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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--.