Hall Monitor: Fore The Animals

July 17, 2013July 26, 2017 Josie Vallier 0 Comments

Last night, city council, staff and the public gathered in City Hall for Kingston City Council meeting number 17-2013. The city has published the agenda and addeds online.

By far, council’s two biggest items on the agenda were easy to spot from a mile away: The biggest, of course, being that staff recommended to close the fairways at Belle Park. After some debate and discussion, however, an amendment came forward that saw council approve the contracting of the fairway instead. Staff will now work towards an RFP process to keep the golf course at Belle Park operational. Council also passed the much-debated and much-discussed ban on the sale of dogs, cats and rabbits at pet stores.

Elsewhere in the agenda, there were a number of major project zoning items passed, a by-law exemption for ice cream trucks, an expansion of the bus pass program for grade 9 and 10 students, approval of the transit agreements with the AMS and the SA at SLC, a number of committee appointments and the extension of Cataraqui Woods Drive to connect to Sydenham Rd.

Remember that we’re in summer schedule, so the next meeting won’t be until August 13th.

Our complete Tweet stream from last night is below, though I sadly forgot to hit record on the video. See you in August!

7:04 PM: All set up in City Hall for tonight’s council meeting. We should get started around 7:30pm! #ygkc ^TV
7:17 PM: Councillors are at the table, we should be starting close to on time. Good, for such a large agenda! #ygkc ^TV
7:29 PM: DING DING!! Actually off to an early start, 7:29pm on the city clock. #ygkc ^TV
7:30 PM: The stream is live at https://t.co/3K7qIglGvM; we come out of closed session without a report (carries 12-0) #ygkc ^TV
7:32 PM: Addeds are approved (12-0). Our missing councillor tonight is @BrianReitzel. #ygkc ^TV
7:33 PM: We’ve got some declarations of pecuniary interest from Coun. Downes, Coun. George, Coun. Hutchison and @MayorOfKingston. #ygkc ^TV
7:34 PM: There’s a presentation of the builder’s plate from the 1095 restoration, to commemorate the partnership and the work done. #ygkc ^TV
7:37 PM: Coun. Osanic is looking to add a delegation to the agenda. That passes 11-1 (@DorothyAHector opposed). #ygkc ^TV
7:38 PM: Our first delegation is @farmgirlfood. #ygkc ^TV
7:40 PM: Farm Girl already leases space from the city in City Park. Peter Bolger is speaking about recent food trends. #ygkc ^TV
7:41 PM: Vancouver, St. Catherine’s, Ottawa, Toronto and Montreal have already amended by-laws to allow food trucks. #ygkc ^TV
7:43 PM: Tamara Bolger speaks about the marketing and promotional work done and recognition on the provincial and national stages. #ygkc ^TV
7:44 PM: @DorothyAHector asks about if the parks changes would be enough. Tamara reiterates that some parts of city are “food deserts”. #ygkc ^TV
7:45 PM: Coun. Downes jokingly asks about if the @farmgirlfood truck has bells; it doesn’t. #ygkc ^TV
7:46 PM: We’re now hearing from Mr. Jacques Menard, Mr. Keith Thomas, Mr. John Colwell, and Mr. John McLean of Friends of Belle Park. #ygkc ^TV
7:48 PM: A quick point of order from Coun. Downes on the naming, he objected to use of “The Hurdle Report”. Delegation apologized. #ygkc ^TV
7:52 PM: Friends of Belle Park is looking to manage the golf course. Says they have experts, dedicated citizens and volunteers. #ygkc ^TV
7:53 PM: @councillorberg asks if they are a non-profit, they’re not; speaker says they are a volunteer association. #ygkc ^TV
7:55 PM: She also asked about risk, given the nature of the site as a former landfill. Group says liability would still fall to city. #ygkc ^TV
8:04 PM: @DorothyAHector asks again about maintaining the course without creating larger risks, given the site is a landfill. #ygkc ^TV
8:06 PM: Coun. Downes asks about if a golf swing would dig up the garbage. Delegation compares golf use to the “massive” solar farm idea. #ygkc ^TV
8:07 PM: Next, we’re hearing from Janice Saunders, President, Kingston Humane Society about the dog/cat/rabbit sales in pet stores #ygkc ^TV
8:08 PM: The proposal tonight would prohibit dogs, cats and rabbits in pet stores. #ygkc ^TV
8:12 PM: We’re now moving to the 4th delegation: Karen Lush, Jessica Hellard and Alison Migneault from Kingston Animal Rescue. #ygkc ^TV
8:16 PM: One local pet store has asked for the bylaw to be delayed to June, 2014. The delegation says that businesses have had enough time. #ygkc ^TV
8:18 PM: @JimNeill3 asks to add another delegation, former councillor Steve Garrison Carries 10-2 (@DorothyAHector and Coun. Scott oppose) #ygkc ^TV
8:19 PM: Garrison opens with “Thank you Mayor Ro–” before stopping and apologizing. He only held office under the past mayor. #ygkc ^TV
8:20 PM: Garrison compares Belle Park and Lake Ontario Park, library, transit, the Grand and others. Not all services used by all people. #ygkc ^TV
8:25 PM: Gallery applauds after Garrison’s delegation completes. @MayorOfKingston warns not to make noise again. #ygkc ^TV
8:26 PM: Coun. Osanic presents a petition encouraging the city to give pound services to Kingston Humane Society. #ygkc ^TV
8:28 PM: @JimNeill3 presents a petition about the development on Johnson St, calling for a public meeting. #ygkc ^TV
8:29 PM: #ygkc extends congratulations to Richard Kizell, John Smol, Julie Bates, Shannon Horrigan, and Leonid Nediak. #ygkc ^TV
8:30 PM: They also extend condolences to the family and friends of Bill Thake, Mayor of Westport and those of Peter Swan. #ygkc ^TV
8:31 PM: And also to the people of Lac-Megantic and the families of those who lost loved ones in that tragedy. #ygkc ^TV
8:32 PM: And motions of speedy recovery to the people of Toronto and Calgary as they work to clean and recover from the floodings. #ygkc ^TV
8:33 PM: An amendment from @councillorberg to amend the motion of condolence to the people of Lac-Megantic, carries unanimously. #ygkc ^TV
8:33 PM: Amendment sees all municipal flags lowered to half-mast through the end of the week. #ygkc ^TV
8:34 PM: We’re into report 90 from the CAO, Consent. Has items a-x. #ygkc ^TV
8:36 PM: Items a, b, e, m and p have been separated out; the balance are being dealt with as a whole. I’ll recap them shortly. #ygkc ^TV
8:37 PM: They carry unanimously. We go back to item a, asking for an exemption from noise by-law for Mr. Nice Cream. #ygkc ^TV
8:38 PM: The amendment drops “Mr. Nice Cream” in favour of all ice cream trucks. #ygkc ^TV
8:39 PM: Amendment is from Coun. George with @JimNeill3 as the seconder. #ygkc ^TV
8:40 PM: @JimNeill3 says that the amendment would satisfy his intent from a new motion later. Amendment carries 12-0. #ygkc ^TV
8:40 PM: The amended item carries, too. #ygkc ^TV
8:42 PM: We pause on item (b) for a quick Q&A betwen Coun. Hutchison and staff before it carries 12-0. #ygkc ^TV
8:43 PM: Item e, which is the extension of the Grade 9 transit pass to grade 10s is up. @JimNeill3 separated to applaud staff’s work. #ygkc ^TV
8:43 PM: It carried, 11-0. Coun. Downes excused on the vote as a school board employee. #ygkc ^TV
8:44 PM: We pause on item (m) about the proposed Ribfest & Craft Beer Festival in September. #ygkc ^TV
8:45 PM: Coun. Glover asks about the difference between the municipal alcohol policy and the arts policy for insurance coverage. #ygkc ^TV
8:47 PM: Ribfest carries 11-1; Coun. Downes opposed. Item p, acquisition of 1318 Princess St. carries 11-0 (Coun. Hutchison on conflict). #ygkc ^TV
8:48 PM: And we’re into Report 91 from the CAO, Consent. We open with a briefing from Comm. Hurdle. #ygkc ^TV
8:53 PM: The staff rec. is to close the fairway, keep the driving range as a pilot project and start the redevelopment process on the park. #ygkc ^TV
8:55 PM: Among other approvals in the last big report, council approved transit agreements with both @QueensAMS and @SAvoiceSLC. #ygkc ^TV
8:56 PM: They also approved the road extension connecting Cat Woods Drive from Centennial to Sydenham. #ygkc ^TV
8:57 PM: They also approved a park&ride agreement at the Kingston Gospel Temple and appointed 5 members to the remuneration committee. #ygkc ^TV
9:00 PM: Coun. Downes asks about why they’ve started to take such an intense look at this park. Comm Hurdle says council asked staff to. #ygkc ^TV
9:01 PM: @JimNeill3 asks about liability. City Solicitor Linscott confirms that the land would still be the city’s. #ygkc ^TV
9:01 PM: … but adds that the city requires insurance from operators conducting activities on the land, such as the golf course. #ygkc ^TV
9:04 PM: Comm Hurdle confirms to @JimNeill3 that no union employees would lose work under any option; may be relocated. #ygkc ^TV
9:09 PM: Coun. Glover asks about the pilot project of Opt. 1 and not of Opt. 3. @MayorOfKingston steps in and says they could do that. #ygkc ^TV
9:15 PM: Linscott reminds council and staff of the past issues with the belle park site: convictions and fines were involved last time. #ygkc ^TV
9:21 PM: Coun. Hutchison is questioning why there were such major jumps in costs in some years.
9:26 PM: Coun. Scott asks how many golf courses there are (he says 4 + 2 driving ranges); wants to know if they’re having troubles, too. #ygkc ^TV
9:28 PM: Comm. Hurdles says they don’t know about operations in the private sector, but has seen other municipalites do the same. #ygkc ^TV
9:28 PM: With the briefing and Q&A done, we move to the item discussion. Coun. Downes says this is an issue of taxpayer subsidies. #ygkc ^TV
9:29 PM: Coun. Downes says that the Friends of Belle Park group are simply trying to make the place work. #ygkc ^TV
9:30 PM: Coun. Downes says that the city also subsidizes swimming, skateboarding, cycling and hockey. Encourages council defeat opt. 1. #ygkc ^TV
9:33 PM: @MayorOfKingston says he took a walk through the dump site, not the park, to see what it looked like. #ygkc ^TV
9:34 PM: @MayorOfKingston says comparisons to Lk. Ontario Park aren’t fair: That park is intensely used. #ygkc ^TV
9:35 PM: @MayorOfKingston says the status quo is a bad idea; Wants an RFP process and wants to see change. #ygkc ^TV
9:37 PM: @JimNeill3 says it’s not “either/or” – the residents are already using it as a dog park and recreational trails. #ygkc ^TV
9:42 PM: @JimNeill3 says he would like the Friend of Belle Park to have a chance. Will be voting against this. #ygkc ^TV
9:44 PM: There’s some procedural questions being proposed about how this option may go ahead. #ygkc ^TV
9:47 PM: @MayorOfKingston makes ruling that the procedure, if option 1 fails, says that we continue to move onto the next item. #ygkc ^TV
9:48 PM: @councillorberg says that the Friends of Belle Park have done good work, but is not site-specific. This site doesn’t need golf. #ygkc ^TV
9:49 PM: Coun. Paterson suggests council look at strategic priority to protect and enhance green space. #ygkc ^TV
9:50 PM: He adds that while a golf course is a green space, it’s a restricted green space: Requires knowledge of the sport and money. #ygkc ^TV
9:53 PM: @DorothyAHector says that the financial part is a red herring; says that the real issue is the environmental risks. #ygkc ^TV
9:54 PM: She adds that golf is probably not the best use of the land, given its history as a land fill. #ygkc ^TV
9:55 PM: @DorothyAHector says she remembers the Queen’s visit in the 60s. @MayorOfKingston chirps in: “You’re old!” #mayorjokes #ygkc ^TV
9:57 PM: @DorothyAHector says that the community can’t afford to have more environmental issues with that site. #ygkc ^TV
9:58 PM: Coun. Glover offers amendment to replace option 1 with option 3, seconded by Coun. Osanic. #ygkc ^TV
10:00 PM: Coun. Glover suggests that if the RFP process suggested in option 3 fails, they can still come back to option 1. #ygkc ^TV
10:01 PM: He wants staff to come back before first meeting in September with an RFP timeline. #ygkc ^TV
10:04 PM: Coun. Hutchison supporting the amendment; says that it’s worth the chance to answer the questions that remain. #ygkc ^TV
10:07 PM: Coun. Osanic speaking to support the amendment, too; says that some members may have been opting out because of rumoured closure. #ygkc ^TV
10:08 PM: She also adds comparisons at Mississauga and Toronto, who run profitable municipal golf courses. #ygkc ^TV
10:11 PM: This is tweet 10,000! Thanks for commenting, reading, interacting and following along! #ygk
10:11 PM: @DorothyAHector suggested closed session for a chat with the solicitor… But he said it’s not required at this time. #ygkc ^TV
10:14 PM: @MayorOfKingston agrees with Coun. Glover that there should be a try. He just wants to see something successful at the park. #ygkc ^TV
10:16 PM: Motion to amend carries 7-5. Opposed are @councillorberg @DorothyAHector Coun. Paterson Coun. Schell Coun. Scott. #ygkc ^TV
10:16 PM: Motion as amended carries 9-3. @councillorberg, @DorothyAHector and Coun. Scott the opposed. #ygkc ^TV
10:18 PM: Council opts to seek RFP to contract out operations of Belle Park Fairways. #ygkc ^TV
10:19 PM: THE STOPWATCH HAS BROKEN! @MayorOfKingston #ygkc ^TV
10:19 PM: Second half of report 91 carries, 11-0. #ygkc ^TV
10:20 PM: We move into report 92 from planning, which jumps us 20+ pages, carries 10-0/ Downes and George both out on that vote. #ygkc ^TV
10:22 PM: We’re into report 93 from planning. Starting with the implementation of the Williamsville Main Street Study. #ygkc ^TV
10:24 PM: Williamsville item carries 12-0. @MayorOfKingston passes the chair for the rest of report on a conflict. #ygkc ^TV
10:26 PM: Items 2 and 3 carry; Coun. Osanic was the lone opposed to item 2. #ygkc ^TV
10:32 PM: Discussion is on zoning amendment for the properties at 363, 365 and 367 Johnson St. #ygkc ^TV
10:38 PM: Item 4 carries 9-2. So we move into item 5, covering 637-655 Johnson St. #ygkc ^TV
10:43 PM: Coun. Glover says that the proposed building isn’t to be student-only, but it’s all multi-bedroom units, and not afford. housing. #ygkc ^TV
10:45 PM: Some debate between Coun. Glover and current chair, @councillorberg; Glover called a point of order on staff speaking out of turn. #ygkc ^TV
10:45 PM: Chair is returned to @MayorOfKingston for 10:45. We’re looking for a motion to extend. #ygkc ^TV
10:46 PM: @MayorOfKingston says his intent is to reconvene on Thursday if not complete. #ygkc ^TV
10:47 PM: @DorothyAHector motions to complete the agenda. Seconded by Coun. George. #ygkc ^TV
10:47 PM: Carries 8-4: @councillorberg, Coun. Glover, Coun. Hutchison, Coun. Scott opposed. #ygkc ^TV
10:52 PM: @JimNeill3 moves deferral so that a second public meeting on the site can be had. #ygkc ^TV
10:57 PM: Deferral loses on a tie. After some Q&A, Item carries 6-4, Coun. Glover, Coun. Hutchison, @JimNeill3 and Coun. Osanic opposed. #ygkc ^TV
11:00 PM: We’re into Report 93, Item 6. Coun. Hutchison voices comments in opposition, and the chair is returned to @MayorOfKingston. #ygkc ^TV
11:04 PM: Chair returns back to @councillorberg (Still possible conflict from Mayor), and the question is called on it. #ygkc ^TV
11:05 PM: Carries 6-4, Coun. Glover, Coun. Hutchison, @JimNeill3 and Coun. Osanic opposed. We move to item 7. #ygkc ^TV
11:05 PM: Item 7 carries 11-0; We lost Coun. Downes around 10:50-ish, so 11 is the new unanimous. #ygkc ^TV
11:07 PM: Report 94 from heritage clears all as one, carries 10-1; @DorothyAHector stepped out for a few minutes it seems. #ygkc ^TV
11:08 PM: Heritage Report 95 carries 10-0, too. We move to the APC report, just in time for @DorothyAHector to return. #ygkc ^TV
11:09 PM: Report 96, which is a tax write-offs item, carries 11-0. We move to Report 97, which is the pet sales item. #ygkc ^TV
11:10 PM: No debate on the item. Carries 9-2. Coun. Paterson and Coun. Scott opposed. #ygkc ^TV
11:11 PM: And now we move into Report 98, which again only has one item: an update to the traffic calming policy. #ygkc ^TV
11:12 PM: Council votes 9-2, to prohibit the sale of dogs, cats and rabbits in #ygk. Will allow rescue groups to set up adoption centres. #ygkc ^TV
11:13 PM: Traffic calming policy update is approved, 11-0. We move to Rural Advisory Report 99, which carries 11-0. #ygkc ^TV
11:15 PM: And the last report of the night, number 100, comes from the nominations committee. #ygkc ^TV
11:16 PM: Appointments to the Municipal Heritage Committee and the Museums and Collections Advisory Committee covered. Items pass 11-0. #ygkc ^TV
11:17 PM: Out of the reports, and into Misc Business. We open with Peace Day in Kingston being proclaimed for Sept 21, 2013. Carried 11-0. #ygkc ^TV
11:19 PM: Coun. Glover volunteers, too, to be on the Museums and Collections Advisory Committee and it’s confirmed 11-0. #ygkc ^TV
11:19 PM: Council also confirms use of the KRC suite 11-0. New motion 1 is off the table, too; already covered earlier. #ygkc ^TV
11:22 PM: First new motion is a request of the province; triggered as a result of the recent land ambulance cut. #ygkc ^TV
11:24 PM: The request is to have the minister direct communities to give 30-day notices with the affected neighbours. #ygkc ^TV
11:24 PM: @MayorOfKingston will be voting against it; comments that the request would limit what the city can do. #ygkc ^TV
11:30 PM: Coun. George will be supporting the motion; wants to see more open dialogue between the city and county. #ygkc ^TV
11:34 PM: Carries 7-4. We move into the street vendor policy review item. #ygkc ^TV
11:35 PM: Public policy meeting was held last night. @DorothyAHector comments that areas outside of downtown can be considered. #ygkc ^TV
11:38 PM: @JimNeill3 voices a question to confirm that there will be additional public consultation. Commissioner confirms. #ygkc ^TV
11:39 PM: Coun. Hutchison says he is concerned that tonight’s delegation was very self-promotional. Wants to see RFPs. #ygkc ^TV
11:39 PM: Coun. Scott says he’s really excited for this as rural area has lots of food deserts: Lots of parks and very little options. #ygkc ^TV
11:41 PM: The motion carries 10-0. APC to look into more food options for food trucks and licensing. #ygkc ^TV
11:42 PM: Next item is to invite the Council of Alderville First Nation to team up with the city on a commemorative project. #ygkc ^TV
11:43 PM: Carries 11-0. We move on to a reimbursement of costs to set up a banner on Princess St to the Mem. Cntr market. #ygkc ^TV
11:44 PM: They’re setting up a banner above Princess St at Frontenac St, and the reimbursement is for the admin. costs of that banner. #ygkc ^TV
11:45 PM: @JimNeill3 commented that this would likely be the only time the group asked for money. #ygkc ^TV
11:47 PM: @DorothyAHector says that theres nothing in the motion that says this is one-time. Also, only Utilities Kingston can install it. #ygkc ^TV
11:48 PM: @MayorOfKingston is ruling the suggestion of a “one time” wording would be out of order. It’s not controllable. #ygkc ^TV
11:51 PM: Some comment back and forth between @DorothyAHector and @MayorOfKingston about procedure. #ygkc ^TV
11:51 PM: @MayorOfKingston says that the issue is simple and is different than other banners as it’s pointing to the market. #ygkc ^TV
11:53 PM: He adds that $696.50 is a small price to pay to promote this market. #ygkc ^TV
11:55 PM: @JimNeill3 says that this would not be precedent-setting: these are always addressed on a case-by-case basis. #ygkc ^TV
11:56 PM: Motion to refund the banner cost carries 11-0. No notices of motion and the minutes clear 11-0. We’re into by-laws! #ygkc ^TV
12:05 AM: After much technical and vote confusion, the by-laws all clear. We’re out. 12:05am. Next meeting: August 13, 2013. #ygkc ^TV
12:06 AM: Thanks for following along – our recap (and youtube) will be available tomorrow! #ygkc ^TV

Thanks to reneilet for today’s original photo.

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Hall Monitor: Fore The Animals

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