Hall Monitor: Schooled

Last night, city council, staff and the public gathered in City Hall for Kingston City Council meeting number 15-2013. The city has published the agenda and addeds online.

The bulk of last night’s agenda were smaller items, though as it’s been said to me in the past, those are the ones that tend to make a meeting run long. Council did do quite a bit in it’s short meeting, though: they sold a small part of a lot on South Bartlett St, approved a patio for The Works, approve $442,000.00 for a consultant for a Rideau Heights Regeneration plan, approved two major park plans (Including a sand beach at Breakwater Park), updated the commemorative bench policy and approved a new on-street residential parking program pilot project.

There were three items that got a lot of attention, though the discussion of a change to the heritage committee ended up deferred – so we only dealt with two of them. Council, after much debate over fairness, need and perception, granted $30,000 to the Cataraqui Archaeology Research Foundation. They were in an urgent need for money and pro-actively offered some services to the city in exchange for the money so  that they could stay afloat.

The biggest item on the agenda was the discussion of the Memorial Centre lands as a possible home for a school. A pair of motions, one from George/Neill and one from Berg/Paterson were on the list. The first wanted to rule out the site, and the second was to direct staff to explore it’s availability, along with that of the Cook’s Arena – though an amendment added the arena to the first motion, too. After much discussion, it was the first motion on the table, which had council express a “clear commitment” to not use either site for a new school (Vote passed 9-3, Berg Paterson and Scott opposed). With that, the Mayor ruled the second motion out of order.

It was an early night for regular watchers – out at 10:03pm – perfect for a commuter week so that people could bus home. The next meeting will be in chambers on June 18th and then we switch to our summer schedule.

• 7:13 PM: Getting all set up at City Hall for tonight’s #ygkc meeting. We’ll be starting around 7:30pm! #ygk
• 7:38 PM: DING DING! 7:38pm start tonight. The stream will be up soon. #ygkc ^TV
• 7:40 PM: We’re starting without a report of the closed session. We’re now getting a number of announcements from @MayorOfKingston. #ygkc ^TV
• 7:41 PM: We’re starting with a discussion about the talking stick normally on display in @MayorOfKingston’s office. #ygkc ^TV
• 7:42 PM: The talking stick will be on display in chambers for both meetings in June for Aboriginal History Month. #ygkc ^TV
• 7:43 PM: We’re also hearing about a Key to the City presented to the CFB Base Commander by Coun. George this week. #ygkc ^TV
• 7:43 PM: We’ve also heard about Kingston in Bloom, Senior’s month, the commuter challenge and the poverty action plan. #ygkc ^TV
• 7:45 PM: Addeds are approved. We move into a Delegation from John Coleman. #ygkc ^TV
• 7:46 PM: Our stream is live, too: http://t.co/3K7qIglGvM #ygk #ygkc
• 7:48 PM: Coleman, President of the board at Cataraqui Archaeological Research Foundation is speaking about a funding request. #ygkc ^TV
• 7:49 PM: They are seeking an emergency, one time amount of $30k from the Working Fund Reserve to maintain operations. #ygkc ^TV
• 7:51 PM: @councillorberg asks about alternate funding. Delegation says that they came to council first to offer services. #ygkc ^TV
• 7:51 PM: They have talked to people at the provincial and federal levels, but have not heard an answer either way yet. Says it’s too early. #ygkc ^TV
• 7:54 PM: Coun. Glover asks about the recovery and museum process. We’re hearing a bit about how artifacts become gallery pieces. #ygkc ^TV
• 7:55 PM: Speaker says the items they have on display are mostly entrusted to them, but remain owned by the archaeologist that finds them. #ygkc ^TV
• 7:57 PM: @JimNeill3 asking about summer programs. Delegate has says that they’ve been successful, mostly. #ygkc ^TV
• 7:58 PM: This year’s summer camps have been canceled due to funding, but they’ve been partnered with other museums. #ygkc ^TV
• 8:00 PM: We next get a 53-signature petition from downtown businesses, looking for a tax deferral due to Princess St #bigdig. #ygkc ^TV
• 8:01 PM: A trio of congratulatory motions from council all clear and we move to Report 79 from the CAO (Consent). #ygkc ^TV
• 8:03 PM: Report items a, b and d clear; includes a patio on Clergy Street for @worksburger. #ygkc ^TV
• 8:04 PM: We’re hearing an item about South Bartlett St. Item is with regards to a stretch being sold to a developer. #ygkc ^TV
• 8:05 PM: The item is regarding the new Williamsville development. Same developer looking to buy the small chunk for parking entrance. #ygkc ^TV
• 8:06 PM: The item carried, 11-1 (@JimNeill3 opposed). Staff said the initial plan included the expectation of this sale. #ygkc ^TV
• 8:07 PM: We move to an item on the Climate Action Plan. Coun. Hutchison asking about the longevity of the 2004 predictions. #ygkc ^TV
• 8:09 PM: Climate Action Plan funding increase passes 12-0. We move to some chat about Rideau Heights Regeneration. #ygkc ^TV
• 8:11 PM: The motion is about awarding a bid for consulting services for the Rideau Heights Regeneration Strategy. #ygkc ^TV
• 8:12 PM: Staff is looking to award a contract to a non-lowest bidder and is explaining their rationale for selecting them as the winner. #ygkc ^TV
• 8:14 PM: The item carries, 12-0. #ygkc ^TV
• 8:17 PM: Report 80 from the CAO, recommend is up. We start with a motion on a procedural by-law for the heritage committee. #ygkc ^TV
• 8:22 PM: Coun. Glover is proposing an amendment to remove a section of the proposed by-law. #ygkc ^TV
• 8:22 PM: Legal is explaining to @MayorOfKingston that the proposal would make citizens adhere to to council standards on advs. cmtees. #ygkc ^TV
• 8:23 PM: Specifically, it would apply for heritag committee. #ygkc ^TV
• 8:26 PM: @MayorOfKingston, after some Q&A with legal, says he’s reluctant to remove the section Coun. Glover is proposing is deleted. #ygkc ^TV
• 8:27 PM: @MayorOfKingston’s concern is about putting citizens on the committees into difficult positions. #ygkc ^TV
• 8:31 PM: Coun. Schell says that the conflict would come up rarely. So few experts to choose from and we don’t want to limit our pool. #ygkc ^TV
• 8:33 PM: @JimNeill3 voices agreement with Coun. Schell. These types of limits will end up sending reports to council without expertise. #ygkc ^TV
• 8:40 PM: Coun. Glover, speaking last, says that if council isn’t okay with a removal, the whole thing should be deferred for re-wording. #ygkc ^TV
• 8:40 PM: Amendment loses 7-5. #ygkc ^TV
• 8:43 PM: @MayorOfKingston questions legal about what an applicant who is on the committee can do. #ygkc ^TV
• 8:44 PM: @MayorOfKingston doesn’t like the differences. Moves a deferral, seconded by @DorothyAHector. #ygkc ^TV
• 8:46 PM: Motion to defer carries, 12-0. Likely back on July 16. And the capital budget status report clears with the same vote. #ygkc ^TV
• 8:47 PM: We move into the CARF funding request. Staff confirms to @councillorberg that the city has no obligation to maintain this. #ygkc ^TV
• 8:48 PM: They add that there are plans to consider funding museums in the future going forward. #ygkc ^TV
• 8:49 PM: @MayorOfKingston makes a comment that CARF is in competition with others. Wonders about competitors concerns. #ygkc ^TV
• 8:51 PM: City Solicitor says that legally, the city wouldn’t be put into an tough spot if this is approved. Would be getting a service. #ygkc ^TV
• 8:52 PM: @MayorOfKingston, stressing concern about opening floodgates, plans on supporting the motion. #ygkc ^TV
• 8:55 PM: Staff is supporting the request because it will bring them back valuable information about their collection. #ygkc ^TV
• 8:58 PM: Coun. Hutchison is reading a letter from a Newmarket resident, praising Kingston as a “living museum”. #ygkc ^TV
• 9:02 PM: @JimNeill3 speaks in favour of the request, wants to see a local group stay afloat to preserve local items. #ygkc ^TV
• 9:04 PM: @JimNeill3 asks about museum funding. Commissioner clarifies that there’s a difference btween museums and arch. srvc funds. #ygkc ^TV
• 9:07 PM: Coun. Glover speaking in favour of the motion. #ygkc ^TV
• 9:09 PM: @BrianReitzel asking what taxpayers get. Staff confirms that a contract for the services would be drawn before money is paid. #ygkc ^TV
• 9:10 PM: Request includes a report back to council when the work is done, but no date for that report is provided. #ygkc ^TV
• 9:11 PM: @BrianReitzel says he’s not speaking against the amount, but about the principal of the repeated asks like this one. #ygkc ^TV
• 9:12 PM: He will be supporting this item, though. #ygkc ^TV
• 9:12 PM: Carries, 11-1. @councillorberg the only vote against. #ygkc ^TV
• 9:14 PM: Planning committee report 81 up next. Dealing with each item individually, with the first one carrying 12-0. #ygkc ^TV
• 9:15 PM: Pecuniary interest declared from @MayorOfKingston for 2 and 3, and Dep Mayor Paterson bundles them together for vote. #ygkc ^TV
• 9:15 PM: They carry 10-1, with Coun. Glover opposed. #ygkc ^TV
• 9:16 PM: Report 82 from ARCP comes in, covering commemorative benches and a new Breakwater Park plan, carries 12-0. #ygkc ^TV
• 9:17 PM: EITP report 83 about on-street parking carries, too, 12-0. #ygkc ^TV
• 9:18 PM: Report 84 from the Nominations Committee is has new members to five committees through Nov 30 2014. Carries 12-0. #ygkc ^TV
• 9:21 PM: Coun. Glover and @JimNeill3 appointed to the new Review Committee by a 12-0 vote. #ygkc ^TV
• 9:22 PM: We move into new motions. First is a motion that would rule the Memorial Centre ground out as a site for a new school. #ygkc ^TV
• 9:24 PM: Coun. George says that if we lose greenspace, particularly in the urban core, we can never get it back. #ygkc ^TV
• 9:26 PM: @councillorberg says that Kingston must create new partnerships to help solve problems of the and its partners. #ygkc ^TV
• 9:27 PM: Adds that a school at the Memorial Centre site would bring and keep families downtown and build community in Williamsville. #ygkc ^TV
• 9:28 PM: @JimNeill3 says he won’t speak to schools; wants to focus on the value of the memorial centre as-is. #ygkc ^TV
• 9:30 PM: @JimNeill3 says the schools boards have property that they can build schools on. Doesn’t think they need Kingston parkland. #ygkc ^TV
• 9:31 PM: @JimNeill3 makes a reference to a petition when the LVEC started. 7000+ signatures to keep the Memorial Centre as-is. #ygkc ^TV
• 9:33 PM: Coun. Paterson says that the details here matter. Wouldn’t support losing green space, M-centre or Aqua park. #ygkc ^TV
• 9:34 PM: Suggests that a school could go where the barns are; perhaps citizens could use gym, library etc after-hours. #ygkc ^TV
• 9:34 PM: Adds that the city can create a “Yes, but…” proposal, stipulating a bunch of conditions to the request. #ygkc ^TV
• 9:36 PM: Coun. Hutchison says projections that show a school on the site show it would take up a large amount of space. #ygkc ^TV
• 9:38 PM: Coun. Hutchison with @DorothyAHector proposing amendment. Wants to add “Cook’s Arena” to the motion. #ygkc ^TV
• 9:39 PM: If amendment and motion now pass, BOTH sites would be ruled out as a potential site for a new school. #ygkc ^TV
• 9:41 PM: Coun. Paterson asks staff about the potential of schools on the Cook’s site. Staff says they haven’t seen proposals. #ygkc ^TV
• 9:42 PM: Coun. Paterson re-states some from his last statement. Suggesting that this could revitalize a brownfield. #ygkc ^T
• 9:43 PM: @JimNeill3 reminds council that the whole area is not a brownfield. Says saying this is a great disservice. #ygkc ^TV
• 9:44 PM: @MayorOfKingston says he won’t weigh in much, but expresses concern over comments that this vote will change school outcome. #ygkc ^TV
• 9:44 PM: Adds that the boards will make decisions that are best for them. Council’s choices tonight won’t guarantee any changes from them. #ygkc ^TV
• 9:47 PM: Amendment to add “Cook’s Arena” carries 8-4. @councillorberg, @MayorOfKingston, Coun. Paterson and Coun. Scott. #ygkc ^TV
• 9:48 PM: Coun. Osanic talks about the Fall Fair – conversation to move it will need to resume if a school is opened there. #ygkc ^TV
• 9:49 PM: @MayorOfKingston says he will support the motion as amended. Says Fall Fair doesn’t use the south-west corner. #ygkc ^TV
• 9:49 PM: Adds that the city could work with the school board to help find other land. Maybe not city-owned. #ygkc ^TV
• 9:53 PM: Coun. George says that most schools aren’t in walking dist these days. Location of a school doesn’t matter as much as it once did. #ygkc ^TV
• 9:55 PM: Coun. George says that the school boards have their problems… But it’s not council’s job to sort them out. #ygkc ^TV
• 9:57 PM: Vote to rule out M Centre and Cooks carries 9-3. @councillorberg, Coun. Paterson, Coun. Scott opposed. #ygkc ^TV
• 9:58 PM: Second new motion is ALMOST ruled out of order. @DorothyAHector asks about a possible amendment. #ygkc ^TV
• 9:59 PM: @DorothyAHector proposed amendment to “lands” in place of specific lands. @MayorOfKingston still rules it out. #ygkc ^TV
• 10:00 PM: Minutes, notices of motion and other business all clear. We’re into by-laws. #ygkc ^TV
• 10:03 PM: Adjourned with Dep. Mayor Paterson at chair. 10:03pm. Thanks for following along. Watch for the summary tomorrow. #ygkc ^TV

Thanks to reneilet for today’s original photo.