report for Regional Council outlining a proposed long-term funding model for transitioning the Student Transit Pass Pilot Program to a permanent program, with such a model reflecting the cost and value of the program, and enabling adjustments for operational costs and inflation.

15.2

TRANSPORTATION STANDING COMMITTEE

15.2.1

Rural Transit Grant Program Review*

Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council direct the CAO to:

1. Establish a Rural Transit Advisory Group to lead and foster strategic partnerships with key stakeholders to implement the initiatives recommended in the staff report dated January 22, 2025;

2. Prepare a staff report to amend Administrative Order 2014-012-ADM Respecting Grants for Rural Transit to establish a capital grants funding subcategory with defined funding criteria, priority outcomes, and evaluation measures for consideration and approval by the Grants Committee and Regional Council;

3. Establish a professional development and training support program for Rural Transit Funding Program partners that leverages existing municipal training programs;

4. Develop a fare integration strategy for Regional Council’s consideration to facilitate transfers from rural transit services to the Halifax Transit network;

5. Support brand awareness of rural transit services through Halifax Transit’s existing marketing and communications channels; and

6. Develop a Microtransit Service Plan for Regional Council’s consideration that prioritizes addressing gaps in rural service.

15.2.2

Proposed Amendments to Administrative Order 39, Respecting Taxi and Limousine Regulation - Annual Taxi and Limousine Rate Review

Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council: 

1. Adopt the revised amendments to Administrative Order 39, the Taxi and Limousine Regulations Administrative Order, as set out in Attachment 3 of the report dated May 22, 2025, to adjust taxi rates in accordance with Option 2, an unblended rate, as set out in the staff report dated February 20, 2025; and

2. Request a supplementary report on modernizing Administrative Order 39, the Taxi and Limousine Regulation Administrative Order and By-law T-1000, Respecting the Regulation of Taxis, Accessible Taxis and Limousines.

15.2.3

Robie Street Transit Priority Corridor: Project Update

Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council receive the report dated April 25, 2025 for information and receive a presentation. 

15.3

MEMBERS OF COUNCIL

15.3.1

Councillor Steele - Blasting & Carbon Monoxide

Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer to prepare a staff report that:

A) Summarizes the events surrounding the April 14, 2025 carbon monoxide incident and overnight evacuation affecting several homes on Marketway Lane, Timberlea, and assesses the adequacy of the current HRM Blasting By-law in addressing newly identified risks; and

B) Recommends a communication protocol with residents on unanticipated matters related to blasting and community safety.

15.3.2

Mayor Fillmore - Motion to Pause New Bike Lane Projects Pending Traffic Impact Review

Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council waive section 17 of Administrative Order One, requiring a staff report from the Chief Administrative Officer; and

Direct the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to:

Pause awarding contracts for any new bike lane design or construction capital projects, effective immediately, until Council receives a supplementary staff report that:

1. Provides a list of bike lane projects proposed in the current 4-year capital plan that could result in reduced vehicular traffic capacity and/or increased traffic congestion; and

2. Assesses the feasibility of alternative network solutions that could achieve active transportation goals while sustaining or improving current traffic flow.

16.

MOTIONS

16.1

Councillor Cuttell

Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council introduce a resolution for submission to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities to advocate to the federal government for preventative screening for fire fighters for all municipalities.

17.

IN CAMERA (IN PRIVATE)

Council may rise and go into a private In Camera session, in accordance with Section 19 of the Halifax Regional Municipality Charter, for the purpose of dealing with the following:

17.1

In Camera (In Private) Minutes - May 27, 2025

Motion: 
That the In Camera (In Private) minutes of May 27, 2025 be approved as circulated.

17.2

PROPERTY MATTER - Private and Confidential Report

A matter pertaining to providing instruction and direction to officers and employees of the Municipality pertaining to the acquisition / sale of land.

Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:

1. Adopt the recommendations as outlined in the private and confidential report dated June 10, 2025; and

2. Direct that the private and confidential report dated June 10, 2025 be maintained private and confidential.

18.

ADDED ITEMS

19.

NOTICES OF MOTION

20.

ADJOURNMENT

21.

INFORMATION ITEMS

21.1

Proclamation - United Nations (UN) International Day of Play - June 11, 2025

21.2

Memorandum from the Chief Administrative Officer dated March 27, 2025 re: Land Transfer- Feely Lake

21.3

Memorandum from the Chief Administrative Officer dated May 26, 2025 Re: 2024/25 Strategic Priorities Plan Progress Report

21.4

Memorandum from the Chief Administrative Officer dated May 27, 2025 re: Tiered Tax Relief for Commercial Properties Review

21.5

Memorandum from the Chief Administrative Officer dated March 31, 2025 re: 2024-25 French Language Services Strategy Annual Update Report

21.6

Memorandum from the Municipal Clerk dated June 2, 2025 re: Requests for Presentation to Council - None

21.7

Memorandum from the Chief Administrative Officer dated November 14, 2024 re: By-law N-200 Measurable Decibel Level Report

21.8

Proclamation - German Settlers Day - June 7, 2025

22.

IN CAMERA (IN PRIVATE) INFORMATION ITEMS

None