Heritage By-Law
Council was asked to
amend the Heritage By-Law to ensure heat pump provisions apply to residential heritage buildings. The amendment corrects an earlier omission made when the by-law was updated in 2026, which added standards for heat pumps, air conditioners, and exhaust devices only under non-residential heritage building provisions. The proposed change adds the same heat pump standards to the residential section, ensuring they apply to designated residential heritage buildings and residential properties located within heritage areas.
Decision: Motion carried unanimously.
New Accessory Building: 5 Park Place
Council was asked to
approve the design of a new two-storey accessory building at 5 Park Place in Heritage Area 1 and within the Rennie’s Mill Road Historic District. Although the applicant submitted a heritage report before Council established terms of reference, staff determined that the report met the requirements of the Heritage By-Law and demonstrated that the building is compatible with and subordinate to the existing house. Staff recommended that Council accept the heritage report and approve the proposed design, noting that future applicants should not submit heritage reports before Council sets the required terms of reference.
Decision: Motion carried unanimously.
Privacy Management Policy and Procedures
Council was asked to
approve revisions to the City’s Privacy Management Policy and related procedures to strengthen how personal information is managed and protected. The updates implement recommendations from a recent privacy management audit, including improvements to privacy assessments, personal information inventories, records protection measures, and clarification of roles and responsibilities. The revised policy package includes updated procedures for personal information and record protection, privacy complaints, privacy assessments, and personal information banks and inventories, helping ensure ongoing compliance with access and privacy legislation.
Decision: Motion carried unanimously.
Travel Authorization: 2027 Canadian Capital Cities Organization Winter Meeting
Council was asked to approve travel for Councillor Sandy Hickman to attend the 2027 Canadian Capital Cities Organization (CCCO) Winter Meeting in Ottawa, Ontario, from January 17 to 19, 2027.
Councillor Hickman serves as the City’s appointed representative on the CCCO. Approval is required for him to attend the meeting on behalf of the City and represent St. John’s in discussions with other Canadian capital cities.
Decision: Motion carried unanimously.
Public EV Charging Network Update and One Location Change
Council was asked to approve relocating two Level 2 electric vehicle (EV) chargers planned for Rotary Sunshine Park to the City-owned plaza at 2 Queen Street as part of the City's 2025-2027 public EV charging network expansion.
The relocation is proposed to avoid the removal of approximately 300 mature trees that would be required to install a new electrical connection at Rotary Sunshine Park. Staff noted that a washroom project planned for the park will include electrical servicing, allowing EV charging infrastructure to be reconsidered in the future with less environmental impact.
The proposed Queen Street location can accommodate the chargers, supports downtown EV charging demand, has been reviewed as suitable by Parking Enforcement, and can be completed within the approved project budget while preserving federal funding.
Decision: Motion carried unanimously.
2026 New Year’s Eve Sponsorship – George Street
Council was asked to approve a sponsorship request from the George Street Association for its New Year’s Eve celebrations on December 31, 2026. Sponsorship options include Title Sponsor ($15,000), Title Partner ($10,000), or Secondary Sponsor ($5,000).
Since 2003, the City has hosted its own family-friendly New Year’s Eve event at Quidi Vidi Lake, featuring free recreational activities, entertainment and fireworks at 8 p.m. In 2022, the George Street Association launched a separate, non-ticketed midnight celebration on George Street that includes entertainment and pyrotechnics.
The City currently supports the George Street event by facilitating road closures and safety measures at a cost of approximately $1,300. In 2025, Council also provided a $5,000 sponsorship for the event.
Decision: Motion carried unanimously.
Special Events Regulatory Committee
Council was asked to approve the following road closures:
-
Royal Canadian Legion Remembrance Day Parade and Ceremony (November 11)
- Queens Road, from Longs Hill to Rawlins Cross, will be closed from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. for the ceremony at the Sergeants Memorial.
- Garrison Hill will also be closed from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., with local traffic permitted.
- A rolling road closure will be in effect from 10:15 a.m. to noon along the parade route, travelling from Queens Road east on Duckworth Street, south on Cochrane Street, and west on Water Street to the National War Memorial.
- Water Street, from Cochrane Street to Prescott Street, will be closed from 10:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., followed by a closure on Water Street from Prescott Street to Ayre’s Cove and Ayre’s Cove from noon to 12:30 p.m.
- The RNC and City Parking Enforcement Officers will support traffic management and public safety.
-
Shea Heights Remembrance Day Parade and Ceremony (November 11)
- Linegar Avenue, from St. John Bosco School to the Shea Heights Community Centre, will be closed from 10:45 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. for the parade.
- The RNC will assist with traffic control.
- Access to the Shea Heights Community Centre parking lot will remain available throughout the event.
-
Holiday Lights @ Bowring Park (November 28, with December 5 as an inclement weather date)
- The annual community event will take place from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
- Waterford Bridge Road, from Cowan Avenue to Bay Bulls Road, will be closed from approximately 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. to accommodate the event.
- City Parking Enforcement Officers and the RNC will be on site to implement and manage the road closure.
-
Saint Pierre Filming (November 17 or 19)
- The production team is requesting the closure of Colonial Street between Bond Street and Gower Place from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
- The exact filming date has not yet been confirmed and will be either November 17 or November 19.
- AWP Traffic Control will implement and manage the road closure.
- Emergency vehicles, local traffic and school buses will continue to have access.
- Residents and businesses in the area will be notified in advance, and the nearby school has been informed and will notify parents of the closure.
Decision: Motion carried unanimously.
Action Items Raised by Council: Closure of Horizons 106
Councillor Bruce spoke about her advocacy regarding the closure of Horizons 106, which included meeting with residents, government officials, and End Homelessness St. John's. She emphasized that supportive housing models are effective for many people and argued that more supportive housing is needed, not less. She expressed concern that relocating residents into existing housing units could further strain wait-lists and called for continued investment in supportive housing solutions. She then thanked residents, advocates, and support workers for their resilience and dedication.
Permits Issued
Council was provided with a list of Development Permits and Building Permits issued since the last council meeting for their information.
Weekly Payment Vouchers
Council approved the weekly payment vouchers for the weeks ending October 21 and October 28.
Tenders Awarded
A list of contracts awarded from September 15 to October 26 was shared for Council’s information.
