2019-07-16 Growth Committee Agenda Packet - OpenCity of Saint John
Growth Committee - Open Session
AGENDA
Tuesday, July 16, 2019
10:00 am
8th Floor Common Council Chamber (Ludlow Room), City Hall
1. Call to Order
Pages
1.1 Approval of Minutes - May 14, 2019 1 -3
1.2 Growing in Saint John - James Crosby, President, Crosby Molasses Co. Ltd.
1.3 Municipal Accommodation Levy Update
4-15
1.4 Growth Reserve Fund Request - Community Standards Program 16-18
1.5 Priority Infrastructure Projects (Verbal)
Growth Committee Meeting
Open Session
May 14, 2019
MINUTES- OPEN SESSION GROWTH COMMITTEE MEETING
MAY 14, 2019 AT 11:15 A. M.
8T" FLOOR COMMON COUNCIL CHAMBER (Ludlow Room), CITY HALL
Present: Mayor D. Darling
Deputy Mayor McAlary
Councillor J. MacKenzie
Absent: Councillor R. Strowbridge
Councillor B. Armstrong
Also
Present: City Manager J. Collin
Commissioner Growth and Community Development J. Hamilton
Deputy Commissioner Building and Inspection Services A. Poffenroth
Deputy Commissioner Growth and Community Development P. Ouellette
Population Growth Manager D. Dobbelsteyn
Administrative Assistant K. Tibbits
1. Meeting Called To Order
Mayor Darling called the Growth Committee open session meeting to order
1.1 Approval of Minutes—April 16, 2019
Moved by Deputy Mayor McAlary, seconded by Councillor MacKenzie:
RESOLVED that the minutes of April 16, 2019 be approved.
MOTION CARRIED.
1.2 Growine in Saint John Presentation — Glen Hicks. U Station
The Growing in Saint John series shares success stories in the City and provides an opportunity
to profile local businesses, leaders, newcomers, investors, and entrepreneurs. Mr. Ouellette
introduced Mr. Hicks, co-owner of U Station.
Referring to the submitted report, Mr. Hicks stated that U Station is a productivity business, is
membership based, provides members with great spaces, great technology and great
connections, and endless opportunities for networking. Franchise opportunities will be
available across the Atlantic Provinces. As membership grows in Saint John, additional space
will be developed to meet increased membership demands. Expansion will include the addition
of U -Pods which offer similar capabilities for a single user, popular for podcasting and video
conferencing. Members also have the ability to book private spaces for meetings through the
U -Station app. The digital economy provides an opportunity to attract people to Saint John
who are employed elsewhere, who will benefit from lower housing costs and countless lifestyle
opportunities, offering a significant economic impact to the area.
Moved by Deputy Mayor McAlary, seconded by Councillor MacKenzie:
RESOLVED that the presentation on U -Stations be received for information.
Growth Committee Meeting
Open Session
May 14, 2019
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1.3 Neiehbourhood Plan Update
Ms. Hamilton stated that the Central Peninsula Neighbourhood Plan offers a suite of
deliverables, including new regulatory framework to drive the three pillars of growth outcomes
identified in the Roadmap for Smart Growth. The plan is taking root in the community.
Referring to the submitted report, Ms. Brown provided an update on the Central Peninsula
Neighbourhood Plan including the status of the plan and next steps in the process. Kate Gillis,
Chair of the Neighbourhood Action Team, noted that the team remains engaged and
committed to the project. The Neighbourhood Action Team will play a pivotal role in the
development of the plan and will review the final document, provide feedback and
endorsement of the plan, prior to the Council process.
Moved by Councillor MacKenzie, seconded by Deputy Mayor McAlary:
RESOLVED that the Neighbourhood Plan Update be received for information.
to] II l0refflS S 149
1.4 Discover Saint John Annual Report
Referring to the submitted report, Ms. Clarke, Discover Saint John, outlined many of their
achievements. In 2018, Discover SJ has shown a valuable return on investment stemming from
its strategic destination marketing and sales by increasing visitor revenue and contributing to
industry employment. Discover SJ focuses on four major pillars — Meetings and Conventions,
Sports and Major Events, Travel Trade and Cruise, and Leisure Visitation.
The perception of the City as a destination, to work, play and live is becoming more positive.
The hashtag #SaintAwesome has been very successful and approximately 40,000 images have
been tagged through social media. Investment in tourism and marketing promotes Saint John
as a great place to live, go to school, and invest, and has contributed to a rise in civic pride.
Successful destination marketing and sales drives broader economic growth and helps to
attract more and better transportation choices, creates familiarity among prospective visitors,
attracts event decision makers, and improves the quality of life for residents.
Moved by Deputy Mayor McAlary, seconded by Councillor MacKenzie:
RESOLVED that presentation from Discover Saint John be received for information.
MOTION CARRIED.
Adjournment
Moved by Deputy Mayor McAlary, seconded by Councillor MacKenzie:
RESOLVED that the open session meeting of the Growth Committee be adjourned.
MOTION CARRIED.
The open session meeting of the Growth Committee held on May 14, 2019 was adjourned at
1:40 p.m.
Growth Committee Meeting
Open Session
May 14, 2019
Recording Secretary
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GROWTH COMMITTEE REPORT
M&C No. Not Applicable
Report Date July 10, 2019
Meeting Date July 16, 2019
Service Area Growth and Community
Development Services
His Worship Mayor Don Darling and Members of the Growth Committee
SUBJECT: Growth Reserve Fund Request — Community Standards Program
OPEN OR CLOSED SESSION
This matter is to be discussed in open session of Common Council.
AUTHORIZATION
Primary Author
Commissioner/Dept. HeadCity
Manager
Christopher McKiel
Amy Poffenroth/
Jacqueline Hamilton
John Collin
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Growth Committee adopt the following resolution for
Common Council's consideration:
Common Council authorizes the transfer of $30,000 from the Growth
Reserve Fund to support the enhanced Community Standards Program
for the remainder of 2019.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Enhanced Community Standards Program was established as a pilot in 2017
to address non -life safety compliance issues. The Program focuses on issues that
directly impact the aesthetics, enjoyment and pride of neighborhoods, including
unsightly premises, garbage issues, zoning infractions and general upkeep of
properties which negatively impact property value and quality of life of citizens.
The Program's focus on community standards has gained important momentum
in an area that the City of Saint John has historically struggled to achieve
compliance. With an additional resource and a focused approach on community
standards issues, the program has helped deliver Council's priority of a Vibrant
and Safe City. The Enhanced Community Standards Program is a strong enabler
of growth and is a key driver of a liveable City, which is central to attracting and
retaining people and investment to our City.
To continue the success of the Program, Growth and Community Development
Services is requesting $30,000 from the Growth Reserve Fund to extend funding
for the Community Standards Officer Position for the remainder of 2019. The
following report will provide a Program update and will provide 2019 year-end
projections should Common Council adopt the funding allocation.
PREVIOUS RESOLUTION
N/A
STRATEGIC ALIGNMENT
Enforcement of the Saint John Unsightly Premises and Dangerous Buildings and
Structures By-law aligns with Council's Vibrant, Safe City priority.
REPORT
Enhanced Community Standards Program Results
The Enhanced Community Standards Program was established as a pilot in 2017
to address non -life safety compliance issues. The pilot Program introduced a
Community Standards Officer over an entire year (i.e. enhanced service
delivery). The Program is a strong enabler of growth and is a key driver of a
liveable City, which is central to attracting and retaining people and investment
to our City.
Aggressive, strategic targets, a focused, streamlined approach and a talented
and dedicated resource with a background in community policing have been key
components to the success of the Enhanced Community Standards Program.
Since 2017, the results of the Program have exceeded all expectations in
resolving community standards issues, which in turn, has generated enthusiasm
and positive feedback from the public. Resolved issues as a result of the
Program include: unsightly premises, garbage issues, zoning infractions and
general upkeep of properties.
2017.2018 and 2019 Communitv Standards Program Results
Prior to the establishment of the Program, gaining compliance on non -life safety
cases such as the clean-up of unsightly properties was a significant challenge. In
2017, a total of 82 unsightly premises cases were resolved with 20 Notices to
Comply issued. In 2018, a total of 75 unsightly premises cases were resolved
with 9 Notices to Comply issued. To date in 2019, the Community Standards
17
2017
2018
2019 (YTD)
Notices to Comply Issued
20
9
14
Property Cleanups
Undertaken By Staff
2
6
1
Total Resolved Unsightly
Premises Cases
82
75
95
Prior to the establishment of the Program, gaining compliance on non -life safety
cases such as the clean-up of unsightly properties was a significant challenge. In
2017, a total of 82 unsightly premises cases were resolved with 20 Notices to
Comply issued. In 2018, a total of 75 unsightly premises cases were resolved
with 9 Notices to Comply issued. To date in 2019, the Community Standards
17
-3 -
Program has been able to resolve a record number of 95 unsightly premises
cases and 16 Zoning By-law enforcement cases with 14 Notices to Comply issued.
While the Program has already supported impressive compliance and resolution,
staff observes that there remains continued demand within the community.
It is anticipated that an extension funded by the Growth Reserve for the
remainder of 2019 will allow an additional 40 properties to be cleaned, with
approximately 6 unsightly property clean-ups being undertaken through a staff
initiated clean-up. In other words, additional funding would support a total of
135 resolved unsightly premises cases in 2019.
The Community Standards Officer Position has been funded for the first 6
months of this year through the general operating budget, but the ability to offer
enhanced support for the remainder of the year is being requested through
Council's allocation of Growth Reserve funding towards the Program. It was the
intention to seek additional funding for the Community Standards Program early
in 2019, however, due to a staff oversight, the portion from the Growth Reserve
fund was never formally requested (only referenced in annual planning with the
Growth Committee). Growth and Community Development Services is
requesting $30,000 from the Growth Reserve fund to extend funding for the
Community Standards Program to deliver the enhanced service for the
remainder of 2019.
SERVICE AND FINANCIAL OUTCOMES
N/A
INPUT FROM OTHER SERVICE AREAS AND STAKEHOLDERS
N/A
ATTACHMENTS
N/A
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