Hello Subscribers!
I hope fall has treated you all well so far! I first must apologizes for not getting a September newsletter out sooner, it has been an extremely busy month. Next update will be a very special edition. Why you ask? On November 1st, it will officially be one year since being sworn in, and there’s lots to share! So, stay tuned for the next update.
List of events and notices – here’s what is included:
Update:
- Regional Council Summary from September 19th
- Open House Sessions: Transit Priority Corridors — Bayers Road and Gottingen Street
- Gottingen St. Area Recreation Needs Assessment
- Campaign Finance Accountability
- Public Information Sessions
- North End Community Health Centre Good Food Box
- Halifax Peninsula Community Health Team Programs
- Casserole Luncheons St Margaret of Scotland Church Hall
- Mobile Food Market – North End Hfx
- Hopscotch Arts Festival
Items of Interest
- September North End Community Circle Roundtable Notes
- North End Business Association
- Quinpool Road Business Association
- Halifax Regional Council Tuesday, October 3rd
- Halifax and West Community Council October 10th
- Other Committee and Board commitments
Contact me:
Phone: 902-579-6975
Email: Lindell.Smith@halifax.ca
Website: www.LindellSmithHfx.ca
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LindellSmithHFX/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LindellSmithHFX
Council Coordinator: Nadine Yuriev
Phone: 902.490.1577
Email: Yurievn@halifax.ca
311 – HRM’s Call Centre
HRM’s call centre is open 7 days/week from 7 am to 11 pm to respond to routine inquiries and complaints from HRM residents. Please use this service since it helps HRM keep track of issues that are of concern for residents (missed solid waste pickup, sidewalks not cleared, transit info or complaints, etc.) For more information please visit http://www.halifax.ca/311/
Please send your feedback on issues before Community Council and Regional Council – and on any municipal issue. If you would like to send your comments to all Regional Councillors please email the Clerk’s Office (clerks@halifax.ca) so that your comments are shared and are part of the public record.
If you would like to send events or information to be possibly included in my e-newsletter, please email with the subject line “E-Newsletter”
HRM Public Meetings and Notices:
Spaying and Neutering of Cats Grant Program
Regional Council made the decision to continue the 2016 feral cat Trap-Neuter-Return project and provide funding for the next five years, commencing April 1, 2017, in order to continue the effective partnerships that have developed between the Nova Scotia SPCA, the Spay Day HRM Society, and HRM. Furthermore, Council directed that any additional funds be subject to annual budget considerations.
Regional Council directed staff to continue to include funding for the Pride Crosswalk Program as part of Transportation and Public Works’ (TPW) operational budge, which would include the installation and maintenance of rainbow art at four signalized locations to be determined by the Director of TPW. Council also authorized the Director of TPW to approve requests for rainbow crosswalk art at additional locations, only if sufficient funds are provided from an external source and the design is approved the by the Traffic Authority. Council also requested a staff report to explore an option for safe paint applications and explore design guidelines for future instances.
Taxis, Accessible Taxis, and Limousines – By-Law Amendments
Regional Council gave first reading to By-Law T-1002, which would amend By-law 1000 and by adding the requirement that a taxi, accessible taxi or limousine must display and maintain any other signs and decals as set out in Administrative Order 39. This Administrative Order can be viewed at https://www.halifax.ca/sites/default/files/documents/city-hall/regional-council/170919rc1416.pdf
Regional Council directed that HRM continue to provide paratransit service to clients currently in receipt of the service effective the date of the April 13, 2017 staff report and have requested a staff report outlining several improvements to the service including:
- Examining the cost and operational impacts of extending Access-A-Bus service to the full service day, regardless of hours of operation of conventional service in the area.
- Proposing revisions to the current set of Eligibility Criteria for the use of the Access-A-Bus service with the aim of restricting eligibility to those who cannot use the conventional transit service.
- To continue charging registered Access-A-Bus uses standard rates to ride the conventional transit system.
Regional Council also requested a staff report to return to the Transportation Standing Committee that will, after consultation with the Taxi & Limousine Liaison Group, taxi operators, and dispatch companies, present options for the development of a service delivery contract or other arrangements with taxi operators and dispatch companies that will support a sustainable framework to ensure the 24-hour provision of an accessible taxi service.
HRM Children’s Charter of Rights
Regional Council requested a staff report on creating a HRM Children’s Charter of Rights guided by the belief that “all children deserve basic rights and freedoms and that all levels of government, in partnership with communities, have a duty to support families by putting the health and well-being of children first.” The HRM Children’s Charter of Rights is to include areas under the municipal mandate as outlined in the MGA and Halifax Charter and should include consideration of:
- The Right to Affordable Housing: enforce minimum standards in dwellings with young children and ensure affordable housing is considered with every new development and/or renovation project
- The Right to Affordable Child Care: consideration of permitting more “home-based” or neighbourhood day care centres in Municipal Planning Strategies and Land Use By-Laws.
- The Right to Access Healthy Food: Encourage more community gardens, Mobile Food Markets.
- The Right to Safety: ensure the Integrated Halifax Regional Police/RCMP continue Community Officers presence in the schools/communities and the School Crossing Guard Program; ensure pedestrian infrastructure (sidewalk/crosswalk) is adequate especially in elementary school districts.
- The Right to Safe Potable Water: work with Halifax Regional Water Commission by developing options to assist families in danger of having water services cut.
- The Right to Recreation and Healthy Lifestyle: continue to offer affordable recreation activities for all; consider expanding the Inclusion Program as required; ensure community space is included in all developments; Continue Active Transportation and Integrated Mobility Plan and trail development to ensure healthy/active living options for families.
Regional Council requested a staff information report on the implementation of an HRM-wide Multilingual Service Available Policy that would request all HRM facilities providing customer service (Access Centres, Arenas, Libraries, Pools, Recreation Centres, etc.) to advise in what language service can be provided at that location.
Regional Council approved the conditional provision of in-kind assistance of up to $500,000, with a net municipal project cost not exceeding $250,000 to the Parish of St. Paul’s for the restoration of a portion of the wall and cast iron fencing surrounding the church. St. Paul’s Church is one of the oldest buildings in Halifax and the oldest existing Protestant church in Canada, and has significant historical value. The funding is conditional on a cost-sharing agreement with the federal government, which will contribute 50% of the cost of the project ($250,000). For more information, please see the full staff report available here: https://www.halifax.ca/sites/default/files/documents/city-hall/regional-council/170919rc172.pdf
Open House Sessions: Transit Priority Corridors — Bayers Road and Gottingen Street
Halifax Transit and Planning & Development will be hosting two open house sessions as part of the functional design study that is currently being completed for transit priority corridors on Bayers Road and Gottingen Street.
The open house sessions will take place at the following times and locations:
- Bayers Road corridor: Thursday, Sept. 28 – 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Maritime Hall, 2901 Windsor Street (Halifax Forum)
- Gottingen Street corridor: Monday, Oct. 2 – 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the George Dixon Centre, 2502 Brunswick Street.
Residents will also be encouraged to provide feedback via a Shape Your City page (https://www.halifax.ca/about-halifax/regional-community-planning/shape-your-city)
Case 20267 – Application by WM Fares Architects to change the Halifax Municipal Planning Strategy and Halifax Peninsula Land Use By-law to allow a 5-storey mixed-use building with ground floor commercial uses and upper storey residential uses at the site of a former service station on Chebucto Road, and on two additional properties on Beech and Elm Streets (3 properties) https://www.halifax.ca/sites/default/files/documents/business/planning-development/applications/20267_ChebuctoBeechElm%20Application%20Details.pdf
When: October 5th 7:00PM – 9:00PM at the Halifax Forum (Maritime Hall), 2901 Windsor Street, Halifax
Case 20360 – Application by W.M. Fares Architects to amend the Halifax Peninsula Land Use By-law by applying Schedule Q to property on Young and Demone Streets, Halifax and for approval of a development agreement for a 14-storey mixed use building with 114 apartment units and 966 square metres of commercial space. https://www.halifax.ca/business/planning-development/applications/case-20360-young-demone-streets-halifax
When: October 4th 6:00PM – 8:00PM at the Halifax Forum (Maritime Hall), 2901 Windsor Street, Halifax
Case 20577 – Application by WM Fares Architects to change the Halifax Municipal Planning Strategy and Halifax Peninsula Land Use By-law to allow an 8-storey building, with commercial and residential uses, on properties on Robie, Compton and Cunard Streets.
https://www.halifax.ca/sites/default/files/documents/business/planning-development/applications/20577_RobieCunardCalton%20Application%20Details_Redacted_0.pdf
When: October 11th 7:00PM – 9:00PM at the Halifax Forum (Maritime Hall), 2901 Windsor Street, Halifax
Gottingen St. Area Recreation Needs Assessment
Tell us what you think. The Halifax Regional Municipality is conducting a recreation needs assessment for the community within Cogswell St, Agricola St, North St and Brunswick St. The goal of this assessment is to understand how the current facilities meet the needs of the area, and how these facilities could be enhanced to better serve the community. We want to hear from you. Thank you for taking the time to fill out this survey.
Take Survey: http://www.shapeyourcityhalifax.ca/gottingen-st-area-recreation
Campaign Finance Accountability
In early 2015 Halifax Regional Council began a conversation on election campaign finance accountability. This conversation resulted in the Province of Nova Scotia (April 2016) making amendments to the Halifax Regional Municipal Charter to allow for a municipal by-law to provide greater clarity on how election campaign finances are administered. Regional Council has directed staff to continue the conversation with the public to gain a better understanding on election campaign finance accountability before drafting a by-law for Council’s consideration.
See the final public engagement report here: http://www.shapeyourcityhalifax.ca/3492/documents/7824
More info: http://www.shapeyourcityhalifax.ca/campaign-finance-accountability
Community Events/Meetings
North End Community Health Centre Good Food Box
$7.00 Good Food Box by the North End Community Health Centre. Fresh fruits and vegies for folks and families in need.
Pick-up Dates: September 2nd, October 6th, November 1st, December 6th
Pick-up locations:
1:30pm – 5425 Uniack Square Salvation Army
2:00pm – Gordon B. Isnor Manor at 5565 Cornwallis St.
2:30pm – Sunrise Manor at 2406 Gottingen St.
2:45pm – Ahern Manor at 2313 Gottingen Street
To register, leave message at 902-420-0303 press 5161
Halifax Peninsula Community Health Team Programs
Heart Healthy Living – Know Your Numbers 2 Week Program:
Do you know your top 5 numbers for heart health? Discover ways to improve your blood pressure, cholesterol, fasting blood sugar, weight and waist circumference.
Friday, September 29th & October 6th from 1:30 – 3:30 pm at Northwood Manor Meeting Space
Personal Wellness Program:
Complete a lifestyle survey and have your cholesterol, blood sugar, blood pressure, body fat and waist circumference measured.
Thursday, September 28th from 8:30 – 11:30 am at Halifax Community Health Team – Suite105, 6080 Young Street
More Programs Here: http://www.nshealth.ca/service-details/Community%20Health%20Teams
Casserole Luncheons St Margaret of Scotland Church Hall
Thursday, Sept 28th, Oct 26th, & Nov 30th 11:30AM – 1:00PM at the St Margaret of Scotland Church Hall 3751 Robie St (just north of Leeds)
Admission $10. 00
Students & Seniors $7.50
Mobile Food Market – North End Hfx
The Mobile Food Market offers a great selection of fresh, affordable fruits, vegetables and bread for customers to browse and purchase. All welcome every second Saturday!
Where: Devonshire Arena, 3395 Devonshire Ave
When: Every second Saturday, next Market Saturday, October 7th
https://www.facebook.com/events/1388054741290465/?active_tab=about
Hopscotch Arts Festival
September 28-October 1, 2017 | Various locations around HRM
Hopscotch Arts Festival showcases international and local artists representing various art forms. Recognized by HRM’s event strategy, Hopscotch provides a unique experience for local artists and our diverse community. For a full listing of events, visit https://www.halifax.ca/recreation/programs-activities/events/civic-events/hopscotch-arts-festival
September North End Community Circle Roundtable Notes:
http://necchalifax.ca/note/september-2017/
North End Business Association
For an update on what is happening with businesses in the north end please visit the North End Business Association http://gonorthhalifax.ca/ and sign up for their monthly email.
Quinpool Road Business Association
For an update on what is happening with businesses on Quinpool Road please visit their website: www.quinpoolroad.ca/
Halifax Regional Council
Tuesday, October 3rd 2017 1:00pm | Halifax City Hall, Council Chambers
The next meeting of Halifax Regional Council will take place on Tuesday, October 3rd at 1:00pm at Halifax City Hall. Agenda and reports are posted by noon on Friday prior to the meeting date and are available at http://www.halifax.ca/council/agendasc/cagenda.php
Halifax and West Community Council Reports and Agendas
Next Meeting: October 10th 6:00 pm | Council Chambers, City Hall
Please check the webpage here for agendas (usually available a week before the meeting), locations and times.
https://www.halifax.ca/city-hall/community-councils/halifax-west-community-council
My other Committee and Board commitments:
Community Planning & Economic Development
https://www.halifax.ca/city-hall/standing-committees/community-planning-economic-development-standing-committee
Halifax Peninsula Planning Advisory Committee (Formally District 7 and 8 Planning Advisory Committee)
https://www.halifax.ca/city-hall/boards-committees-commissions/h/halifax-peninsula-planning-advisory-committee
Community Design Advisory Committee
https://www.halifax.ca/city-hall/boards-committees-commissions/a-c/community-design-advisory-committee
Halifax Explosion 100th Anniversary Advisory Committee
https://www.halifax.ca/city-hall/boards-committees-commissions/h/halifax-explosion-100th-anniversary-advisory-committee
Active Transportation Advisory Committee
https://www.halifax.ca/city-hall/boards-committees-commissions/a-c/active-transportation-advisory-committee
Transportation Standing Committee
https://www.halifax.ca/city-hall/standing-committees/transportation-standing-committee
Next Meeting September 28th 6:00 pm | Council Chambers, City Hall
Notable Items:
Qualifying Criteria for Traffic Calming Measures
- Motion: That the Transportation Standing Committee recommend that Regional Council direct the CAO to return to Council for approval of the necessary amendments to Administrative Order #2015-004-OP, Respecting Traffic Calming to effect the following:
1. to require the sum of fifty percent of the total number of ballots received plus one ballot for a majority; and
2. to direct that a new poll be undertaken under the revised Administrative Order for those requests that were previously polled and did not achieve a majority as originally defined.
HRM Grants Committee
https://www.halifax.ca/city-hall/boards-committees-commissions/d-g/grants-committee
Halifax Forum
http://www.halifaxforum.ca/
(CACE) The Council on African Canadian Education
http://www.cace.ns.ca/