Hall Monitor: Speed Test

Last night, we all met back at Council Chamber for our regular council meeting – this time with even more of the new tech on trial. As always, the agenda and addeds are available on the city website.

Council did a whole lot of… very little, really. We opened with a Diamond Jubilee medal presentation and comments on an award the city recently won… and beyond that, there was a lot of direction to staff: Creation of a working group to explore the creation of the new Responsible Pet Ownership Policy, some research on blue-green algae, the okay to bring in help for the Williamsville bike lanes, some heritage zoning approvals, hamlet signage considerations and suggestion to the Ministry of Transportation on trees they’d like to see at the 401. They also confirmed the Memorial Centre hockey puck won’t be put back up, though, and gave the Yellow Bike Action a home at the Memorial Centre. Oh, and they almost changed procedural by-law to let others into debate. Well, if an 11-2 defeat can be considered almost.

The stream was it’s best yet, both in video quality and capabilities, but there are ongoing audio issues that I’ll iron out with the new tech. Hopefully for our next meeting. Also, did you catch the tech fail on my part in that last tweeet? The “1 you see there at the end is a shortcode I use to auto-tag my tweets with #ygkc and ^TV. Looks like it failed. Ah, technology.

The full tweet stream from last night is below. Our next meeting is March 5th.

• 7:26 PM: Getting all set up at city hall for #ygkc. Stream will be a little late, but the tweets start with the meeting around 7:30! #ygkc ^TV
• 7:34 PM: Clock on the fancy new screens reads 7:34pm. Looks like we’re stating a bit late. #ygkc ^TV
• 7:36 PM: Councillors starting to stream in now. We should be under way soon. #ygkc ^TV
• 7:45 PM: Away we go. #ygkc ^TV
• 7:47 PM: We open with @MayorOfKingston mentioning how the new tech is being phased in. We now move out of closed session w/ report. #ygkc ^TV
• 7:48 PM: The city moves to enter into a new 5-year agreement with the CAO. #ygkc ^TV
• 7:50 PM: @MayorOfKingston is presenting a Diamond Jubilee medal to Frank Rubia. #ygkc ^TV
• 7:52 PM: A couple of extra pictures of the recipient with @MayorOfKingston and the medal recipient. #ygkc ^TV
• 7:53 PM: @MayorOfKingston is now speaking about the FCM award that #ygk received for the brownfields work that they’ve been working on. #ygkc ^TV
• 7:54 PM: No delegations, briefings or petitions, so we move to motions of congratulations. #ygkc ^TV
• 7:55 PM: And speedily onto deferred motions. This one’s on blue-green algae. #ygkc ^TV
• 7:57 PM: The motions asks the KEAF to work with staff and the KFL&A to investigate causes, dangers and solutions. #ygkc ^TV
• 8:01 PM: Q&A btwn staff & Coun. Hutchison about time requirements. Staff is indicating that they can fit it in. Hutchison in favour of it. #ygkc ^TV
• 8:02 PM: CAO steps in to answer procedure and timing questions. Says that multiple groups would be involved, but it could get done. #ygkc ^TV
• 8:03 PM: Some jokes about the new cameras set up in the chamber. @JimNeill3 jokes about visible bald spots. #ygkc ^TV
• 8:04 PM: Report 37 (Funding for Tett Centre) clears (without separation, #mayorjokes) and we move quickly to 38. #ygkc ^TV
• 8:05 PM: Report 38 items (1) and (2) both clear to no discussion and We pause for discussion on Yellow Bike. #ygkc ^TV
• 8:06 PM: Comment from Coun. Hutchison were in favour with a heads up that them moving looses a set of concerned eyes on that park. #ygkc ^TV
• 8:07 PM: @JimNeill3 comments to welcome Yellow Bike to the Memorial Centre community and Williamsville. Item passes. #ygkc ^TV
• 8:08 PM: We’re now hearing comment from Coun. Scott on an item from SkyPower Global. The item passes. #ygkc ^TV
• 8:09 PM: We move to an item on the Williamsville bike lanes. Comment from @JimNeill3 thanking for the delay on this for the add’l research. #ygkc ^TV
• 8:10 PM: We hear from Coun. Osanic questioning the pieces in the working group covering pet store items. #ygkc ^TV
• 8:10 PM: We move to the appointment of the Responsible Pet Ownership Program Working Group. #ygkc ^TV
• 8:11 PM: Staff confirms that the working group will help to provide information to staff for the potential ban. Coun. Osanic is ammending. #ygkc ^TV
• 8:12 PM: Amendment would edit the membership to include specific groups by name. #ygkc ^TV
• 8:14 PM: @MayorOfKingston asking if the Spay/Neuter Kingston group and the Kingston Animal Rescue are formal non-profits. #ygkc ^TV
• 8:16 PM: Staff isn’t sure if they’re registered or not. @MayorOfKingston expresses concerns about an opinion shift – may be other opinions. #ygkc ^TV
• 8:18 PM: @MayorOfKingston not supporting the motion. @DorothyAHector agrees that the prescribed group names wouldn’t be fair. #ygkc ^TV
• 8:20 PM: A friendly amendment from Coun. Schell increases the number of people by one. #ygkc ^TV
• 8:25 PM: Fighting with wifi. Pet ownership item passes. So does heritage items. #ygkc ^TV
• 8:27 PM: We clear heritage items, included and amended signage item for KGH. Pet ownership program is delayed until the group is created. #ygkc ^TV
• 8:28 PM: We have also cleared the item that permanently removes the old hockey puck from the memorial centre grouns. #ygkc ^TV
• 8:29 PM: EITP (FCM long term infrastructure and 401 landscaping) clear and we move to rural advisory about hamlet signage. #ygkc ^TV
• 8:31 PM: Information report number 8, third crossing action plan, draws questions from @BrianReitzel. #ygkc ^TV
• 8:31 PM: Hamelet signage item passes and we move to information reports. #ygkc ^TV
• 8:33 PM: @BrianReitzel asking about the costs in the report. @MayorOfKingston speaks up making sure the BR is staying on the report. #ygkc ^TV
• 8:34 PM: @BrianReitzel asking about the cost of the action plan. CAO says that the item would go through budget process. #ygkc ^TV
• 8:38 PM: Question from @JimNeill3 about additional traffic assessments once the 401 widening is completed. #ygkc ^TV
• 8:38 PM: City engineering dept confirms to @BrianReitzel that the current planning phase would be handled by his dept. #ygkc ^TV
• 8:40 PM: Staff says that updates to Transportation Master Plan would continue every 5 years; would update these numbers then. #ygkc ^TV
• 8:41 PM: Staff confirm that additional information about traffic on the 401 would be included from the MTO. #ygkc ^TV
• 8:42 PM: Coun. Hutchison asking about funding. Report doesn’t specifically list debt. CAO says debt would play a part. #ygkc ^TV
• 8:43 PM: CAO is also confirming to Coun. Hutchison that the potential of tolls would be researched. #ygkc ^TV
• 8:45 PM: Coun. Hutchison asking about the “class” system for estimates. Van Buren explains how they get more accurate as we get closer. #ygkc ^TV
• 8:46 PM: And we move on to misc business. #ygkc ^TV
• 8:47 PM: A handful of committee appointments and resignations; Apr 2 2013 is now Oncology Nursing Day in #ygk. #ygkc ^TV
• 8:48 PM: A pair of appointments deferred until later in the meeting for a bit of research. #ygkc ^TV
• 8:50 PM: Amendment would move the information session to the APC meeting in March. #ygkc ^TV
• 8:50 PM: Item on the table now about a meeting of council on long term care services. Amendment from Coun. Downes on table. #ygkc ^TV
• 8:51 PM: Question from @DorothyAHector to staff on the current date/time selection. Mayor consults clerk on wording. #ygkc ^TV
• 8:52 PM: Clerk confirms to @MayorOfKingston that it would need to be a meeting of council. RD’s amendment would be too big of a change. #ygkc ^TV
• 8:54 PM: Amendment is now a special meeting of council ahead of the APC meeting in Mar 20. @DorothyAHector re-asks about the date selection #ygkc ^TV
• 8:55 PM: @MayorOfKingston mentions that if this had crossed his desk, he would have just picked a date. Staff says Mar 20 is no issue. #ygkc ^TV
• 8:56 PM: @MayorOfKingston asking why this wasn’t a CAO item instead of a pair of councillors. #ygkc ^TV
• 8:57 PM: @DorothyAHector, empathising the importance of this meeting, is okay with the date move. #ygkc ^TV
• 9:00 PM: A bit of time shuffle with this special #ygkc meeting. Now looks to be being set for Mar 20 2013 at 6:30pm. #ygkc ^TV
• 9:01 PM: Amended passes, motion passes. We get a late pecuniary from Coun. Downes before new motion 2. #ygkc ^TV
• 9:02 PM: Item is to allow a designate from the LDSB to participate in council discussion for electoral district boundaries. #ygkc ^TV
• 9:03 PM: @MayorOfKingston: This is highly unorthodox; they would participate in the debate, but not be able to vote. #ygkc ^TV
• 9:04 PM: Also, @MayorOfKingston comments that the item should be changed to include all school boards, not just the LDSB. #ygkc ^TV
• 9:05 PM: Coun. Hutchison comments that this item follows the recent trend of working more closely with the school boards. #ygkc ^TV
• 9:07 PM: @DorothyAHector agrees that the viewpoints are important, but the procedural bylaw should be followed. #ygkc ^TV
• 9:07 PM: @DorothyAHector: no issue in principal, but has problems with procedure. This would open a flood gate to others. #ygkc ^TV
• 9:08 PM: @DorothyAHector moves amendment that would have all school boards prepare a report instead of participating in debate. #ygkc ^TV
• 9:09 PM: City Solicitor comments that the other boards are at-large, @DorothyAHector’s amendment would still just be LDSB, then. #ygkc ^TV
• 9:10 PM: A comment from Coun. Schell in favour of the amendment as Coun. Downes couldn’t participate as it stands. #ygkc ^TV
• 9:11 PM: @JimNeill3 adds support to the amendment; participation should be allowed… but a waived by-law is precedent-setting. #ygkc ^TV
• 9:14 PM: @MayorOfKingston says that this is a different case than most, as this change directly impacts how their members are elected. #ygkc ^TV
• 9:16 PM: Coun. George adds support to @DorothyAHector’s amendment. Also echos @JimNeill3’s comments on the potential flood gate. #ygkc ^TV
• 9:18 PM: Coun. Glover adds another voice in favour of @DorothyAHector’s amendment including potential for other flexibilities. #ygkc ^TV
• 9:19 PM: Amendment Result: Pass 10-2 | REQ: MG | Yea: SB, KG, BG, DH, JN, LO, BP, BR, LS, JS | Nay: MG, RH #rv #ygkc ^TV
• 9:20 PM: Motion as amendment passes. We bounce back to the previously deferred items. #ygkc ^TV
• 9:21 PM: Technical snafu while Coun. Downes was having some issues forced everyone out and mics shut down. We get back on track. #ygkc ^TV
• 9:22 PM: They pass with no elections. No notices of motion and last meeting’s minutes get confirmed no problem. #ygkc ^TV
• 9:22 PM: Staff says dates for the meetings haven’t been set, so @MayorOfKingston asks about appointments. #ygkc ^TV
• 9:23 PM: Question from Coun. Glover about the technology; Clerk will hold the cards between meetings. #ygkc ^TV
• 9:25 PM: @BrianReitzel brings forward comments and a summary from a recent economic conference he attended. #ygkc ^TV
• 9:29 PM: A quick comment from @councillorberg for the last community meeting tomorrow night. @MayorOfKingston: “You beat me to it!” #ygkc ^TV
• 9:30 PM: Adjourned. 9:30 pm. #ygkc ^TV
• 9:30 PM: No additional other business, so we move to by-laws. #ygkc ^TV
• 9:31 PM: Thanks for following along, our recap will be on the website tomorrow! “1

Thanks to reneilet for today’s original photo.