[0:38] Good afternoon and welcome to our regular city Council meeting.
[0:43] We respectfully acknowledge the province of Newfoundland Labrador, which city
[0:47] of St. John's is the capital city as the ancestral
[0:51] homelands of the biotic. Today these lands are home to
[0:54] a diverse population of indigenous and other peoples. We would
[0:58] also like to acknowledge with respect the diverse histories and
[1:01] cultures of the Mi'kmaq in you Inuits and Southern Inuit.
[1:05] Of this province. The agenda for today's meeting is before
[1:10] you move by Councillor Bruce, seconded by Councillor Rile. Call
[1:17] the question.
[1:44] Is carriage. There is. Just to correct that. There is
[1:50] two additions. To the agenda. To new business. That is
[1:59] the report I'm revenue and expenditures for fiscal 2025. And
[2:03] the ratification of the collective agreement between the City of
[2:06] St. John's and Cupi local 569. Move the amendment to
[2:14] the. Agenda. Move by Deputy Mayor Ellsworth, second to buy
[2:20] Councillor Davis. Call the question.
[2:41] Your vote for me there, please.
[3:27] Motion's carried.
[3:39] Development applications. Variants for accessory ability. For the Minutes. Just
[3:47] in minutes. Sorry, back to the minutes. The minutes for
[3:54] October August 11th, 2026. Are before you. Moved by Constar
[4:01] Cattig in Second of Bay Councillor Earl. Call the question.
[4:22] Motions carried. Development Applications. Variance for accessory building, 444 Matix
[4:32] Cove Road Councillor Rod. Thank you, your warship. This is
[4:37] to seek approval for variance to an accessory building. Area
[4:41] at 444 Maddox Cove Road. An application was received to
[4:46] Construct and Accessory Building at 444 Maddox Cove Road. The
[4:51] applicant is requesting a non - percent variant on the
[4:55] accessory building area to allow an area of 179. 86
[5:01] metres squared. For a residential use. The accessory building areas
[5:05] limited to lesser of 10 percent of the lot area
[5:10] or 75 percent of the residential Building for print. Section
[5:15] 7. 4 of the St. John's Development Regulations allows Council
[5:19] to grant the variants from the applicable requirements to a
[5:25] maximum of 10 percent if the cumulative effect of all
[5:29] variants on the lot is not greater than 10 percent.
[5:33] Notices were issued to abiding property owners as well as
[5:37] posted on the City website and posted into location City
[5:42] Hall and the City Hall and XNOS missions were received.
[5:46] So the recommendation is that Council approve a 9 -
[5:50] percent variance on the accessory building at 444 Maddox Cove
[5:54] Road. To allow for an area of 179. 86 square
[6:00] metres. Second of all, Councillor Earl. Comments. Call a question.
[6:29] Deputy Mayor. Yeah, keep kicking me out.
[6:39] All the favourite. Motion's carried.
[6:49] 99 New Co - Furrows. Councillor Ryle. Thank you, Warshif.
[6:59] A change of nonconform issues, application has been submitted for
[7:03] 199 New Cove Road. The application proposed a change of
[7:08] nonconforming use from a retail to bakery. The bakery would
[7:12] occupy a floor area of 76. 5 metres squared and
[7:16] operate Monday to Saturday, 8 a. m. to 8 p.
[7:19] m. Debacrie would operate on an order fulfillment basis. Orders
[7:24] will be received online and delivered to customers. There will
[7:28] be, would be now storefront for public visitation. Parking would
[7:34] be provided on site. The African site is on residential
[7:37] R1. Five submissions were received of which four were in
[7:41] support while won opposed wanted it to remain a convenience
[7:46] store. Of those in support, the only concern was to
[7:50] potential impact of noise from the exhaust fan from the
[7:53] commercial kitchen. So the recommendation is that council approved the
[8:00] change for non - conforming use to allow proposed bakery
[8:03] at 99 New Cove Road. Second of all, Councillor Davis.
[8:10] Comments. Call the question.
[8:22] S carried. 50 Monday Pound Road. Council ORR. Thank you
[8:28] a warship. The discretionary use application has been submitted for
[8:34] Morgan Enterprise Limited for 50 Monday Pond Road. The application
[8:38] is for the expansion of an existing medical clinic for
[8:42] an additional 381 metre squared area. The total floor area
[8:47] would be 2, 476 metres squared. And hours of evaporation
[8:52] will remain Monday to Friday, 8 a. m. to 8
[8:55] p. m. Parking is provided on site. The applicant site
[8:59] is owned industrial commercial. So the recommendation is Council Proved
[9:06] Extension to the existing medical clinic use at 50 Mondround
[9:10] Pond Road, which is a discretionary use. Second to buy
[9:16] Councillor Nosworthy. Councillor Brian. Is this for. An extension to
[9:22] the building or interior fiddle. Uh. You worship.
[9:34] print of a building. Any further comments. Questions.
[9:44] Call a question.
[9:59] S carried. 65 Glen Air Street. Councillor Rod. Thank you,
[10:07] your warship. Request to relieve one parking space for residential
[10:12] dwelling unit at 65 Glener Street. An application was submitted
[10:16] at 65 Linear Street to add an additional subsidiary dwelling
[10:21] unit to the existing single detached dwelling. As per section
[10:25] 8. 3 of the envision St. John's Development Regulations, one
[10:29] parking space is required for east residential dwelling unit. The
[10:34] property has four stacked parking spaces. Park and relief for
[10:38] one space is requested for a secondary subsecretary dwelling unit.
[10:43] Parking Relief rational is at the driveway allows for stack
[10:47] parking and the property is within walking distance to multiple
[10:52] bus routes and amenities. As per section 8. 12 of
[10:56] the development regulations were an applicant wishes to provide a
[10:59] different number of parking spaces other than those required Council's
[11:03] child request a parking report. Where in the opinion of
[11:07] council the requested change does not marry to PROC ME
[11:11] 4 Council may accept the staff report which is presented
[11:14] as a decision note. The recommendation is that Council approved
[11:20] parking relief for warm parking space at 65 Glennier Street
[11:24] to allow for a second subsecurity dwelling unit. Second of
[11:31] our councillor Bruce. Councillor Hickman. It says there's four spaces
[11:36] there now. So this sounds like it's the third unit
[11:40] though. Or is this now the 50 on it.
[11:53] It says there's four stack, right? There's four spaces are
[11:56] now. They want relief for one space. So that means
[12:00] they still have four spaces. But each unit needs one
[12:03] space. So I don't understand. Are there already four spaces
[12:06] in that four units in the house. Uh, you worship.
[12:15] We don't, uh. Acknowledge stacked parking as parking. So the
[12:19] driveway is heavy enough run by the stacked. Stack parking
[12:23] requires coordination with other units in the dwelling. So while
[12:26] this physically the space is there. And we put that
[12:28] in the note for council's considerations that you know, they
[12:31] won't end up on the street or whatever. There is
[12:33] parking. But from our regulation stack parking is not really
[12:39] parking that we consider. So I believe this is just
[12:42] one subsidiary U and or a third unit. Yeah. We
[12:50] further comments, questions. Call a question.
[13:17] Of Davis. Nope. Motion's carried.
[13:27] 167 Babel's wrote, Councillor Royal. Thank you, your worship. A
[13:34] change of nonconforming use application has been submitted for 167
[13:38] Babel's Road to proposed application is for a change in
[13:43] the restaurant hours of operation, which is an existing nonconforming
[13:47] use at this location. The new application applicant is proposing
[13:53] revised hours of Operation from 11 a. m. to 7
[13:56] p. m. Seven days a week. This is an extended
[14:00] from the currently approved hours of 3 p. m. to
[14:04] 9 p. m. Tuesday to Friday. And 10 a. m.
[14:07] to 8 p. m. on Saturday. The floor area would
[14:11] be 90 metres squared on on - site parking is
[14:13] provided. The applicant site is owned commercial neighbourhood. One submission
[14:18] was received which supported the proposal and encouraged more development
[14:23] of its kind in the area. So the recommendation is
[14:29] a council - proved to revise hours of operation. For
[14:32] the existing nonconforming use at 167 Bables Road, which would
[14:37] allow the restaurant to operate seven days a week from
[14:40] 11am to 7pm. Second to buy, Councillor Cadigan. Any comments.
[14:51] Got a question.
[15:04] S carried. Development permits lists and building permits lists are
[15:10] there for your... before you, for your parousal. Requisitions, payrolls
[15:17] and accounts. The payments. Weekly payment vouchers for the weeks
[15:26] ending August 12th and August 19th. 2026. Moved by Councillor
[15:32] Bruce. Seconded by Deputy Mayor. Call a question.
[15:49] S carried. Contracts awarded July 21st
[15:59] and July 28th, provided for your information. Notice his motion
[16:07] resolutions questions, petitions. No business. Observance
[16:17] of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation September 30th, 2026.
[16:24] Thank you, worship. We just need to get counsel's approval
[16:27] to observe the national diaphrag truth in reconciliation in line
[16:30] with federal and provincial governments. Out of way falls on
[16:33] September 30th. And has been observed by the city for
[16:37] several years. These observance will suspend services and caused municipal
[16:41] billing to Phillies. Direction is required for frapness must plan
[16:46] for courtingly. So I moved that we accept that your
[16:48] worship. Second to buy. Councillor Rile. Comments.
[16:58] Councillor Davis. A question, if staff work on that day,
[17:03] is it an overtime paid holiday. Once you need to.
[17:12] So is that included in the 510, 000 dollar. Before
[17:19] the comments. Call a question.
[17:31] Carried. Special events regulatory committee 2026 summer event 6. Councillor
[17:39] Bruce. Thank you, Worship. Seeking Council approval for the following
[17:43] low closures associated with these, I think it's three events.
[17:48] The first one is Uniform Services Ron Provincial Marathon. Scheduled
[17:52] to take place on Sunday, September the 13th. All roads
[17:55] will be open after the last runners. The start finish
[17:57] for this event will take place in Barring Park to
[17:59] accommodate runner safety. There will be several lane reductions and
[18:03] road closures in place. Closure will be implemented by experienced
[18:06] race marshals and the road closures are listed below. Gower
[18:09] Street Block Party scheduled to take place in September 13th,
[18:12] rain date of the 20th. A Block Party organised by
[18:14] the four churches in the area. They're requesting to close
[18:17] Gawer Street from Cathedral Street to Church Hill from 11
[18:19] a. m. to 2 p. m. and volunteers will be
[18:22] positioned on barricades. And the Kery Street block party scheduled
[18:26] to take place on September the 19th. The rain date
[18:28] of the 20th. A block party organised by the residents
[18:30] of the area. Their requesting to close Carrie Street from
[18:33] Aragol Street, the Porsche of Colf Road from 11 a.
[18:36] m. to 3 p. m. Volunteers will be positioned on
[18:39] barricades and local vehicle and emergency access will be granted.
[18:42] Sorry, the four. Battle of Britain parade and ceremony scheduled
[18:47] to take place on Sunday, September the 20th. Roe closures
[18:49] will be implemented by the RNC and the military police
[18:52] and the royal closures are relisted below their role enclosures.
[18:56] Starting at the CLB. And Terry Fox runs scheduled to
[18:59] take place in September 20th around Kitty Bitty Lake, the
[19:01] organisers are requesting the closure from Chancey Drive from Carnell
[19:05] to Lakeview Avenue and from Lakeview Avenue to Forest Road
[19:09] from 9 a. m. to 1 p. m. So I'll
[19:11] move that we approve the road closures associated with the
[19:15] following events uniform services, run provincial marathon on September 13th.
[19:19] Gary Street Block Party on September the 30th. Carrie Street
[19:22] Block Party in September the 90s Battle of Britain parade
[19:25] and ceremony on September 20th and Terry Fox run on
[19:28] September the 20th. Councillor Cattigan. I live on one of
[19:34] the streets that might be closing so I think I
[19:36] have to abstain from voting. Potentially. It's a question.
[19:49] Um, yeah, I mean the confident interest refers to a
[19:54] special interest. So, um, kind of got to judge that
[19:57] for yourself. I think you would be fine if you
[20:00] decided to cut conflict. I think that that would be
[20:02] appropriate. But again, if you think you can be objective
[20:04] about it, it's a different manner. So it's generally like
[20:09] it would affect all the people on the street in
[20:11] the same way. So is a broader broadcast of people
[20:15] who are experiencing the road closures versus if it was
[20:18] just like affecting your house specifically. So I think you're
[20:21] okay to go ahead and vote on it. But obviously
[20:25] it's ultimately your decision to do so. Okay. Second to
[20:32] buy Councillor Catigan. Any comments. Call
[20:42] a question.
[20:52] S carried. 105 Messenger Drive interprets zone lines. Councillor Davis.
[21:02] So we're voting to interpret the zone lines at 105
[21:04] Messenger Drive. Between commercial chemount and open space, reflecting the
[21:09] determination that the wetland in the area is not rated
[21:12] highly enough to be a protected wetland. It's owned by
[21:15] Bristol Development Inc. who want to develop it. It's mostly
[21:18] zoned open space. With a small portion zone commercial came
[21:22] out. And it's designed open space within the minister plan.
[21:27] Current length of mesh drive ends here with the proposals
[21:30] to one day extend the road for further north. Jason
[21:34] is the yellow Marsh wetland system. And, uh, the wetland
[21:37] boarding of Parsegun, the subject property did not rank high
[21:40] enough and is therefore no longer protected wetland. City staff
[21:44] reviewed the subject property determined if the need for public
[21:47] open space here aside from the wetland issue. The stream
[21:50] that flows through the area has a one in 100
[21:52] year floodplain and a 15 metre buffer on each side
[21:54] of it. And that will remain reserved from future development.
[21:58] No CD division expressed interests in 105 mission to drive
[22:02] for active or passive open space. Therefore, the only thing
[22:04] keeping the existing open space zone on the property is
[22:07] the former status of the protected wet line, which is
[22:09] now removed. Since the wetland on the subject property is
[22:13] no longer protected, then the zone line between CK and
[22:16] ozones can be interpreted to follow the floodplain buffer of
[22:19] the stream. Therefore the chief minister planner interprets his own
[22:22] lines thus. It will be changes made to the missile
[22:25] plan. The province administers St. John's urban regional regions regional
[22:31] plan and applies the public open space designation and the
[22:34] yellow marsh area. At the scale of the regional plans
[22:37] future land use map this change will be virtually invisible.
[22:40] There is a wider issue with regional plan which city
[22:43] staff will address with Council soon when the regional plans
[22:46] map was converted from a paper format to digital, the
[22:48] public open space designation was applied to many more lands
[22:51] in St. John's and originally included. Under the previous map,
[22:55] this area was designated as urban development and there would
[22:58] have been no concerns over a zone line interpretation. Extended
[23:01] the public open space rezoning, sorry, mapping, creating, created the
[23:06] time pressures and other problems when council considered several rezoning
[23:09] since the regional plan map was digitized. Staff, we'll bring
[23:12] forward a motion to council in future with the detail
[23:14] map of proposed changes to the regional plan map, the
[23:18] intent of which will apply appropriate designations, remove friction points
[23:21] with our municipal plan designation and land use zones and
[23:24] reduce processing time for some future rezonings. So actually we're
[23:30] not voting on this. Conclusion next steps. Chief Minister Planner
[23:33] interprets his own line at 105 Messenger Drive to change
[23:35] the boundary between CK Zone and OpenSpace Zone to run
[23:39] along the floodplain buffer of the one 100 year floodline
[23:42] of the stream that flows nearby corresponding changes will be
[23:45] made in the to the future land use map of
[23:48] the Envision St. John's municipal plan affecting the boundary between
[23:50] the commercial district and the open space district. So there.
[23:58] Oh, it's an information note. Any comments. None.
[24:09] Forest road interprets own lines, Councillor Davis. So this is
[24:16] an information note. We're going to interpret zone lines affecting
[24:18] 245 Forest Road, which is a City - owned property.
[24:21] We have identified the property at 245 Forest Road as
[24:25] a potential site for new affordable housing. This is part
[24:27] of the have fund championed by the federal government, which
[24:30] has provided funding to the city to increase supply of
[24:32] housing, including affordable housing. Runs the long forest road crossing
[24:36] from the intersection with Kuckuckle's Cove Road. And we're Forest
[24:40] Road ends and KDVD Village starts. It is open line
[24:43] with grass and trees sloping down from the road towards
[24:45] Kitty BD Lake. There was a trail there. The west
[24:48] is the City's nonprofit housing. To the east or houses,
[24:53] which are privately owned or owned by NL housing. Subject
[24:57] property has approximately 166 metres of frontage along Forest Road,
[25:00] of which approximately 111 metres is zoned open space. And
[25:03] the other 55 metres zoned R1. We've initiated processed to
[25:07] consider rezoning part of 245 forest road for affordable housing.
[25:11] If the land is rezoned in future, the City will
[25:13] issue a request for proposals for groups to bid on
[25:15] the land for affordable housing. So in future, it is
[25:18] possible that the Ar Roden Zone will change to another
[25:21] zone for higher density housing. There was a path that
[25:24] runs down there so that City Cruz can get access
[25:27] to our suit's lift station. The current boundary between the
[25:30] R1 zone and the ozone cuts across this path. As
[25:33] it is a physical feature that has existed for decades,
[25:36] the PATS intersection with Forest Road provides a useful place
[25:38] to mark the boundary. Moving the zone line allows several
[25:42] more metres of frontage. To allow for more sensibility design
[25:45] and affordable housing. So as a result, the chief municipal
[25:49] planner can interpret the boundary line between R1Z and ozone
[25:54] so that 245 forest road is zoned. R1 is far
[25:57] east as the point where the path that provides access
[25:59] behind 179 Forest Road Inch DeX Road. And the remainder
[26:03] of the open space zone at 245 Forest Road remains
[26:05] in place. Corresponding changes will be made to the envision
[26:08] St. John's municipal plan map for boundaries between the residential
[26:11] district and open SPETS district. So the conclusion next steps
[26:15] is at 245 Forest Road, the zone boundary between R1
[26:19] Zone and Ozone. Is extended east to the point where
[26:22] the excess path behind 179 Forest Road meets the road
[26:26] corresponding changes will be made to the future land use
[26:29] map of the Envisions St. John's Municipal Plan. And this
[26:31] accords with the rules of zone interpretation section 10 -
[26:35] 3 of the vision St. John's Development RECS. For your
[26:39] information. Thank you very much Councillor Davis. 15 other business.
[26:48] Report I'm revenue and expenditures for 2025. Deputy Mayor. Thank
[26:55] you, your worship. By the way, the adoption of the
[27:00] executive summary and report of expendience for year ending December
[27:04] 31st, 2025. The St. John's 2025 Executive Summary Report and
[27:10] Revenue on Expanded Shares is presented and discussed here in.
[27:14] It is important to distinguish between the executive submarine report
[27:18] report in this note. And if financial statements that were
[27:22] adopted back in June. The other finance stables have prepared
[27:25] using accrual based accounting, whereas the executive sub report while
[27:30] still based on others is presented using the base accounting.
[27:35] The City's Budget is prepared using cash - based accounting,
[27:39] meaning the financial results presented area in all the cities
[27:43] accountable to the approved operating budget. This supports the city's
[27:47] commitment to openness and transparency. Isn't nothing that the budget
[27:52] is presented in the executive report in the city's disgusted
[27:55] budget. The adjustable budget is the original approved budget. Adjusted
[27:59] to reflect a transfers and changes that occur throughout the
[28:02] year for items not known in the budget. These adjustments
[28:08] are reflective of one - off transactions which net to
[28:10] zero and do not result in a permanent increase in
[28:13] City's budget. So as you go down through, we worship
[28:17] your seed as a number of items that contribute to
[28:21] changes in our financial statement ending 2025. Nothing here that
[28:27] the ordinary, just regular type anomalies. And they're all detailed
[28:32] there in the report for anybody that wishes to have
[28:35] a look at them. I think the feat that we
[28:37] would like to identify here is in the table below
[28:41] there shows that cities communicate as if there's ever 31st,
[28:47] 2025 currently is at 2. 6 million dollars. The
[28:57] council looking for just skip number to be here for
[29:00] a second. Yeah, so
[29:11] the 2025 city reports that operating cash surplus of 6.
[29:16] 7 million, which equates to a 1. 8 percent variant.
[29:22] Just a budget of 378 million dollars. So I moved
[29:32] the Councillor Dr. Sub Report on Revenue Expendiers for the
[29:37] Year Ending December 31st, 2025. And approved preserving the 20.
[29:42] 6 million in accumulative surplus as a contingency, so moved.
[29:47] Second to buy Councillor Noesworthy. Just like to say that
[29:54] I'm very pleased with the results for 2025. I think
[29:57] the staff at all levels here in the city for
[30:00] the work that they've done over 2025. If you look
[30:05] at the total budget of 378 million, they have a
[30:09] 6. 7 million dollar. Surplus. You're about 1. 8 percent.
[30:13] Of the budget, which is a pretty good budgeting. Especially
[30:19] when you consider that it was that surplus was made
[30:22] up of a combination of increased expenditures in modest increases.
[30:28] In revenue, sorry. And decreases and expenditures on the expenditure
[30:33] side. So, uh, it's, um, it puts us in good
[30:38] financial state where Deputy Mayor just pointed out that our
[30:44] accumulated surplus now, surround 20. 6 million. Uh, that we've
[30:49] accumulated over the last number of years. Uh, which gives
[30:52] the sun flexibility, uh, within our finances. Uh, for things
[30:57] that, uh, that happened at around plant. Uh, which, which
[31:03] we have to be, uh, prepared for the, those possibilities
[31:06] as well. So just want to thank all the staff,
[31:10] this particularly our staff and our finance department for the
[31:12] work that they've done, uh, but staff right through the
[31:15] whole organisation for their focus on, um, on creating efficiencies
[31:20] within our system. Need further comments.
[31:34] Adoption move by. Gupt mover in seconder? Forgot that. Called
[31:40] the question. Two efficient.
[31:59] Carries. Collective agreements. Reached with QP local 569, Deputy Mayor.
[32:10] I thank you, your worship. A big afford of Councillor
[32:14] Raddify negotiated collective agreement to a cities and John's and
[32:17] QP 569. The City, Akibi 569, have reached the terrific
[32:22] collective agreement for the period of July 1st, 2026. June
[32:27] 30th, 2030. The union, ratify degree, but August the 12th,
[32:32] 2026. It has now been brought to council for our
[32:35] ratification vote. In addition to some language changes that will
[32:39] create an operation efficiencies, the key terms of the agreement,
[32:44] it's a four - year agreement. We identify the wage
[32:47] increases there at four percent year one. 2. 25 year
[32:51] two, 3. 25 in year three. 3. 5 in year
[32:56] four. Total cough stuff to negotiate at gender wage. Increase
[33:00] over four years. Is eight million five hundred seventy three
[33:03] thousand. With the city bonus in place. So I want
[33:09] to move the Council Ratify, the negotiated collective agreements. We
[33:13] see John's AQP by six nine. And I'll speak to
[33:17] a quick day before I move on. Second to buy.
[33:21] Councillor Hickman. Deputy Mayor. Thank you, Horship. First of all,
[33:27] I want to thank teams on both sides. Obviously, uh,
[33:31] disability law, projective process. I think at our table, we
[33:35] started discussions back in December. About the upcoming negotiations and
[33:39] contract discussions. Uh, the negotiating team from both sides started
[33:44] back in May. I worked through the summer to come
[33:48] to terms on a negotiated agreement that gives us certainly
[33:53] what our employees for the next four years. But also
[33:56] gives our taxpayer certainly for programs of services. We provide
[34:00] it for the next four years. When you look at
[34:03] the overall cost of the salary increases compared to the
[34:08] total budget of the city, while it is, obviously the
[34:13] number that we're watching and managing and trying to manage
[34:16] extensives is important that we also understand that we shouldn't
[34:20] sit at the table with any arrogance that we don't
[34:24] think our employees could go somewhere else or to find
[34:27] deployment somewhere else. And, you know, we are still struggling
[34:31] within the workforces to maintain a workforce. We're still having,
[34:36] uh, positions that we're still trying to fill in vacancies.
[34:40] Um, this disagreement is comparable to other municipalist valleys, uh,
[34:44] be it grandfalls. My girl ourselves. Uh, so it also
[34:49] shows that in the community, um, what would be brought
[34:54] to the table. And what it does, it allows us
[34:58] to continue to provide solid programming to our residents. Our
[35:04] Recreation Family stay open. Our dollar service and program that
[35:08] are there for our youth for our seniors. These all
[35:10] things, you know, cumulusly add value certainly to the city.
[35:18] Oh, and saying that, that's it for me. And I
[35:21] appreciate the, uh. Thank you very much, Eppan Mayor. Any
[35:25] comments. Councillor Davis. So I want to make something really
[35:32] clear. I'm going to be voting against this. Ratification. And
[35:37] it's not a vote against the employees to see St.
[35:39] John's or management. I know everybody worked hard to try
[35:42] and come to resolution. I know the environment was difficult.
[35:45] With other municipalities setting very high bar. And I respect
[35:49] all our employees. And the work they do every day.
[35:52] And the essential work that they do every day. And
[35:54] I also believe that they deserve fair competitive compensation. But
[36:01] I lie awake at night thinking about the other responsibility
[36:05] we have. Which is to the residents and the people
[36:09] who pay for those services. And the long - term
[36:14] cost of this. And I know that we just demonstrated
[36:16] that we, you know, we had good financial results, but
[36:19] of course we did increase taxes by four point spending
[36:22] by 4. 8 percent. And by default, because we have
[36:25] a balanced budget by 4. 8 percent. And I know
[36:31] staff worked hard to come in. On budget. And the
[36:38] wage increases a four percent. 2. 25 next year, 3.
[36:43] 25 following year and 3. 5 percent. They add up
[36:46] to be 13 percent. And the last four years, it
[36:52] was 11 percent last year. It was 3. 5 percent
[36:55] raise in July. And as that works its way through
[36:59] the system, testimated it's going to cost about 10. 6
[37:02] million dollars extra per year by 2029. So where's the
[37:07] money coming from? Obviously, he's coming from taxpayers. And we
[37:13] often say, well, the mill rate isn't changing. But of
[37:15] course success value is. So it's still hitting people. And
[37:18] property that you own is increasing in value, which makes
[37:21] you wealthier. But you can't, it's not a bank. You
[37:23] can't withdraw money from a competitor taxes. And one of
[37:25] the line items in our revenue was over 600, 000
[37:28] dollars in extro arrear's interests. So to me, that kind
[37:32] of says that some people are struggling to be able
[37:35] to pay their taxes more than we estimated would. There
[37:39] was also the impact on businesses who pay 20 over
[37:42] 29 percent, 2. 9 percent on the property that they
[37:47] contributed. And we know their environment is challenging. And that
[37:50] also factors into it. And then of to even renters
[37:54] are impacted, of course, because they're renting, but the people
[37:58] or businesses that own their property, they will pass along
[38:01] that attacks. And one good thing that concerns me is
[38:04] small landowners who have one apartment in their home. They
[38:07] may absorb the increases over time. But there could be
[38:10] a tipping point when we raise taxes just enough that
[38:13] all of a sudden the major correction. And we hear
[38:15] stories of people going from affordable rent. To large jumps
[38:19] up to market rent. And I worry about the impacts
[38:21] of that. And we know the businesses, great jobs. And
[38:26] we know that people need places to live. So, um,
[38:32] I struggle and I know that the money has to
[38:35] come from somewhere. And, um, and I know we have
[38:38] to keep doing our job. And, you know, for me,
[38:42] it's the environment is very uncertain. Of course, we're dealing
[38:44] with the trade war that we're living within. And the
[38:50] employees deserve fairness and it's challenge. I know all my
[38:54] colleagues really struggled. And, you know, my message is basically
[38:59] employees are a fairness. Residents deserve affordability. Business deserve competitiveness.
[39:04] Renters deserve affordable housing. Future taxpayers deserve a city that
[39:07] maintains the financial flexibility. So for me, it's resilience. Have
[39:11] we spent all weekend spend and maybe a little bit
[39:13] more with this collective agreement and other contracts that we
[39:16] negotiate with private contract. There's other people. I think that's
[39:20] where we're, I think right now we're right at that
[39:22] threshold. And I'm, I'm concerned about the future. And I
[39:28] just feel overall that we've taken away flexibility that we
[39:32] probably will wish we had as we move forward. Thank
[39:36] you. Further comment.
[39:53] I want to thank Councillor Davis for those comments. And
[39:57] really when you break it down like that. It's hard
[40:01] to not pay attention to that. And so I won't
[40:07] be voting in favor of this either. Thank you. For
[40:16] that comments. And like it's making any worship. Deputy Mayor.
[40:25] I think you woke up. No, so I guess this
[40:31] concerning comments from Councillor Dave's about the interest rare indicator
[40:36] that people are in trouble. That's not correct. Um, we
[40:39] are very conservative in how we budget for our interest
[40:42] arreers. We never budget for people to be passed through
[40:45] or behind. And we see the same thing happening a
[40:49] few years ago when the Vic plotter was bullied with
[40:51] the bankruptcy billing through a health for a period of
[40:53] time. And then what the counts got cleared up, we
[40:58] received extra indicating interests from there. So no interests, not
[41:04] an indication of that piece. With regard to the expense
[41:09] that we've occur or are incurring, um, you know, as
[41:13] we continue to build our budgets and bring our budget
[41:17] forward, we are very cognizable. Every dollar that we're looking
[41:20] at every dollar we spend. If you look at like,
[41:24] see, we just bought four to 2025 budget. Pretty well
[41:27] bounced a budget. Um, we anticipated some of these increases
[41:30] as we're building the budgets for 26, 27. So there's
[41:34] the, you know, there's nothing here. That's unknown to us
[41:38] in self facets. And I would encourage people not to
[41:42] be two shell shocked by the commentary, um, we're, we're,
[41:46] we're building in 2027 budget. And I'm very optimistic at
[41:50] where we're going to land in 2027 budget. And hopefully
[41:53] as we bring forward early to follow with, they'll indicate
[41:56] to the community where we are. But you know, it
[42:00] is also about investing in our community. It's about investing
[42:03] in our programs and services. Affordability in the cities, not
[42:07] only the taxation piece, uh, I think your worship, you
[42:11] can regularly taxation around 70 percent of our revenue, but
[42:16] also there are other things we do within our budget
[42:18] to maintain affordability. For example, what Metrobus, we have increased
[42:22] DDS in Metrobus for years. If we understand the need
[42:25] for transit for individuals, they'll be able to get to
[42:28] a front work and invest in those programs. We continued
[42:32] strongly in our programs for our seniors to make sure
[42:36] that Daniel are healthy living quality of life within our
[42:39] city. We investivally in a recreation program through our youth.
[42:43] Heptical program to help provide sports through families and communities.
[42:47] None of that would be possible if we never had
[42:51] a strong contingent workforce. They was able really willing and
[42:55] able to be able to work and provide service and
[42:57] programs. The wild, at the Lee for Finance, I watch
[43:02] every penny. And certainly cognizant of every penny that we're
[43:04] doing. Isn't that just the situation of a linear decision
[43:08] about tax increase salaries? We also work at the impact
[43:13] and the benefits of not doing programs and services, not
[43:16] delivering and not having people come to the table. So
[43:19] for me, this is making fossil's not a struggle. So,
[43:23] uh, you know, I didn't struggle through this process. I
[43:25] certainly step back and took all the information that we
[43:27] had. Took the, uh, the increased salaries competitiveness, fair ways
[43:33] for our employees, but also trying to provide good benefits
[43:35] for our taxpayers. And I feel, I feel very, I
[43:39] guess I feel satisfied and comfortable that we've landed somewhere
[43:42] that we can balance all this out. Look after our
[43:44] employees look after our residents and make sure we have
[43:47] a city to people or after you live in. Thank
[43:50] you. Thank you. Any further comments. Call a question.
[44:16] Motions carriage, eight to two. That is our regular
[44:26] portion of our agenda. Councillor Cadigan. Thank you. Uh, your
[44:31] worship. Um, this summer, I'm sure many of my colleagues
[44:36] and I've also received many emails from residents who are
[44:40] concerned about e - bikes and other motorized bikes on
[44:45] our streets. And while we are quite limited within the
[44:48] city to regulate their use, the provincial government is conducting
[44:52] a feedback study to help inform their decision making on
[44:57] the highway traffic act. And they're specifically looking for the
[45:01] public's feedback on e - bikes e - scooters and
[45:04] other micromobility devices. So I wanted to encourage folks, um,
[45:08] who have feedback to share, um, to go on the
[45:12] engage NL page or email road safety feedback at gov.
[45:17] nl. ca to share their opinion and their feedback to
[45:23] help inform the provincial government. And I also wanted to,
[45:26] I think this is our last meeting before school starts
[45:28] again, which is kind of hard to believe, um, wish
[45:31] everyone the best of luck back to school. I wish
[45:35] you a very successful school year. Thank you. Councillor Hickman.
[45:40] So on a mention, one display that's on at the
[45:43] Fluvarium, uh, is columnity engine. And that's a great hands
[45:48] - on exhibit for young people to learn about the
[45:51] body human body. And it's in cooperation with the organ
[45:55] donation. Canada. And it's a really interesting and engaging display
[46:01] for young people, I must say. I was quite impressed
[46:04] when I saw it. On the goal till September 14th.
[46:07] So come and visit the Sloverium to see that. And
[46:09] all the other exhibits. Councillor Ryle. Councillor Bruce. Councillor Halley.
[46:16] Councillor Knowsburg. Thank you, Mayor. Uh, Building on Councillor Catigan's
[46:22] point about back to school. We've got a back to
[46:24] school cleanup that Calhoun Hoots Elementary, myself and MHA Keith
[46:27] Wade are going to be hosting that this Saturday, uh,
[46:30] 10 a. m. So come on out. It's going to
[46:32] be a great time to, uh, tidy up our community
[46:35] and, uh, hope to see as many folks out there
[46:36] as possible. Thank you so much. Councillor Davis. I just
[46:43] so parents. Don't freak out. I think we're actually meeting
[46:47] one more time before school. I think, I think we're
[46:50] meeting on the eighth, right? Yes next time. Yeah. Okay,
[46:53] cool. Um, again, it's beautiful day out there today. And
[46:57] for those of us who are really busy all summer,
[46:59] I'm going to try and enjoy the next week and
[47:02] a half. And I hope people can get out and
[47:04] enjoy the nice weather. The last little bit with the
[47:06] PED mall to, of course. And so, uh, just thank
[47:10] everybody for. Everything they to do every day to make
[47:13] our city such a beautiful place. Councillor. Nothing. Meeting adjourned.