Hall Monitor: Fare Votes

March 20, 2013July 26, 2017 Josie Vallier

As usual, council and city staff took to Council Chambers for our regular council meeting last night; the agenda and addeds are available on the city website.

Last night we didn’t get to see a new piece of the tech system, which was probably for the better, as there were still a few hiccups in the voting process. They’ve gotten much better, overall, though.

The meeting last night handled a lot of items, but the big one to point out is the parking and transit fare increases which will roll in in 2014 and 2015. This is part of the ongoing work to improve transit and get more people to ride the bus. A lot of the discussion was on the general subsidization of parking spaces happening right now, and comparisons to other communities. Council also granted $30,000 to start an exercise to envision the future of the Portsmouth Olympic Harbour, agreed to move the head of the Rideau Trail to Confederation Park, discussed and confirmed an update for the Westbrook soccer field project and granted the licenses for the Memorial Centre market. Oh, and the Invista Centre got to keep it’s name… But the K-Rock Centre became the Rogers K-Rock Centre.

There was a fun policy debate, too, on the differences between a briefing and a delegation so far as the procedural by-law sees them… Which changed the wording of a proposed motion before it could be accepted to the agenda… and defeated in the vote.

Our full tweet stream is below. Council has a special meeting tonight that I, sadly, won’t be at. Our next regular meeting will be April 9th.

7:24 PM: All ready for #ygkc. We’ll have the stream running soon. #ygkc ^TV
7:33 PM: And away we go! Having tech issues with the stream – I’ll have it up soon! #ygkc ^TV
7:34 PM: No closed session tonight, so we open with a quorum declaration, and away we go. #ygkc ^TV
7:35 PM: A bit of a vote delay, and we approve the addeds. It’s @DorothyAHector’s first night with the new tech. #ygkc ^TV
7:36 PM: I believe we’re up and running at http://t.co/3K7qIglGvM #ygkc ^TV
7:37 PM: We’ve got a motion from @JimNeill3 asking to move up an item from New Motions to add a delegation to tonight’s meeting. #ygkc ^TV
7:37 PM: Normally, this would be on the addeds, but it was submitted too early. #ygkc ^TV
7:38 PM: The delegation request motion is defeated. #ygkc ^TV
7:41 PM: Motions of congrats and condolences all pass, and we move quickly into Report 48 (CAO Consent). #ygkc ^TV
7:42 PM: Separations of (h) and (j) for Coun. Downes (Conflict) and Scott. #ygkc ^TV
7:42 PM: This motion, amongst other items covers the new KRC name, renews the Invista Centre name and reduces spd limits in school zones. #ygkc ^TV
7:43 PM: The bulk carries 12-0; we have no Coun. George here tonight. #ygkc ^TV
7:45 PM: Item (h), parking at Sir John school passes, 11-0; some trouble getting Coun. Downes signed out. #ygkc ^TV
7:46 PM: A bit of chatter between Coun. Glover, @MayorOfKingston and the Clerk about listing missing votes. Not doable. #ygkc ^TV
7:47 PM: Some questions from Coun. Scott ahead of a vote on rural speed limit changes; Staff says it’s part of a phase-in. #ygkc ^TV
7:48 PM: From @MayorOfKingston: “Has everybody voted?… Do it again… What if it was me?” #mayorjokes #ygkc ^TV
7:48 PM: A second small hiccup in voting and the speed limit reductions pass; we’re into report 49 (CAO Rec.) now. #ygkc ^TV
7:51 PM: Small amendment to 49 (1) to add a letter of thanks for a $100k grant for the Tett passes 12-0; as does the item. #ygkc ^TV
7:52 PM: Question from Coun. Hutchison about ownership of the field at the upcoming Westbrook Indoor Sports facility. #ygkc ^TV
7:54 PM: The item is calling for a private sector company to buy the physical dome, and operate the facility in the winter. #ygkc ^TV
7:55 PM: Staff confirms to Coun. Hutchison, too, that the facility would be a lease to the operator in the winter, no cost to city. #ygkc ^TV
8:00 PM: Coun. Glover confirming through staff that the field in question and it’s land is owned by the city. #ygkc ^TV
8:01 PM: Coun. Glover asking about how the item is being prioritized; Com. Hurdle reminds council that there’s no cost for the dome. #ygkc ^TV
8:02 PM: She also adds, too, that the field has already made it through the capital budget. Construction starts in the spring. #ygkc ^TV
8:03 PM: @JimNeill3 also confirming that the city will operate the city during the regular season. #ygkc ^TV
8:04 PM: Indoor soccer dome is approved 12-0; we move to a task force on development implementation item. #ygkc ^TV
8:06 PM: Coun. Glover asking about how items are prioritized. Staff is saying the report with options will go to planning cmtee. #ygkc ^TV
8:11 PM: @DorothyAHector asking the solicitor about the city’s ability to ask for the removal of the OMB; solicitor confirms it can. #ygkc ^TV
8:14 PM: Question is called on the task force item, which carries 12-0. As does the sports and rec grant partnership. #ygkc ^TV
8:15 PM: Planning item was withdrawn; so we move straight to Heritage. #ygkc ^TV
8:16 PM: Separation of a few items with comments from Coun. Glover on praise to staff for taking initiative with city properties. #ygkc ^TV
8:17 PM: We move to Q&A on new signage at city hall. Coun. Schell asks for a sample of the signs. #ygkc ^TV
8:19 PM: The new signs carry 12-0; we now have a question from @councillorberg about item 5. #ygkc ^TV
8:19 PM: New room number signs are being passed around councillors; Coun. Glover comments that wayfinding signs don’t need to have french. #ygkc ^TV
8:21 PM: Staff confirms to @councillorberg that changes to the building would need to come back for approval. #ygkc ^TV
8:22 PM: The item passes, 12-0, and we move to ARCP report, number 52. #ygkc ^TV
8:24 PM: We get a conflict declaration from Coun. Hutchison on item 2, the rest of the report passes 12-0. #ygkc ^TV
8:28 PM: Some Q & A about the intention and impact of the item ahead of the vote, which passed 11-0 (Coun. Hutchison conflict) #ygkc ^TV
8:29 PM: EITP report up now, items were separated, and we’re looking at parking and transit rates right now. #ygkc ^TV
8:30 PM: Staff tells Coun. Osanic that they did not compare rates to other cities; general practice is not to do this. #ygkc ^TV
8:31 PM: Coun. Osanic is okay with the 2014 rate increase; but not the proposed increase for 2015. #ygkc ^TV
8:33 PM: Coun. Osanic suggesting that all parking lots are not equal and is quoting parking rates from other communities. #ygkc ^TV
8:35 PM: Coun. Osanic says that increasing parking to push to transit isn’t feasible for everyone’s lifestyle. #ygkc ^TV
8:36 PM: @MayorOfKingston comments that he’s not timing Coun. Osanic because he doesn’t usually have to cut her off. She wraps up. #ygkc ^TV
8:37 PM: Coun. Downes asking about the cost of creating an on-street spot. Staff says it’s “relatively low”. #ygkc ^TV
8:38 PM: Coun. Downes continues with a request for the cost of another “surface” spot; staff says “that depends”, many variables. #ygkc ^TV
8:39 PM: Coun. Downes did some research, says it costs $15k; asks if that’s a reasonable ballpark. #ygkc ^TV
8:40 PM: Staff says that a within-structure site would be 40-50k, 15k sounds “quite reasonable” for an above ground spot. #ygkc ^TV
8:41 PM: Coun. Downes asking if the city would get enough revenue with proposed fees to cover costs. #ygkc ^TV
8:42 PM: Staff says no, they wouldn’t. Cost for the spaces would be 285.00/mo. #ygkc ^TV
8:42 PM: Coun. Downes suggests the city is subsidizing spaces; feels that a cost-recovery policy is reasonable. #ygkc ^TV
8:43 PM: Coun. Downes says that policy needs to be created that addresses the city subsidy situation. #ygkc ^TV
8:45 PM: Coun. Downes suggesting that the behavior goals need to be put aside; need to focus on cost recovery. Supporting motion. #ygkc ^TV
8:47 PM: @JimNeill3 suggests that transit is a reasonable options; new express buses and park&ride locations will help. #ygkc ^TV
8:48 PM: … adds that he has an issue subsidizing parking spaces for non-residents who do come in to park. #ygkc ^TV
8:52 PM: @JimNeill3 gets confirmation from @MayorOfKingston that the voting record will with minutes. #ygkc ^TV
8:53 PM: Coun. Hutchison re-affirming that comparisons to other cities are complicated because of differing populations, transit. #ygkc ^TV
8:55 PM: Coun. Glover says that there was a 2004 study that the whole Sydenham district is already a parking spillover area. #ygkc ^TV
8:56 PM: Coun. Glover cites a 79.00/month price he noticed at a private lot this morning as a better comparison point. #ygkc ^TV
8:57 PM: Coun. Glover adds that the report has been a tremendous amount of staff time and work and should be passed. #ygkc ^TV
8:58 PM: Coun. Scott says this is a tough motion for him, @MayorOfKingston asks if the rural is a spillover as well. #mayorjokes #ygkc ^TV
8:59 PM: Coun. Scott says that while comparisons to other cities is tough, we should be comparing to larger communities, Ott, Tor. #ygkc ^TV
9:00 PM: Parking/transit fees increase pass 11-1; Coun. Osanic the only vote against. #ygkc ^TV
9:01 PM: And the other item, a traffic calming policy review passes, too. Onto Misc business. #ygkc ^TV
9:01 PM: Council declares Apr 2 as World Autism Awareness Day in #ygk (Vote passes 12-0) #ygkc ^TV
9:02 PM: Into new motions, first is 30k for a visioning meeting for an update/upgrade of Portsmouth Olympic Harbour. #ygkc ^TV
9:04 PM: The last time there was a major investment in the area was 1976; the building is big, and loses money each year. #ygkc ^TV
9:06 PM: Coun. Schell says the visioning would be the start of a process that would take the site from a loss to a profit. #ygkc ^TV
9:07 PM: Coun. Osanic confirms to Coun. Scott that the 30k figure comes from staff. Coun. Scott likes idea, asks about current financials. #ygkc ^TV
9:08 PM: Current use: marina office, some customer service offices; rents second floor for a restaurant. Cost: 300k/yr. #ygkc ^TV
9:08 PM: Investment in the next 3yrs is estimated at 3 million for repairs and maintenance. #ygkc ^TV
9:09 PM: Coun. Hutchison asking about depts; Staff says the visioning would likely be lead by parks and rec, other staff & depts involved. #ygkc ^TV
9:10 PM: Coun. Hutchison confirms through staff that there are already a lot of projects with parks, who is already really busy. #ygkc ^TV
9:11 PM: Coun. Hutchison likes the idea, so long as projects are taken in a proper priority; asks about marina study consideration. #ygkc ^TV
9:12 PM: @MayorOfKingston likes the idea, jokes that he wishes it was the former councilor that had presented it. #mayorjokes #ygkc ^TV
9:13 PM: @MayorOfKingston is looking forward to the results; says they need to come forward before prioritization. #ygkc ^TV
9:14 PM: That item carries unanimously; we move to a relocation of the head of rideau trail. #ygkc ^TV
9:15 PM: Coun. Schell stands to speak on this item, too: “Busy meeting for me”. The idea came fwd a year ago, staff didn’t have time. #ygkc ^TV
9:16 PM: Ottawa recently moved their end to the Rideau locks, which is what triggered the research for Kingston’s end. #ygkc ^TV
9:17 PM: This item will move the end from King St near SLC down to Confederation Park. #ygkc ^TV
9:18 PM: @councillorberg asks about time sensitivity, and why this came straight to council instead of through parks capital. #ygkc ^TV
9:19 PM: 2013 budget was limited to critical items; this item was already planned for the 2014 budget, this just bumps it fwd. #ygkc ^TV
9:19 PM: [email protected] confirms with the CAO that the working fund is the right funding source; item passes 12-0. #ygkc ^TV
9:20 PM: We now re-visit the item from earlier about the request for a delegation for tonight. #ygkc ^TV
9:21 PM: @JimNeill3 comments about the unfortunateness that it wasn’t pushed up. A friendly amendment moves the date to Apr 9. #ygkc ^TV
9:22 PM: @JimNeill3 says that a non-local group spoke already; adds this is a local group, request was not on a busy night. #ygkc ^TV
9:23 PM: @JimNeill3 asking about the procedural practice of how this would fall; group would be 1st of three allowed to speak. #ygkc ^TV
9:25 PM: Coun. Downes talking about a past council and a study on min wages; says council needs to listen to residents. #ygkc ^TV
9:26 PM: Coun. Downes is saying that despite it not being a municipal issue, local council should be open to hearing out all sides. #ygkc ^TV
9:27 PM: Coun. Schell comments that she is looking forward to the hospital; agrees with Coun. Downes about hearing all sides. #ygkc ^TV
9:29 PM: His point is that a delegation is supposed to speak to an item on the current agenda. (Procedural bylaw) #ygkc ^TV
9:29 PM: Coun. Paterson: “always supportive of information”, comments about the procedural difference between a briefing and a delg. #ygkc ^TV
9:30 PM: Coun. Paterson says that this type of information would be better done as a briefing, not a delegation. #ygkc ^TV
9:31 PM: Coun. Hutchison says that the item is about funding, too; and that hospitals are “always” on the agenda. #ygkc ^TV
9:33 PM: The debate here, regarding briefing v. delegation, is addressed in Bylaw 2010-1, Sections 11.5 and 11.13. #ygkc ^TV
9:35 PM: Okay…who ordered the snow?
9:35 PM: @MayorOfKingston says that the last delegation (We were off-site) became an inquisition of the councilors asking them for info. #ygkc ^TV
9:36 PM: @MayorOfKingston says that the discussion on funding should be at provincial level, that type of item is not the city’s job. #ygkc ^TV
9:37 PM: … summarizes that the city’s job is the property: sewer, water, lights, plowing, etc. #ygkc ^TV
9:38 PM: @JimNeill3 wonders aloud why he’d vote in favour of money if hospitals are provincial. Reaffirms that the group is local. #ygkc ^TV
9:38 PM: @JimNeill3 mentioning the 1.6 million/yr for a decade, @MayorOfKingston voted in favour of that as a councilor. #ygkc ^TV
9:40 PM: @JimNeill3 suggests a friendly amend to make it a briefing, @MayorOfKingston says out of order. It’s a reg amendment proposal. #ygkc ^TV
9:40 PM: Amendment proposed would now switch this from a delegation to a briefing. #ygkc ^TV
9:42 PM: Coun. Downes says that he’s concerned that the procedural bylaw is appearing to be a barrier to speech. #ygkc ^TV
9:42 PM: @MayorOfKingston rules Coun. Downes out of order for straying too far from the brifing v delegation debate. #ygkc ^TV
9:43 PM: Coun. Downes sums up: “I think they should be allowed to speak”. Coun. Paterson says that the wording doesn’t change intent. #ygkc ^TV
9:45 PM: @MayorOfKingston stops Coun. Paterson for trailing off-point, too. Coun. Glover quoting 2010-1 briefing definition, now. #ygkc ^TV
9:45 PM: Coun. Glover says that the group meets the definition of a group who may present a briefing, is in support. #ygkc ^TV
9:46 PM: @MayorOfKingston “concurs wholeheartedly” with Coun. Glover; supporting the amendment, still planning to vote against item. #ygkc ^TV
9:48 PM: @JimNeill3 asking about the changes; says it’s puzzling that some are in favor of a word change but still against the item. #ygkc ^TV
9:49 PM: Amendment passes 9-3, Councillors @councillorberg, Paterson and Scott vote against the amendment. #ygkc ^TV
9:51 PM: @DorothyAHector calls a point of order to mention that the item, now a briefing, only needs simple majority. #ygkc ^TV
9:51 PM: Motion carries, 7-5; Councillors @councillorberg, @DorothyAHector, Coun. Paterson, Coun. Scott and @MayorOfKingston opposed. #ygkc ^TV
9:53 PM: We confirm minutes from the last meeting, carries 12-0. We go to communications, Coun. Downes asking about a date typo. #ygkc ^TV
9:55 PM: A large number of communications are being proposed to be deferred by Coun. Downes. #ygkc ^TV
9:56 PM: The deferral carries, 11-1; only @BrianReitzel votes against it – says some dates were present. #ygkc ^TV
9:57 PM: @DorothyAHector brings forward some updates from the FCM conference she was recently at. #ygkc ^TV
9:59 PM: @DorothyAHector adds that there are some specific FCM-related tweets as we move towards federal budget day. #ygkc ^TV
10:01 PM: Bylaws pass; and we get a 12-0 adjournment. 10:01 pm. Watch for the summary tomorrow. #ygkc ^TV
10:01 PM: @MayorOfKingston mentions that the mgr of intergovernmental affairs will be watching the upcoming budgest closely and reporting #ygkc ^TV

Thanks to reneilet for today’s original photo.

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