City approves rent break for tenants

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This article was published 24/03/2022 (1304 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

City councillors have decided to give some downtown retailers a rent break, while a proposal to introduce new fines for cabbies and limo and ride-hailing drivers has been delayed.

Winnipeg city council weighed in on several significant matters during its Thursday meeting.

Businesses to get rent break

City council has approved a rent break for some pandemic-stricken businesses.

Council voted 12-2 to waive six months of rent for eight retail businesses, six of which are located in the underground concourse beneath Portage Avenue and Main Street.

The rent break will apply from February to July 2022; refunds will be issued for amounts already paid.

A city staff report said the extended absence of downtown workers has caused some businesses to close, so the rent waiver would help retain others.

Couns. Kevin Klein and Shawn Nason opposed the vote. Klein noted the deal did not require tenants to stay in their city-owned units for any specific amount of time, arguing there’s no guarantee it will ensure the city keeps its tenants.

Penalties delayed

City council is delaying action on a hotly debated call to introduce new fines for inappropriate behaviour by vehicle-for-hire drivers.

A city proposal calls to add a $250 fine for some new offences, which would apply to drivers of taxis, ride-hailing vehicles and limousines regulated by the city. Fines would apply to drivers found to have sexually harassed a passenger or made lewd remarks toward them, asked for tips, or requested collateral toward a fare payment, among other offences.

Instead of granting final approval, council opted to send the matter back to the public works committee for further debate next month.

Lawyers who represent the Winnipeg Community Taxi Association complained that city bylaws stop short of guaranteeing each alleged violation must be investigated before a ticket can be issued, sparking calls for the delay.

The committee referral was approved in an eight-six vote, which Coun. Sherri Rollins loudly opposed, at one point raising her voice and calling it “absurd” and an “outrage.”

Rollins said immediate approval of the fines would ensure the transportation options are safe for women and others.

Couns. Devi Sharma and Matt Allard were absent from the meeting and did not vote.

New limits for pre-election announcements

City council has imposed new campaign rules on spending announcements.

Council approved a call to prohibit council members from making “any form of public funding announcement” on spending from key city reserves and grants within 60 days of the 2022 civic election, set for Oct. 26.

The motion also calls for bylaw amendments that would make the changes permanent.

City to pursue landfill gas sales

The city is poised to become a landfill gas supplier.

Council approved a proposal to convert the potent gases into renewable energy, then potentially raise millions by selling it. City staff will negotiate a final contract for that purpose, which council will be asked to approve.

The city expects it could earn about $10.5 million from the sales over the next 20 years.

Council also decided to:

-Remove the John C. Falls house at 36 Roslyn Rd. from Winnipeg’s list of historical resources. The decision came after a city committee was told the heritage building was too damaged to reasonably save.

-Stick with the current police funding model. City council was asked to keep the model following a review of budgeting alternatives, with staff noting the status quo allows community feedback and lets council set the final budget amount.

-End the vaccine mandate for council members. Elected officials and their staff will no longer be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to enter city hall buildings.

During Thursday’s meeting, councillors sat together at their traditional 15-seat table, which is overlooked by a separate Speaker’s chair. Until now, social distancing led several councillors to move to back row desks to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @joyanne_pursaga