Hall Monitor: Waterfront Poster Maps

Last night, city council, staff and the public gathered in City Hall for Kingston City Council meeting number 21-2013. The city has published the agenda and addeds online.

With a delayed start, short agenda and early adjournment, I’m almost willing to bet that last night’s meeting was one of the shortest of this council’s history – if not the shortest. Amongst the few items taken care of, though, council approved giving its mapping data to Google, approved some funding for affordable housing projects, created the Kingston Waterfront Master Plan Working Group and asked staff to research updates to the postering by-law.

I’m not sure if we can credit the shortness of the last two meetings to having two so close together, to coincidence of not having much going on or to incredible efficiency of our local officials – but I’m grateful for it.

Our complete Tweet stream – though technical problems prevented a recording. Our next meeting will be on October 15th in council chambers. See you then!

• 19:27: Getting all set up for tonight’s meeting. We’ll be live-tweeting and streaming starting in a few minutes! #ygkc ^TV
• 19:38: Councillors aren’t here yet; they’re still in closed session discussing collective bargaining with CUPE. #ygkc ^TV
• 19:50: Based on the vote count on screen to resolve to closed session, it does look like we have all 13 members of council here tonight. #ygkc ^TV
• 20:03: Councillors filing in now; we should be starting soon. #ygkc ^TV
• 20:08: @MayorOfKingston talking and joking about the reasons for the delay. They rise without reporting. #ygkc ^TV
• 20:10: Addeds (One add, one amendment) are confirmed and we hear a disclosure of pecuniary interest from Coun. Schell. #ygkc ^TV
• 20:11: We pass through presentations, delegations, briefings and petitions with none on the agenda. #ygkc ^TV
• 20:12: The only motion of condolence carries; we have no deferred motions, so we move to report 114 from CAO (Consent) #ygkc ^TV
• 20:13: Cleared through the bulk of report 114, 13-0, includes surplus declaration of Block 4 and giving mapping data to Google. #ygkc ^TV
• 20:14: Also approved creation of the Kingston Waterfront Master Plan Working Group. #ygkc ^TV
• 20:15: We move into an item on the consolidated homlessness prevention initiative. Questions from @JimNeill3. #ygkc ^TV
• 20:19: We’re getting an amendment on this item from @JimNeill3; wants staff to reach out to county for shared funding. #ygkc ^TV
• 20:21: Some discussion between @MayorOfKingston and Coun. Neill about the set-up of his proposed amendment right now. #ygkc ^TV
• 20:23: We c=get a point of order from Coun. Hector, saying that the amendment is contrary to the motion itself. #ygkc ^TV
• 20:26: @MayorOfKingston declares the amendment out of order; suggests @JimNeill3 bring it back as a notice of motion. #ygkc ^TV
• 20:27: Original item passes 13-0; unamended and without additional debate. #ygkc ^TV
• 20:29: We move into discussion on 510 Canatara Court. Question from @JimNeill3 about funding sources for the development. #ygkc ^TV
• 20:29: Staff confirms that units would end up as part of subsidy program rotation as other units are lost. #ygkc ^TV
• 20:30: Coun. Downes says he’s voting in favour; but questions what the city will get after 15 years; draws comparison to a mortgage. #ygkc ^TV
• 20:31: … he adds that this seems to be a temporary solution to the problem; wants to see city get something when they invest in capital. #ygkc…
• 20:32: @DorothyAHector thanks city staff for the work; says that this is an important piece to the “anti-ghettotization” planning. #ygkc ^TV
• 20:32: … and adds that this is something that should be brought up at Kingston’s advocacy day at Queen’s Park tomorrow. #ygkc ^TV
• 20:33: Coun. Hutchison adds to @DorothyAHector’s comments, says that a 15-year term is not long enough. #ygkc ^TV
• 20:34: Coun. Hutchison says that the 15-year limits prevent the overall amount of stock in units from growing. #ygkc ^TV
• 20:36: @MayorOfKingston asks staff why it’s a 15-year term; he says he recalls 20-year policies. #ygkc ^TV
• 20:37: Staff answers that policies were updated in 2011; and that less funding is available now. The item passes unanimously. #ygkc ^TV
• 20:37: We move to report 115 from planning committee. #ygkc ^TV
• 20:38: First is on 37 York St; no Coun. Schell for this one on a pecuniary. Carries 12-0. #ygkc ^TV
• 20:39: Second item (51 Holden St subdivision) carries 13-0. No committee of the whole and no information reports. #ygkc ^TV
• 20:40: Into misc business; Age-friendly Advisory Committee resignation from Bhavana Varma and an appointment of Kim Hockey to it. #ygkc ^TV
• 20:41: We also get a resignation from Stephen Robins. Coun. Glover says this resignation was based on concerns of liability. #ygkc ^TV
• 20:42: We also confirm the Deputy Mayor appointments through June 2014. #ygkc ^TV
• 20:43: We move into a new motion; tabled by Coun. Osanic and @JimNeill3 on community postering. #ygkc ^TV
• 20:45: The motion would call on staff to explore options and costs to amend the current postering rules by Q4 2014. #ygkc ^TV
• 20:46: … and would stay the enforcement of individuals, charities, community groups, religious organizations and schools until then. #ygkc ^TV
• 20:47: Coun. Osanic says that the strategic plan specifically calls on wanting to address community needs and enhance neighbourhoods. #ygkc ^TV
• 20:48: Coun. Osanic says this policy isn’t trailblazing; Toronto, Ottawa and Hamilton have already passed similar motions. #ygkc ^TV
• 20:49: Coun. Osanic says display boards at parks wouldn’t work; more than 200 parks makes this idea cost prohibitive. #ygkc ^TV
• 20:49: Coun. Osanic says Ottawa allows posters on utility poles outside of downtown and not in medians. #ygkc ^TV
• 20:50: Coun. Osanic says that Toronto, Ottawa and Hamilton are good examples, as they have clearly defined downtowns and suburbs. #ygkc ^TV
• 20:51: @councillorberg says she likes the spirit of the motion; says she read bylaw 2004-190 this summer, says there are 7 notice boards #ygkc ^TV
• 20:52: … at least that’s what the by-law says. Staff told her there are only 4 remaining. Says centrally located boards don’t help all. #ygkc ^TV
• 20:53: @councillorberg says there are lower maintenance options and also digital options the city can look into. #ygkc ^TV
• 20:55: @councillorberg is tables an amendment that would simplify some wording and wouldn’t stay the fees while the policy is reviewed. #ygkc ^TV
• 20:56: The wording would still allow some groups (“registered charities etc”) to be exempt when the changes come back. #ygkc ^TV
• 20:57: Coun. Osanic and @JimNeill3 declare the first pare of @councillorberg’s amendment as friendly. Second half ruled out of order. #ygkc ^TV
• 20:58: @MayorOfKingston says that the second half of @councillorberg’s amendment can be achieved through separated voting. #ygkc ^TV
• 20:59: @MayorOfKingston then decides that the amendment is too big to be friendly; says it’ll be voted as an amendment. #ygkc ^TV
• 20:59: Coun. Downes says he likes the idea of “best practices” but still wants to see specifics. #ygkc ^TV
• 21:00: Coun. Paterson says the amendment actually covers everything that was there, but expands it to allow more. #ygkc ^TV
• 21:01: @JimNeill3 says that some of the history of this dates back to the 90s and concert and bar posters. #ygkc ^TV
• 21:02: @JimNeill3 (motion seconder) appreciates the broadening of the scope in the amendment. #ygkc ^TV
• 21:07: Coun. Paterson calls a point of order: if the first part passes, wouldn’t paragraph 7 be redundant. @MayorOfKingston says no.
• 21:08: @MayorOfKingston says that the amendment provides examples; paragraph 7 is specifics. `#ygkc ^TV
• 21:08: The amendment carries 12-1; only Coun. Downes opposed. #ygkc ^TV
• 21:11: @JimNeill3 says that when he asked staff, they couldn’t remember the last time they issued a commercial postering license. #ygkc ^TV
• 21:13: Coun. Paterson says he’s supportive of the intent of the motion… but is concerned about the 7th and 9th paragraph. #ygkc ^TV
• 21:14: Says they’re going to ask staff to do research on who should be exempt; but are also telling staff who should be exempt. #ygkc ^TV
• 21:14: … adds that the staying of fees for a year is would create an “open season” for postering. #ygkc ^TV
• 21:17: Coun. Glover says the last paragraph would allow notices from individual people; uses example of an 8-year-old’s lost cat. #ygkc ^TV
• 21:18: Coun. George says that supporting these means that council is writing by-laws; and that’s not their job. #ygkc ^TV
• 21:19: Coun. George says people don’t often clean up after they’ve found their lost belongings. #ygkc ^TV
• 21:21: @DorothyAHector asks about putting up election signs. City staff says that the election sign by-law would allow those. #ygkc ^TV
• 21:21: @DorothyAHector says that writing by-laws at the council table is a wrong practice. #ygkc ^TV
• 21:23: @DorothyAHector says “wiping the slate clean” is a bad idea; existing by-laws should remain in place until the new one is written #ygkc ^TV
• 21:25: @MayorOfKingston to @DorothyAHector with election advice: “Stop putting up posters and start knocking on doors” #ygkc ^TV
• 21:25: @MayorOfKingston questions the “religious organizations” term. #ygkc ^TV
• 21:27: @MayorOfKingston cites an Ace Ventura: Pet Detective reference. Says “you’re old if you don’t” understand it. #mayorjokes #ygkc ^TV
• 21:30: Coun. Schell says she’ll be supporting paragraph 9. ^TV #ygkc
• 21:33: Coun. Hutchison says he’s okay with staying fines that aren’t (generally) charged anyway. #ygkc ^TV
• 21:33: Coun. Hutchison will be voting in favour of both paragraphs 7 and 9. #ygkc ^TV
• 21:34: Coun. Osanic says the wording she used came from Toronto’s by-law. #ygkc ^TV
• 21:36: Coun. Osanic said they talked to Ottawa staff, and they laughed that the city was going after a lost cat poster. #ygkc ^TV
• 21:37: We’re tackling the resolve clauses individually for voting. First carries 12-1; Coun. George opposed. #ygkc ^TV
• 21:38: Second clause (“paragraph 7) carries 7-6. Berg, George, Gerretsen, Hector, Paterson, Scott opposed). 3rd carries 13-0. #ygkc ^TV
• 21:39: Fourth clause loses 7-6. Berg, George, Gerretsen, Hector, Paterson, Reitzel, Scott opposed. #ygkc ^TV
• 21:40: Minutes are confirmed 13-0 and we move into by-laws. #ygkc ^TV
• 21:43: Adjournment. 9:43pm. Thanks for following along. Next meeting is October 15th. #ygkc ^TV

Thanks to reneilet for today’s original photo.