HomeMy WebLinkAboutMarch 23, 1998 (Special)
-
..
8.
*'~ OF PIC
;.:.0 ~
lJJ1tM~
~ ~œ: ffi
~
SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING
A Special Meeting of the Pickering Town Council was held on Monday, March 23, 1998
at 7:30 p.m.
PRESENT:
Mayor Wayne Arthurs
COUNCILLORS:
M. Brenner
D. Dickerson
M. Holland
R. Johnson
D. Pickles
D. Ryan
ALSO PRESENT:
T. 1. Quinn
S. Cameron
N. Carroll
T. Melymuk
B. Taylor
(I)
1.
2.
- General Manager
- C.£.O - Library
- Director of Planning
- Executive Coordinator
- Town Clerk
DELEGATIONS
Marilyn Hedge, representing the Frenchman's Bay Watch, stated that her
organization was established in 1995 to act as a liaison with the MTRCA
and to protect the Bay. The Frenchman's Bay Watch carries out several
activities to promote the protection of the Bay, one being Clean Up Day
which is scheduled for Saturday, April 25th. This Clean Up Day will
include not only Frenchman's Bay but all watersheds that lead into it and
she welcomed Council's participation in this activity.
Jim Dyke, representing the Frenchman's Bay Watch, stated that he
supports the Notice of Motion that has been introduced regarding
Community Pride Days and welcomes any help from the Town or any other
organization in protecting the Bay. He noted that the Frenchman's Bay
Watch has been working on the clean up of the Bay for the past five years.
2
3.
Jill Foster, representing the Pickering Public Library Board, stated that the
motion of the Library Board to reduce services at the Bay Ridges Branch
was initiated by requests from the user groups at the East Shore
Community Centre who feel that the space occupied by the Library could
be better utilized. She noted that a committee has investigated the
feasibility of renovating the interior of the East Shore Community Centre
or putting an addition on it to accommodate all groups. She further noted
that with respect to the Bay Ridges Branch, it represents only 4% of the
total circulation, it handles 35 items per hour and only $13,000 will be
saved by the Library in 1998 if it is closed. Based on these facts, the
Library Board cannot justify keeping this Branch open with such
competition from other user groups, however, it is Council's decision to
decide on the use of the East Shore Community Centre.
.
4.
Johane Meade, 1327 Tatra Drive, stated that over the years the Library
Board has been systematically closing the Bay Ridges Branch by reducing
the hours and being open when it is not most convenient for most people.
She quoted statistics that showed that this Branch is being used by mothers
with children and if the Branch is closed, the satellite services will decline
within two years. She stated that there will be a population boom of
younger people that will justify the use of this Branch. The extra two
kilometers to the Central Branch is too formidable a walk for most people
because it involves using the bridge over Highway #401.
5.
Jeffrey Meade, 1327 Tatra Drive, stated that he was concerned about the
decision-making process that led up to the motion being passed by the
Library Board. He felt that the Seniors are better positioned to put their
needs for more space forward than the Library users. There should have
been meetings with all user groups of the East Shore Community Centre
and he asked that this matter be deferred in order to hold such meetings.
He asked if the money saved by closing the Bay Ridges Branch will be used
to increase services at the other Branches. He submitted a petition
requesting that this Branch remain open.
.
~
6.
Keith Soltys, 706 Krosno Boulevard, noted that at a recent PESCA
meeting, the Chair of the Library Board indicated that the closing of the
Bay Ridges Branch was a community decision. He submitted a petition
which provided overwhelming support to keep this Branch open. He
stated that Seniors, mother with children and people with mobility
problems need this Branch. The bridge over Highway #401 is a barrier for
people walking to the Central Branch. He was concerned about the lack of
public notice about the closing of this Branch and noted that it is a valuable
resource for the community.
7.
Roy Robinson, 915 Liverpool Road, stated that he hopes Council can
support a community centre in the space now occupied by the Bay Ridges
Branch. There was a Committee called the Friends of the Bay Ridges
Library that encouraged the use of this Branch but it did not seem to help.
The savings from closing the Branch is insignificant and it relieves the
Central Branch, however, the Library Board and not Council should decide
if the Branch remains open. If people want to use a Library, they will drive
to it. The use of the space occupied by the Bay Ridges Branch should be
open to public discussion.
e
3
8.
Louise Boehler, 889 Antonio Street, requested that Council defer this
matter for at least two weeks to allow more public discussion on it. She
stated that discussions about the Bay Ridges Branch have been going on
since August, 1997 but the public were only notified about it in March,
1998. She questioned why budget money is being discussed when the
budgets haven't been approved. She also asked by the Bay Ridges Branch
is being closed when the Whitevale and Greenwood Branches have lower
usage. She further questioned why money wasn't invested in renovating
the East Shore Community Centre and if the Library Board did a usage
survey of the other Branches.
.
9.
Ted Hnatiuk, 827 Naroch Boulevard, stated that he got involved with the
Friends of the Bay Ridges Branch five years ago and could see it being
closed then unless a special niche was found for it. Over the past five
years, there has been a strong lobby to keep the Branch open, however, the
use of the Library is as poor now as it was five years ago. The schools do
not use this Branch and the community will not grow much in the future to
support a separate Branch. More money must be given to Library services
through a better use of that money.
10.
Lorraine Adcock, 704 Lublin Avenue, stated that she uses the Bay Ridges
Branch as a mother and noted that libraries are important to young
children. With so many users having children, there is no justification to
close this Branch.
11.
Bill McKechnie, 849 Fairview Avenue, stated that the Bay Ridges Branch
should operate on a full time basis. This issue is not about the poor use of
the Branch but that the Seniors want more space. The actual savings to
close the Branch is only $13,000. People of all ages use this Branch
because the Central Branch is not convenient for people who are not
mobile. He asked that all information on the Bay Ridges Branch be made
available to the public and asked that this matter be deferred until further
discussions are held.
.
12.
Stewart McGowan, 753 Liverpool Road, moved to the Bay Ridges
community because facilities such as the Bay Ridges Branch were within
walking distance. On the basis of money only, the Branch should be
closed, however this is a community service.
13.
Paul Kelland, representing PESCA, noted that the Bay Ridges Branch is
the third busiest in Pickering, the Town may be renovating the East Shore
Community Centre before the budget is approved and that PESCA was
only involved in one Building Committee meeting because the meetings
were held in the daytime.
14.
Jacqueline Smart, representing PESCA, stated that on July 22, 1997,
Council passed a resolution to establish a committee called the Building
Committee. She asked for Minutes of that Committee and found that some
were missing and that the name had been changed to the Seniors Building
Committee. She was concerned about the notice to the public about the
possible closing of the Branch; it started with a motion of the Library
Board on February 26, 1998 and thus provided little time for public input.
She was aware of a letter from Councillor Dickerson to PESCA about
evening meetings, however, she noted that all but one meeting of the
Building Committee was held in the daytime and no one from PESCA
could make these daytime meetings. She was on the Library Board for six
years and did not re-apply for this term because she felt new people were
needed, however, this issue came up only at the second meeting of the new
Board. Both the Central and Rouge Hills Branches are overloaded so it
makes sense to keep the Bay Ridges Branch open. She asked that the
.
4
Library Board remove from its motion that the user groups at the East
Shore Community Centre were aware of this issue. She also asked that
Council defer this motion until more public input is sought.
15.
William Boyes, representing the Public Library Board, stated that this is an
emotional issue and realizes that the Bay Ridges Branch is important to the
community. He noted that the Library Board did not initiate this process
and does not advocate the closing of the Branch in 1998. The Library
Board was approved by user groups at the East Shore Community Centre
to reallocate space. The Library Board cannot provide service to everyone
who wants to walk to a Library, however, if the Bay Ridges Branch is
closed, it will continue to be available to children through satellite services.
The Library Board is not denying library services to anyone in the Bay
Ridges community by closing the Branch but it does recognize that the
service will not be as convenient. The impact of closing the Branch is small
for the Board but large for the Town and therefore the challenge of the
Board is to expand its services.
.
(ID
RESOLUTIONS
Resolution #67/98
Moved by Councillor Dickerson
Seconded by Councillor Johnson
That Council approve the replacement of the current service at the Bay Ridges Branch
library with Reading Readiness programs at their current level and book return, at
whichever is the earlier of:
(a)
the date when the Branch space in the East Shore Community centre is required
for renovation or re-allocation; or
.
(b)
June 30, 1998.
CARRIED
Recorded Vote:
Yes:
No:
Councillors Brenner, Dickerson, Johnson, Pickles, Ryan and Mayor Arthurs
Councillor Holland
Resolution #68/98
Moved by Councillor Holland
Seconded by Councillor Ryan
WHEREAS clean streets, parks and roads promote community pride, deter criminal
activity and project a positive image of Pickering to visitors; and
WHEREAS litter and vandalism in the Town of Pickering continues to be a problem that
diminishes residents ability to enjoy their community;
8
NOW THEREFORE the Council of the Corporation of the Town of Pickering hereby
establishes a "Take Pride in Pickering" program that has as its objective enhanced public
awareness and participation in keeping the Town of Pickering clean, attractive and inviting
to residents and visitors; and
.
.
.
5
THAT the program consist of, but not be limited to, the following events and/or
initiatives;
1.
Two 'Community Pride Days, to be held on the fourth Saturday of April and on
the fourth Saturday of September, where community groups, individual residents
and staff of the Town of Pickering will be invited to spend a day cleaning up litter,
painting over graffiti and engaging in other activities to beautify our town.
2.
The use of the Town of Pickering Community Page to promote the 'Take Pride in
Pickering' program and its objectives on an occasional basis throughout the year.
3.
The creation of Community Pride Awards that recognize individuals who make
significant contributions to keeping their neighborhoods clean and inviting while
generally displaying and promoting pride in the Town of Pickering. These awards
shall be given by Council following each Community Pride Day to two individuals
and one organization from each ward in the Town of Pickering. Public notice,
through the community page, shall be given to residents to invite nominations for
the award in the form of a letter to the Town Clerk. The letters shall be given to
Council who shall decide from those nominated who should receive the awards.
4.
Strict enforcement throughout the year of by-laws controlling littering, poop and
scoop and other by-laws which promote clean neighborhoods and parks.
5.
The placement of the motto 'Take Pride in Pickering' on all new garbage bins to
further promote the program and its objectives; and
THAT the Department of Parks and Facilities, the Department of Public Works, the
Department of Culture and Recreation and by-law enforcement work collaboratively with
the Council for the Corporation of the Town of Pickering to find additional ways to
promote the program and its objectives.
CARRIED
(ill)
ADJOURNMENT
The Meeting adjourned at 10:55 p.m.
Dated
Aprìl 7, 1998
~
MAYO
6 L--.