Hall Monitor: Goes Back To School

January 9, 2013July 26, 2017 Josie Vallier

Last night, city council took to the off-site, not-quite-a-horseshoe, for another one of our council meeting road trips. This time, we met in the large Davies Hall at the local St. Lawrence College campus. As always, the agenda and addeds are available on the city website.

For what seemed like a short agenda, especially once the briefing from a representative of Enbridge was removed, we actually stuck it out quite a while, not getting out until shortly after 10pm. The majority of the agenda was simple approvals and requests of staff, asking for research into a new responsible pet ownership problem, to prepare a report on the next steps for the third crossing before the next strategic planning session, to do some research on the creation of a (likely part time or retainer-based) integrity commissioner and lastly to prepare a report on the viability and costs of a Heritage Centre. Nothing major approved, really. Oh, except the approval of a three-year term for an outdoor farmer’s market at the Memorial Centre.

I’ve got a a new streaming setup, which failed horribly last night courtesy of a block in streaming software on the open Wi-Fi and me leaving my backup connection at home, but our full tweet stream from last night is below.

As an aside, the Mayor has announced a series of Community Meetings, scheduled for January 14th, 21st, 31st and February 20th. Be sure to check them out at the city’s website if you’re interested in attending. Additionally, a series of public meetings on the potential electoral boundary changes are scheduled throughout the month. That full schedule is available online, too. Council next meets January 22nd at RMC.

7:28 PM: Up and running at @whatsinsideslc for #ygkc. Should start soon. Old streamer, and without my vote tracker. #ygkc ^TV
7:33 PM: Raising from the closed session; JE Horton item has been deferred. #ygkc ^TV
7:36 PM: Addeds have been confirmed, including the deferral of the Enbridge briefing. #ygkc ^TV
7:37 PM: A quick disclosure from Coun Downes from closed session, and we’re into presentations. #ygkc ^TV
7:39 PM: Some words now from SLC President @gvollebregt. #ygkc ^TV
7:43 PM: Presentations for the inductees to the Kingston Sports Hall of Fame, now. #ygkc ^TV
7:52 PM: Very likely that I’ll shut the stream down. Sorry, gang. Fighting tech issues. :( #ygkc ^TV
7:56 PM: Quick delegation in support of an outdoor market at the Memorial Centre. #ygkc ^TV
7:57 PM: Onwards to a briefing from Major-General John Collin, on 1st Cdn Division HQ activities. #ygkc ^TV
8:03 PM: 1st Cdn Division does everything from military training, to peace support to major combat. #ygkc ^TV
8:10 PM: 1st Cdn Division is designed to be “first in” – not a long-term plan. #ygkc ^TV
8:10 PM: Question of the M-G from @JimNeill3 about current role in training in Afg. 1st Cdn not involved now. #ygkc ^TV
8:11 PM: Question from @BrianReitzel about potential HQ move. M-G says that HQ will stay here, but staff from all over. #ygkc ^TV
8:13 PM: No petitions to present; so we move to the emotionals; A birth, a birthday … and a wedding (of @MayorOfKingston) among others. #ygkc ^TV
8:14 PM: Into report 22 of the CAO. A separation of (a) and (d) from @JimNeill3. #ygkc ^TV
8:14 PM: The city also extends condolences to the families of firefighters from the shooting in NY on Christmas Eve. #ygkc ^TV
8:15 PM: The bulk passes. @JimNeill3 asks the CAO about the contract award to Waste Management, Staff confirms this is a cont. contract. #ygkc ^TV
8:16 PM: Staff says that this was an RFP in the past. @JimNeill3 is worried about an extension without RFP pattern. #ygkc ^TV
8:17 PM: CAO says that this extension gives staff time (to 2015) to prepare for a potential future RFP. #ygkc ^TV
8:18 PM: Specifically, @JimNeill3 is asking about having them be a direct employee of the city. #ygkc ^TV
8:18 PM: That item passes; we move into another contract (security guards); with more questions on it from @JimNeill3.
8:19 PM: Into report 23. Item 1 is the Enbridge item. @MayorOfKingston asks if the item was deferred. It wasn’t. #ygkc ^TV
8:19 PM: Staff says that the specialized skillset for some positions makes it difficult to bring in-house. Item passes. #ygkc ^TV
8:20 PM: Coun. Scott asks if KEAF and Rural Advisory have been given opportunity to comment. Staff says comment from those will follow. #ygkc ^TV
8:21 PM: Coun. Downes asking about the potential liability insurance coverage. Legal says council can request that in confidence. Passes. #ygkc ^TV
8:22 PM: Rideau Heights Renewal item passes, too. We move to the responsible pet ownership program. #ygkc ^TV
8:23 PM: Staff confirms that readers are being researched, including portable ones. #ygkc ^TV
8:23 PM: Question from Coun. Osanic about potential microchip readers for animal control officers. #ygkc ^TV
8:25 PM: Coun. Osanic asks about automatic renewals (Being explored) and commends the “early bird” rates. #ygkc ^TV
8:28 PM: Coun. Osanic moves to defer to Arts, Rec an Policy mtg on Jan 24; would have pet store by-law, too. #ygkc ^TV
8:29 PM: Deferral seconded by Coun. Glover; Passes, with a recorded opposed from @DorothyAHector. #ygkc ^TV
8:30 PM: We move to Report 24, and the chair turns to Dep Mayor @BrianReitzel. No breakouts, so 24 passes in whole. #ygkc ^TV
8:31 PM: Report 25 next, which is the outdoor memorial centre market. #ygkc ^TV
8:32 PM: A quick tango around meeting flow, and we get to praise from @JimNeill3 on the item, both to staff and participants. #ygkc ^TV
8:33 PM: Coun. Schell praises the market, too, for the additional accessibility that the M. Centre grounds provide. #ygkc ^TV
8:34 PM: This report quickly passes. #ygkc ^TV
8:34 PM: That item passes, and we move onto Report 26 from EITP. Chair returns to @MayorOfKingston. #ygkc ^TV
8:35 PM: Quick comment from @MayorOfKingston that his agenda may be missing pages (It’s a short one). #mayorjokes #ygkc ^TV
8:36 PM: Question from Coun. Glover about meeting scheduling. Suggests there’s a way to make them easier. #ygkc ^TV
8:37 PM: Clerk comments that this late, it would be “very challenging” to switch the dates. #ygkc ^TV
8:38 PM: No misc business items. We’re onto a new motion that would ask staff to research impact of an integrity commissioner. #ygkc ^TV
8:39 PM: Comments from @councillorberg first. #ygkc ^TV
8:40 PM: Toronto’s commissioner is a part-time role. Both London and Ottawa have entertained the idea, as well. #ygkc ^TV
8:40 PM: New Comm. would be responsible for complaints and working with Councillors to maintain ethics. #ygkc ^TV
8:41 PM: Coun. Osanic weighs in; supports the motion to receive the information. #ygkc ^TV
8:42 PM: @JimNeill3 wants the info as well, adds that Brighton has one, too. Would support if part-time. #ygkc ^TV
8:43 PM: Chair turns over to @BrianReitzel for comments from @MayorOfKingston in support of the motion. #ygkc ^TV
8:44 PM: @MayorOfKingston says that the position could be done on a retainer. #ygkc ^TV
8:45 PM: @MayorOfKingston says that it was the integrity commissioner in Toronto that first alerted to the conflict there. #ygkc ^TV
8:46 PM: @DorothyAHector says that council doesn’t currently have arms length advice to interpret the current code of conduct. #ygkc ^TV
8:48 PM: Item was passing, with a recorded opposed from Coun. Downes… then a recorded vote request from @MayorOfKingston. #ygkc ^TV
8:49 PM: The vote passes, 12-1; All in favour except Coun. Downes. #ygkc ^TV
8:50 PM: We move to new motion 2, which is asking for staff to bring a briefing back before strategic planning mtg on the 3rd crossing. #ygkc ^TV
8:52 PM: @BrianReitzel is commenting on the need for the bridge; new communities being built in the east, and the new school. #ygkc ^TV
8:53 PM: Coun. Downes is in favour of the third crossing, but not motion. Feels this issue would be given special treatment w/ briefing. #ygkc ^TV
8:54 PM: Coun. George disagrees, saying that the bridge was already identified as a priority of this council. #ygkc ^TV
8:56 PM: Coun. George adds comments on specifics of the briefing; doesn’t want a history lesson on the bridge process thus far. #ygkc ^TV
8:57 PM: @MayorOfKingston is in favor of the item, as he’s been struggling to figure out the next step. #ygkc ^TV
8:58 PM: @MayorOfKingston wants to know the specifics of what it will take (Cost, land, etc) to be shovel-ready. #ygkc ^TV
9:00 PM: @DorothyAHector doesn’t disagree with previous speakers, adds that more information is important for this. #ygkc ^TV
9:00 PM: Comments from @DorothyAHector: This will be the single most expensive project this city has ever embarked on. #ygkc ^TV
9:02 PM: Coun. Glover says he can understand the need for information. Is also concerned about the contents and impact of the briefing. #ygkc ^TV
9:04 PM: Coun. Glover reminds council that the strategic priorities have already changed. Need to weight all projects against eachother. #ygkc ^TV
9:06 PM: CAO adds that staff is already tasked to come back with an action plan for the crossing. #ygkc ^TV
9:06 PM: Coun. Glover seeks confirmation from staff that it will just be an itemization, and in perspective w/ projects. #ygkc ^TV
9:07 PM: Coun. Schell comments that she’s glad to see that it would be taken in context with other projects (Like the John Ct… http://t.co/nZmPPaZv
9:08 PM: @JimNeill3 raises concerns about cost and impact of a third bridge. Asks staff more about the briefing scope. #ygkc ^TV
9:09 PM: CAO says he is confident that his staff can meet the requirements of this motion in time for the meeting. #ygkc ^TV
9:13 PM: I’ve moved to the phone. Ran out of juice. #ygkc ^TV
9:13 PM: Revorded vote has been requested by C. Reitzel. C Hutchison says that he feels that the report will just bring back the same info. #ygkc ^TV
9:14 PM: Hutchinson says that he is a larger fan of near-mid term length projects. Will vote against. #ygkc ^TV
9:15 PM: Patterson reminds council that the discussion will happen either way. This is just additional information. #ygkc ^TV
9:16 PM: C. Reitzel says that there was no intention of jumping the line, just getting well informed. Vote time. #ygkc ^TV
9:18 PM: Motion carries. We go to the last item, a heritage resource centre plan. #ygkc ^TV
9:19 PM: @mayorofkingston clarifies that the item is for consideration, not implementation immediately. #ygkc ^TV
9:20 PM: The initial idea for this came from a citizen. #ygkc ^TV
9:21 PM: @mayorofkingston says that the idea is to centralize heritage items. #ygkc ^TV
9:22 PM: This new centre would also be used for heritage staff. #ygkc ^TV
9:26 PM: Comments from @dorothyahector about procedural problems. Suggests a deferral to staff to avoid conflict. #ygkc ^TV
9:28 PM: Some back and forth on amendments to make sure that it fits policy and practice rules. #ygkc ^TV
9:29 PM: Amendments remove implementation and add budgetary considerations. #ygkc ^TV
9:31 PM: Coun. Downes speaks up, concerned about all of the motions on the agenda that all add costs outside of the strategic plan. #ygkc ^TV
9:33 PM: Coun Downes clarifies that he likes the projects, but is concerned about costs in a 2.5% budget. #ygkc ^TV
9:35 PM: Coun. Hutchinson says he agrees with some of Downes’ points. Wants clarification from staff that it will be treated in context. #ygkc ^TV
9:38 PM: Staff comments that a report has already suggested a heritage resource centre. #ygkc ^TV
9:40 PM: Coun. Schell asks about the process and potential short time line. #ygkc ^TV
9:41 PM: Comm. Beach says that the centre is a service level debate. #ygkc ^TV
9:47 PM: Coun. Glover comments on the current use of the suggested location, Portsmouth Town Hall, not being large enough. #ygkc ^TV
9:48 PM: Says that this would create a silo for heritage; counterproductive when they have spent such time tearing them down. #ygkc ^TV
9:49 PM: @JimNeill3 says that supporting a resource centre is a good idea. #ygkc ^TV
9:51 PM: @JimNeill3 adds concerns that this may undo some of the one-stop-shopping for planning that the Mayor’s task force suggested. #ygkc ^TV
9:54 PM: CAO comments that he doesn’t like silos. Within a dept or between them. Adds comments that his staff workload is cur. heavy. #ygkc ^TV
9:58 PM: @mayorofkingston comments that the motions co-author was Comm. Beach. Adds that the town hall is already approved for repairs. #ygkc ^TV
9:59 PM: @mayorofkingston adds that the current tenants are already leaving by year-end. #ygkc ^TV
10:00 PM: Recorded vote on this requested by @mayorofkingston. Passes 12-1, only Coun. Downes opposed. #ygkc ^TV
10:01 PM: No notices of motion. Minutes approved. @mayorofkingston reminds everyone about the upcoming town hall meetings. #ygkc ^TV
10:03 PM: Thanks for tuning in and following along. Sorry for the tech snafus. We’ll have a recap up tomorrow. #ygkc ^TV
10:03 PM: Onwards to bylaws. All clear. Adjourned. 1003pm. #ygkc ^TV
10:38 PM: Saying goodnight and bidding a find farewell to vacation. Hello real world tomorrow morning.

Thanks to reneilet for today’s original photo.

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