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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJanuary 16, 2012 cis Executive Committee Meeting Minutes Monday, January 16, 2012 7:30 pm - Council Chambers Chair: Councillor Dickerson Present: Mayor Ryan Councillors: K. Ashe D. Dickerson B. McLean J. O'Connell D. Pickles P. Rodrigues Also Present: T. Prevedel - Chief Administrative Officer E. Buntsma - Director, Community Services G. Paterson - Director, Corporate Services & Treasurer T. Melymuk - Director, Office of Sustainability P. Bigioni - City Solicitor B. Douglas - Fire Chief D. Shields - City Clerk L. Winterstein - Manager, Marketing & Business Development C. Hodge - Coordinator, Economic Development F. Jadoon - Economic Development Officer L. Roberts - Committee Coordinator (1) Disclosure of Interest No disclosures of interest were noted. (II) Public Information Meeting 1. Chief Administrative Officer's Report, CAO 03-12 Public Meeting Notice of the Passing of a By-law for Council Rules of Procedure A public information meeting was held under the Municipal Act, for the purpose of informing the public with respect to proposed amendments to the City of Pickering Procedural By-law. 1 citq 00 Executive Committee Meeting Minutes MCKERNG Monday, January 16, 2012 7:30 pm - Council Chambers Chair: Councillor Dickerson The City Clerk appeared before the Committee and provided an overview of the process and amendments to the City of Pickering Procedural By-law. She explained the purpose of holding a public meeting was to receive comments from residents with no decisions being made regarding the by-law at this time. She also noted she had received a number of calls from residents and provided clarification regarding their questions. Maurice Brenner, 711 Sunbird Trail, appeared before the Committee noting that the Procedural By-law needs further review and presented recommendations for consideration. He noted that there should be recorded votes noted in closed meetings to provide transparency of the meeting. He requested clarification on who the Mayor's Delegate would be when relaying closed meeting information to the public and questioned what would constitute a breach of a closed meeting. He noted that there should be a clear process in place and also suggested the hiring of an Integrity Commissioner. He questioned why recorded votes are not taken at Committee meetings, stating the residents have a right to know how items were voted on. He also noted his opposition to the five minute timeline for delegations to be heard and also suggested Town Hall meetings as a great way to engage the public. He suggested that a review of the best practices from GTA municipalities should be undertaken and requested clarity of the language in the by-law so there is no misunderstanding. A question and answer period ensued. Ian Cumming, 1899 Fairport Road, appeared before the Committee stating his opposition to the proposed timelines for delegations, but also noted that he did not oppose the cut off time for meeting adjournment. He referred to previous issues that had been brought before Council and noted that results had been achieved because delegations were given the opportunity to meet with Council. He noted his concerns regarding delegations at Committee only and stated that this would limit public exposure to the media. He also stated that he felt there was not enough time given to review the draft by-law and stated that more clarity in the language is required. A question and answer period ensued. David Steele, 966 Timmins Garden, appeared before the Committee.in opposition to the delegation timelines. He stated the need for better dialogue in order to make more informed decisions. He also stated that there was not enough time to review the draft by-law and noted he was not aware the by-law was on this agenda until a member of public notified him. He stated he felt the ten minute maximum for delegations was good as some take more time and some less, balancing it out. He offered a number of recommendations with respect to closed meetings, protocol for 2 citqoo _ Executive Committee Meeting Minutes Monday, January 16, 2012 7:30 pm - Council Chambers Chair: Councillor Dickerson the appointment of an investigator, public notification and suggested more detail be provided for special meetings. He stated he would send his recommendations in writing to the City Clerk and indicated his desire to participate in further discussions on this matter. Pasquale Malandrino, 633 Dunn Cres., appeared before the Committee stating his consensus with comments made by previous delegations. He stated every citizen has a right to share their opinion and some would have difficulty getting their point across with the proposed five minute limit and stated that the ten minute limit should be kept. He noted his concern with the lack of notice to residents of this meeting and stated that the public should be given longer notification timelines for meetings. He also stated he did not have any issues with the current by-law, but-recommended that if the proposed draft by-law goes through it should be reviewed and re-visited if needed in a timely manner. He also urged the Committee not be influenced by what other municipalities have done. Andy McKinnon, Pickering resident, appeared before the Committee stating his concerns with the notification process and noted that he just found out about this item being on the agenda today. He stated that he felt more time was necessary to review the proposed amendments by the public. He also noted that Council should listen to the concerns of the Pickering residents and not what other municipalities are doing and stated Council is failing to serve the residents if limits are put on delegations. A discussion period ensued with respect to delegations and the lack of notice to the public. Carol Bamford, 528 Marksbury Rd.,, appeared before the Committee noting her concerns with the timelines involved for registering as a delegation prior to the agenda being published. She also noted that Council could be restricting their ability to obtain important information from delegations by imposing a five question limit to delegations. Sharon Powell, Ajax, appeared before the Committee stating her concerns with delegation timelines. She noted that more complex issues usually require more time for discussion. She also, stated that by limiting delegations to five minutes, they may end up with twice as many people wishing to be heard, particularly in the case of an issue that generates significant opposition where everyone wants to be heard. Cat Beattie, Pickering resident, appeared before the Committee noting her opposition to the proposed five minute time limit on delegations and noted her concern with democracy fading away. She also stated the meeting notification should have been sent out sooner and that it did not provide enough information. She stated she is in 3 citq 00 _ Executive Committee Meeting Minutes Monday, January 16, 2012 7:30 pm - Council Chambers Chair: Councillor Dickerson favour of additional public meetings regarding the draft by-law and there should be a document that shows what the amendments being proposed are. Dan Murphy, 895 Baylawn Drive, appeared before the Committee noting his concerns with voting at closed meetings and stated he felt the votes should be recorded. He also questioned prohibiting recordings at meetings and whether this included Rogers Cable televising the meetings. He also noted his concerns with the notification process for the meeting. He stated that the proposed time limits for delegations were inappropriate and restrictive which discourages public participation. He also stated that appearing at the Committee level first was too restrictive, and that by going before Council there is more public exposure which carries greater weight. He felt the proposed five minute limit on delegations would not be sufficient and the five question limit to delegations was inappropriate. A discussion period ensued with respect to recordings at meetings and that Committee meetings should also be recorded. Questions were raised with respect to getting the word out and how best to reach more residents as well as the need to provide more detail in the notices. Mike Borie, 1044 Escott Crt. appeared before the Committee expressing his opposition to the proposed five minute limit for delegations. He stated residents have a right to speak and what other municipalities are implementing should not be a consideration in Pickering. He also felt this does not take into consideration persons with disabilities that might not be able to speak quickly. He felt there should be additional public forums on this issue and also noted his concerns with the process for public notification. The Committee took a ten minute recess and resumed at 10:30 pm. Victoria Hodgson, Rougemount area resident, appeared before the Committee stating her concerns with the timelines regarding public notification and questioned when the next meeting would be held. Jacqueline Smart, 829 Fairview Ave., appeared before the Committee and felt the time limit for delegations should remain at ten minutes and also stated we should not be looking at what other municipalities do. She stated her concern with only being able to be a delegate at the Committee meeting and noted that residents might have additional pertinent information to relay that could impact on the decisions made. She noted that delegations should be able to appear at Committee and Council. She also noted her concerns with the process for public notification and felt there should have been more time to review the draft by-law. She also stated the need for simpler language and more clarification as it is difficult to understand the by-law. 4 i cttq 00 _ Executive Committee Meeting Minutes PICKE Monday, January 16, 2012 7:30 pm - Council Chambers Chair: Councillor Dickerson A question and answer period ensued. James Blair, 682 Foxwood Trail, appeared before the Committee noting concerns with the procedures respecting public notification. He also recommended that the procedural by-law be published noting what the revisions are for clarification. He stated he,felt it was a good idea to look at other municipalities and also recommended more venues for the public to speak. A question and answer period ensued. The City Clerk provided further clarification on questions from the delegations and Members of Council. She encouraged residents to contact her with questions or concerns and to also submit their recommendations to her in writing. She stated the majority of the rules in the draft Procedural By-law before them were the same as the one being used now and most of the changes were included to provide clarification. She stated that she could provide a draft copy of the by-law highlighting the old, new and clarified sections to anyone that would like a copy. The City Clerk was requested to look into what the process is should the public wish to appeal the proposed draft by-law, if passed by Council. It was also suggested that a 7:00 pm start time for meetings might be appropriate. (III) Matters for Consideration The Chair noted that the CAO had requested that Item 4, Report CS 03-12 be withdrawn from the agenda for further review. 1. Director, Office of Sustainability, Report OS 01-12 Marketing & Business Development Program 2011 Year End Summary Discussion ensued and clarification was made by staff with respect to the relationship between the City of Pickering and the Greater Toronto Marketing Alliance (GTMA). It was noted that the City of Pickering enjoys a positive networking partnership with the GTMA. This is a gateway to international investors and many significant leads have been realized through this relationship. Staff were requested to provide detailed statistics on the number of new businesses in Pickering; the number of new jobs, as well as jobs lost and also questioned whether they could get information on the different types of jobs in Pickering. Recommendation 5 citq oo Executive Committee Meeting Minutes Monday, January 16, 2012 7:30 pm - Council Chambers Chair: Councillor Dickerson Moved by Councillor O'Connell Seconded by Councillor McLean That Council receive for information, the 2011 Marketing & Business Development Year End Summary attached as Attachment No. 1 to Report OS 01-12. Carried 2. Director, Community Services, Report CS 01-12 Speed Limits on City of Pickering Roads north of Taunton Road Amendment to By-law 6604/05 Recommendation Moved by Councillor O'Connell Seconded by Councillor McLean 1. That Report CS 01-12 of the Director, Community Services regarding a proposed amendment to the municipal traffic and parking by-law 6604/05 to establish speed limits on City of Pickering roads north of Taunton Road be received; 2. That the attached draft by-law be enacted to amend Schedule "9" to By-law 6604/05 to provide for the regulation of speed limits on highways or parts of highways under the jurisdiction of the Corporation of the City of Pickering. Carried 3. Director, Community Services, Report CS 02-12 Request for MetroLinx-BikeLinx Funding to Install Sheltered, Safe and Secure Bicycle Parking at Strategic Locations in Pickering Recommendation Moved by Councillor O'Connell Seconded by Councillor McLean 1. That Report CS 02-12 of the Director,. Community Services regarding the request for MetroLinx-Bikelinx funding to install sheltered, safe and secure bicycle parking be received; 6 citq 00 _ Executive Committee - Meeting Minutes Monday, January 16, 2012 7:30 pm - Council Chambers Chair: Councillor Dickerson 2. That Council endorse the request to the Regional Municipality of Durham to receive BikeLinx funding for sheltered, safe and secure bike parking at strategic locations in Pickering; 3. That the Mayor and the Clerk be authorized to execute any agreement to implement the BikeLinx funding program, that is in a form acceptable to the City Solicitor and the Director, Corporate Services & Treasurer; 4. That, should the Region approve BikeLinx funding for the locations on private property, the Region also be requested to enter into agreements with the third party property owners of those sites; and 5. That Report CS 02-12 be forwarded to the Regional Municipality of Durham for their consideration. Carried 5. Director, Community Services, Report CS 04-12 Tender No. T-17-2011 -Tender for Street Light Maintenance & Electrical Locates Recommendation Moved by Councillor O'Connell Seconded by Councillor McLean 1. That Report CS 04-12 of the Director, Community Services regarding the tender for municipal street light maintenance and electrical locates be received; 2. That Tender No. T-17-2011 submitted by Langley Utilities Contracting Limited in the amount of $611,789.91 (HST included) and a net cost of $543,024.72 (net of HST rebate) be approved; 3. That the appropriate City of Pickering officials be given authority to give effect hereto. Carried 6. Director, Corporate Services & Treasurer, Report CST 01-12 2012 Interim Levy and Interim Tax Instalment Due Dates Recommendation 7 Executive Committee Meeting Minutes Monday, January 16, 2012 7:30 pm - Council Chambers Chair: Councillor Dickerson Moved by Councillor O'Connell Seconded by Councillor McLean 1. That Report CST 01-12 of the Director, Corporate Services & Treasurer be received; ' 2. That an interim property tax levy be adopted for all realty property classes for 2012; 3. That the interim property tax levy tax instalment due dates be February 27 and April 27, 2012; 4. That the attached draft by-law, providing for the imposition of the taxes, be enacted; and, 5. That the appropriate City of Pickering officials be authorized to take the necessary actions to give effect hereto. Carried (IV) Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 11: 45 pm. 8