CITY COUNCIL – Details of public session on shelter approved after another blowup

The public will get a chance to be heard on the fate of the 44-bed Tranquille road emergency shelter at a regular council meeting April 21 in the Sandman Centre’s Kia Lounge. The meeting will get underway at 3 p.m.

The change in location from council chambers in City Hall is to accommodate what is expected to be a large crowd wanting to have a say about the controversial shelter being operated on the former Butler Auto and RV site at 142 Tranquille Road.

Council on Tuesday (March 24, 2026) approved spending $5,250 for technical support to allow Zoom participation by the public and extra space for attendees.

The shelter was given a 20-month temporary use permit in November 2024 that will expire July 26 this year. Council must decide whether to extend the permit for three more years.

A recent survey taken by the North Shore Business Improvement Association found that 86 per cent of businesses in the area surrounding the shelter are opposed to the extension, citing an increase in crime and vandalism.

Once again, Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson was questioned about a possible conflict of interest, since he is suing Joshua Knaak, one of the directors of the company that owns the business on which the shelter sits.

He continued to take the position that he’s free to vote on the matter because he is suing Knaak on a personal matter that has nothing to do with the company.

Corporate officer Maria Mazzotta contended that because Hamer-Jackson was found in a code of conduct investigation to have such a conflict, he may put the City in legal jeopardy if he doesn’t recuse himself. But Hamer-Jackson said he’s received legal advice that he’s not in a conflict. However, based on solicitor-client privilege, he refuses to provide written assurance of the legal opinion.

He did question whether Coun. Dale Bass filed the code of conduct complaint that led to the investigation on behalf of someone else, presumably a reference to Knaak. Mazzotta said the complaint was filed by Bass on behalf of herself.

Bass became involved in the heated conversation, saying “No one tells me what to do” and Leave me alone, leave this council alone and do your damn job.”

Mazzotta pushed the conflict of interest point, reminding Hamer-Jackson that council members must keep an open mind when making decisions on applications.

“My decisions are made for the well-being of the community,” Hamer-Jackson responded. “I’m not in conflict.”

Coun. Nancy Bepple said that “if it goes the way you vote, it can be challenged, so you’d be better off recusing yourself.”

As other councillors got involved, the debate remained contentious, with mayor and councillors frequently interrupting each other, and often strayed into matters unrelated to the question of where and when to hold the public meeting on the shelter. There was even an attempt to remove Hamer-Jackson from the chair but it didn’t materialize.

Coun. Kelly Hall questioned Hamer-Jackson on whether he’d been talking to businesses in the area of the shelter before the upcoming meeting.

“I’ve asked them to give their opinions. Is there something wrong with that?” said the mayor, who went on to object to the proposed 3 p.m. meeting time, suggesting it begin later so it would be more convenient for more people.

He wondered whether the meeting was even necessary, in view of the poll taken by the NSBIA. Eventually, the input meeting was approved as proposed by staff, with Hamer-Jackson opposed. (Coun. Katie Neustaeter and Mike O’Reilly recused themselves.)

Mazzotta said it’s an attempt to “strike a balance,” and input will technically be received through public submissions. Anyone unable to attend may make a written submission before noon on the Friday before.