Michael Bradley

The meeting commenced with procedural rules for the virtual meeting format, followed by introductions from new committee members. The primary discussion centered on Item 4, concerning zoning bylaw amendments (PZ-0321 and 160-90/61-16) related to Short-Term Rental Accommodations (STRAs). Planning staff introduced the proposal to define and regulate STRAs in conjunction with a proposed registry program. Key discussion points included the concept of STRAs within the sharing economy, findings from a review of best practices in other Canadian municipalities (such as Oakville, Vancouver, and Toronto), and the impact of STRAs on housing affordability, availability, and equity among accommodation providers. Staff recommended defining STRAs, requiring a principal residence for operation (including accessory dwelling units), prohibiting STRAs and bed and breakfasts on the same lot, applying existing parking regulations, and requiring registration. Public consultation was scheduled for April 6th. A secondary agenda item regarding technical housekeeping amendments was also mentioned.

The meeting covered procedural protocols for the electronic meeting format, including muting, camera usage, and voting procedures. The primary agenda item involved a consent and minor variance application concerning the severance of a lot at 9 Broad Street (previously merged with 130 Terrace Hill Street) to facilitate the construction of a semi-detached dwelling. The applicant addressed concerns regarding lot conformance, topography, and the need for an exterior staircase encroaching into the front yard. Staff presented a report recommending approval, noting conditions related to grading, drainage, and geotechnical reviews based on retaining wall height. Public input was received, primarily from an adjacent property owner expressing concern over the impact on their private backyard, soil stability, drainage, and construction procedures.

The meeting centered on the presentation of the preliminary 2022 operating budget. Key discussion points included confirming fiscal responsibility, noting the city is at low risk across provincial financial indicator categories and performs better than average in several metrics compared to other municipalities. The budget adhered to the directive of achieving an increase below 2% for the city-controlled portion. Unmet needs for enhanced services, totaling eight requests, were presented for consideration, with the potential for the total municipal budget increase to reach 2.52% if all needs are approved. Specific attention was given to public safety funding requests, including a Red Cross evacuation center agreement, additional firefighters, the mobile security unit continuation, and a red light camera program. Financial sustainability was also discussed, referencing a one-time dividend of $3 million from a property disposition related to the City-County cost share agreement, which provides immediate financial benefit and offsets lost revenues from services impacted by the pandemic. Future budget planning and next steps for budget review sessions were also outlined.

The meeting commenced with the election of the chair and vice chair, resulting in the acclaim of the previous chair and the re-acclaim of the vice chair. Key agenda items included a discussion on the site plan control for 234 Henry Street, involving a phased building development under a master site plan, where staff confirmed incorporation of accessibility comments regarding parking, signage, and pedestrian connections. Another major topic was the status update for the 2025 accessibility plan, which detailed corporate-wide and departmental initiatives implemented from Q4 2024 to Q3 2025. The committee also addressed the 2026 accessibility educational campaign, focusing on the Brford Accessibility Improvements Awards Program, which recognizes contributions to accessibility. The committee approved the proposed timeline and funding request for the 2026 campaign, with nominations due by February 20th and awards to be presented later. Finally, the minutes from the September 18th meeting were approved.

The meeting involved a roll call and a review of the rules for committee meetings, including speaking time limits. The Director of Finance provided an overview of the 2022 operating budget, detailing figures for the total budget ($172,765,864), budget impact after assessment growth (1.73%), and tax impacts across residential, commercial, and industrial categories. Discussion then moved to Step 4a, focusing on the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) operating budget for 2022, which included various departments like Finance, Communications, and Economic Development, showing an overall increase of 1.17%. Key initiatives discussed for the CAO office included continuous improvement, citizen service delivery, cultural building opportunities, and the implementation of an Indigenous Affairs Advisor. A significant portion of the discussion concerned overhead charges and recoveries, particularly concerning costs related to the high water bill reduction program being passed through various departmental budgets. Council members also inquired about efficiencies attributable to Continuous Improvement (CI). Subsequently, the committee reviewed the Fire Department operating budget for 2022 ($20,330,930, a 3.18% increase), highlighting its history of providing fire protection, education, prevention, and emergency response services across six divisions. A comment was made regarding the new Indigenous Relations position potentially becoming a lobbying role, suggesting its removal from the budget.