Hall Monitor: Goes To School

March 7, 2012July 26, 2017 Josie Vallier

Our elected officials took to the halls of city hall again last night for meeting 08-2012 of Kingston City Council. You can also find the agenda and addeds from last night on the city’s website.

In short, our council did a lot of spending, and a lot of deferring and referring. We kicked the night off with a quick delegation from Dr. Ian Gemmill talking about why the city should move to adapt it’s anti-smoking by-law. We moved into a report from the K-ROCK Centre (Including the downturns in attendance and profits) and funding of $45,000.00 in seed money for affordable housing. Once those got out of the way, we cleared the way for the biggest item of the night: The city’s involvement in the Limstone District School Board’s Program and Accommodation Review Committee review.

Debate was fairly well rounded, with arguments coming from the side that believe the city’s role is in defining our neighbourhoods (including where schools should be) and those who feel that the city needs to step back from school issues (as that’s what the elected trustees are for). My records are hazy, but I believe we heard a full 5 minutes (or close to) from everyone around the horseshoe (except Councillor Downes who declared a conflict due to his employer being the school board). We also heard from the gallery, twice, much to the chagrin of the Mayor who gave two noise warnings to those applauding various councillor comments. In the end, council directed city staff to prepare them an information report with an 8-5 vote. (For: George, Gerretsen, Glover, Hutchison, Neill, Osanic and Schell; Against: Berg, Hector, Paterson, Reitzel and Scott.)

We then moved into a nice debate about a new market at the Memorial Centre (Passed for a RFP; Opposed to clause 1: Berg and Scott, opposed to clause 2: Berg, Gerretsen and Scott) – that’s likely to open this spring. Coucnil then green-lit work towards an airport expansion (Will come back later at budget time; and was in the strategic plan), modified the all-important By-Law #1 to allow for a quick rationalization of a challenge to the chair, referred the anti-smoking item to the Administrative Policies Committee and also asked the APC to begin work on a filming policy for municipal sites for commercials, while placing a moratorium on filming until the policy is established.

All in all, it was a short agenda, but there was a lot on the plate. Our complete live-tweeting recap is below. The next regular meeting of Kingston City Council is Tuesday, March 20th, 2012 at 7:30pm at City Hall.

7:18 PM: Settling in at City Hall. Busy night. #ygkc ^TV
7:36 PM: Bit of a late start. But a nearly full house again. #ygkc ^TV
7:40 PM: DING! And so we begin. #ygkc ^TV
7:41 PM: We start with a pecuniary from Cnclr Downes. #ygkc ^TV
7:41 PM: And Cnclr Hutchinson. #ygkc ^TV
7:43 PM: Smoking delegation up first. #ygkc ^TV
7:45 PM: That is a long list of places smoking could be banned at. #ygkc ^TV
7:46 PM: Delegation: This change would be about changing social norms. #ygkc ^TV
7:48 PM: Quick snap of Dr Gemmill. http://t.co/wysfG4J5 #ygkc ^TV
7:49 PM: Large number of communities that have already created by-laws that exceed the province, too. #ygkc ^TV
7:51 PM: Mayor comments that he ran a little long but didn’t know how to cut him off. #ygkc ^TV
7:52 PM: Mayor joked, too, that cutting him off may affect his future healthcare. #ygkc ^TV
7:53 PM: Large number of emotional motions. Both on agenda and addeds. #ygkc ^TV
7:57 PM: After a long read, they pass. Into report 35 we go. #ygkc ^TV
7:58 PM: Passes. Report 36 up next. #ygkc ^TV
7:58 PM: We start with questions from Cnclr Glover on the K-Rock report. #ygkc ^TV
8:04 PM: Cnclr Neill reminding everyone that the Fronts don’t need all of the blame. #ygkc ^TV
8:05 PM: Fronts achieved 75% of targets. Other events hit about 51. The venue has experienced it’s lowest performing year ever in ’11. #ygkc ^TV
8:07 PM: Cnclr Neill asking is the drop was industry-wide. KRC comments that we were one of the highest revenue facilities in the world. #ygkc ^TV
8:08 PM: KRC was again nominated for awards in ’11. And yes, arena tour volume was down industry-wide. #ygkc ^TV
8:10 PM: Comment from KRC: All losses were billed to the building, not SMC. Kingston wouldn’t have been billed for them. #ygkc ^TV
8:11 PM: Canadian Music Business Industry award nomination for KRC: Venue of the year. #ygkc ^TV
8:11 PM: Discussion moves to suites and suite renewal courtesy of Cnclr Osanic. #ygkc ^TV
8:13 PM: The KRC Advisory Group doesn’t make recommendations, just advises. – KRC Staff. #ygkc ^TV
8:14 PM: Appx 318k dollars paid off of the KRC debt in ’11. Unaudited. Per staff. #ygkc ^TV
8:15 PM: Discussion now about the possible partnering with KRC and KEDCO. #ygkc ^TV
8:16 PM: Mayor asking for more information about the Advisory Group. #ygkc ^TV
8:17 PM: KRC item passes. As does the seed funding for affordable housing. Onto Report 37. #ygkc ^TV
8:19 PM: 37 passes. Onto 38. Mayor not reading item 1. It’s the school item. #ygkc ^TV
8:20 PM: Cnclr Schell: We have little power here as a city. People need to talk to the school board. #ygkc ^TV
8:21 PM: Mayor reminds Cnclr Schell that council meetings are not the time to talk to the public. #ygkc ^TV
8:22 PM: Comments coming from Cnclr Scott now. He sits on PARC. Discussing how the meetings proceed. #ygkc ^TV
8:23 PM: Cnclr Scott talking about what his role with PARC is. #ygkc ^TV
8:24 PM: All city documents point that the city wants schools in communities, not buses. #ygkc ^TV
8:24 PM: City and library are already in agreements, in negotiations or are open to agreements with the school board and schools. #ygkc ^TV
8:25 PM: Cnclr Scott: I’m not sure how we could be more involved without overstepping. Not supporting motion. #ygkc ^TV
8:29 PM: Cnclr Berg: not supporting. Motion will divide communities and pit them against each other. #ygkc ^TV
8:30 PM: Mayor asking now why it is that the city’s representative on PARC had no idea that this item went to ARC. #ygkc ^TV
8:31 PM: Mayor commenting that council should have consulted the person they elected to PARC. #ygkc ^TV
8:32 PM: Mayor received 81 emails. Generic response was that it’s not the city’s decision to make. #ygkc ^TV
8:32 PM: Mayor won’t be supporting any motion that supports one school over another. #ygkc ^TV
8:33 PM: Cnclr George planning on supporting the motion. Staff is already doing some work anyway. #ygkc ^TV
8:34 PM: CAO: Staff’s work doesn’t already meet the expected report requirements. #ygkc ^TV
8:35 PM: Cnclr George says that approving tonight doesn’t side the city with or against any schools. Just brings back info. #ygkc ^TV
8:37 PM: Cnclr Hector reached out to councillors in other communities. Was told that thus is a dangerous road to go down. #ygkc ^TV
8:39 PM: Cnclr Hector comments that staff would not be able to provide much. Not supporting, but will be getting involved. #ygkc ^TV
8:40 PM: Cnclr Hutchinson comments that this is not the first time PARC has been on the agenda. Unsure how someone couldn’t know about it. #ygkc ^TV
8:41 PM: . @BruceCadieux Program and Accommodation Review Committee. #ygkc
8:42 PM: Cnclr Hutchinson adding comment that this is not about one school vs another. It’s about issues from a city perspective. #ygkc ^TV
8:44 PM: Cnclr Hutchinson: We should not be suggesting one school. But schools are public bodies, and that reflects on the city. #ygkc ^TV
8:45 PM: Cnclr Hutchinson: Meetings are public. The city can present a general situation without pointing out one school or community. #ygkc ^TV
8:45 PM: Cnclr Hutchinson will be supporting the motion. We can have input. #ygkc ^TV
8:46 PM: Applause after Cnclr Hutchinson. Mayor reminds the gallery that applause isn’t accepted in chambers (By-law 1) #ygkc ^TV
8:47 PM: Cnclr Patterson worried that anything said or done would be loaded and put the city in a no-win situation. #ygkc ^TV
8:50 PM: Cnclr Neill: “We need to represent our constituents at those meetings.” #ygkc ^TV
8:51 PM: Cnclr Neill is concerned about added buses. Culture plan discuses culture hubs. Schools are those hubs. #ygkc ^TV
8:52 PM: Cnclr Neill: We shouldn’t be picking schools, but have a role to play by asking for information. #ygkc ^TV
8:53 PM: Second round of applause and a second warning from the mayor. #ygkc ^TV
8:53 PM: Cnclr Osanic: We should provide a collective input instead of no input. #ygkc ^TV
8:55 PM: Cnclr Reitzel says he was hesitant to wade into this issue. Particularly with a new school in his area. #ygkc ^TV
8:56 PM: Cnclr Reitzel: The school trustees are elected for this very reason. #ygkc ^TV
8:57 PM: Aside: Surprised a recorded vote hasn’t been asked for already. #ygkc
8:58 PM: Cnclr Reitzel comments that the city should be focusing on how to get people near the schools. #ygkc ^TV
8:59 PM: Cnclr Glover: This motion came from near campus advisory committee. Doesn’t support individual schools. #ygkc ^TV
9:01 PM: Cnclr Glover: Closing schools will have a very real impact on our community. #ygkc ^TV
9:02 PM: Cnclr Glover was at the first public meeting. Couldn’t be at others as the fall on council nights. #ygkc ^TV
9:04 PM: Cnclr Glover: it’s important that the city be seen as responding to this issue. #ygkc ^TV
9:06 PM: Cnclr Glover: The only way the city can have a position is if it goes through council. #ygkc ^TV
9:07 PM: Mayor comments that Cnclr Glover went over time limit. Cnclr Glover asks for the recorded vote.
9:08 PM: PARC item passes. I’ll have a count in a moment #ygkc ^TV
9:10 PM: PARC item passed 7-5. Against: Berg, Hector, Patterson, Reitzel, Scott. Downes had conflict. #ygkc ^TV
9:11 PM: We’re onto the outdoor market pilot item. #ygkc ^TV
9:13 PM: Questions coming from Cnclr Hector about expected usage or potential success. No business plan. No guess at impact on mkt square #ygkc ^TV
9:16 PM: Cnclr Scott not supporting the motion. Says that it and mkt square are too close and serve the same audience.
9:17 PM: Cnclr Berg: I said that if a business plan that would support it was presented, I would support it. That plan never came. #ygkc ^TV
9:18 PM: Cnclr Neill: This item has support from the district. It’s a pilot specifically to test concerns. #ygkc ^TV
9:19 PM: Cnclr Neill reminding that this has been passed unanimously by ARC, and nearly unanimously at Memorial Centre committee, too. #ygkc ^TV
9:20 PM: Cnclr Neill: The group that wants this has done everything we asked, when we asked. #ygkc ^TV
9:22 PM: Cnclr Neill: I thought we had finally hit the consensus we all strive for. #ygkc ^TV
9:23 PM: Mayor pauses the meeting. The clerk is fetching the original motion as passed. #ygkc ^TV
9:23 PM: Cnclr Downes says that more markets compliment each other. #ygkc ^TV
9:25 PM: Cnclr Downes talking about taking his kids to multiple markets as evidence that more markets make sense. #ygkc ^TV
9:26 PM: Cnclr Downes: “Having a market on the memorial centre property is just brilliant”. Wants to take the risk. #ygkc ^TV
9:28 PM: Mayor reading the previous motion passed. Council previously only asked for information. Did not support creation. #ygkc ^TV
9:28 PM: Cnclr Osanic supporting the idea because it will give us a market in the downtown on BOTH weekend days. #ygkc ^TV
9:31 PM: Cnclr Glover: Lots of people saying not to go ahead because there’s no evidence that it will be viable… #ygkc ^TV
9:31 PM: Glover continues: Should support it because there’s no evidence that it won’t be. #ygkc ^TV
9:32 PM: Cnclr Osanic: The strongest projects are groundswells from the community. This is one of those. #ygkc ^TV
9:33 PM: Osanic comments, too, the pilot is a lease at market rate. Could always scrap the lease if needed. #ygkc ^TV
9:34 PM: Cnclr Hutchinson says he’s gotten no objections from the vendors at the current market. Mkt Square is in his district. #ygkc ^TV
9:36 PM: My mistake. Yes, my last two tweets attributing Osanic were Schell. #ygkc ^TV RT @Chrystal_Wilson: @kingstonist that was Cnclr Schell.
9:38 PM: Jokes from the mayor about Cnclr Reitzel speaking. Lots already going on in east, including a market. #ygkc ^TV
9:39 PM: The mayor separating clauses so that council can be involved in the RFP. #ygkc ^TV
9:40 PM: Recorded vote request from Cnclr Hutchinson #ygkc ^TV
9:57 PM: Cnclr Hutchinson jokes a congratulations that Cnclr Neill and the Mayor were able to work together. #ygkc ^TV
9:58 PM: Procedural item passes. A few more jokes back and forth. Downes: “Are we getting along now? ” #ygkc ^TV
9:59 PM: Smoke free bylaw up now. #ygkc ^TV
10:01 PM: Looks like about 20 minutes of my tweets didn’t post. Not sure what’s going on. #ygkc ^TV
10:04 PM: Cnclr Hector detailing the reasoning behind the motion. It’s been well covered by the media. I won’t tap it out. #ygkc ^TV
10:05 PM: Smoking item carries unanimously. To ARC it goes. #ygkc ^TV
10:05 PM: I’ll recap my missing tweets in a moment. #ygkc ^TV
10:07 PM: In my “absence”, the home ownership item passed, so did an airport expansion, the brownfield item and report 40. #ygkc ^TV
10:08 PM: I’ll add the recorded vote counts soon. #ygkc ^TV
10:09 PM: Cnclr Neill talking about the commercial filming item. CKWS contacted the Mayor’s office before filming. #ygkc ^TV
10:10 PM: Mayor comments that the assistant who spoke with CKWS didn’t likely know it was for a commercial. #ygkc ^TV
10:11 PM: The airport expansion, to the tune of likely 9 million dollars or so, was part of the 4 year strategic plan. #ygkc ^TV
10:12 PM: Cnclr Scott: Lots of other memorial halls do various items. Won’t support the item for the room. Will support creation of policy. #ygkc ^TV
10:15 PM: Mayor hoping that policy could be created. Cnclr Patterson asking to defer to APC. #ygkc ^TV
10:16 PM: A bit of debate over wording. #ygkc ^TV
10:19 PM: Amendment from Downes that it be expanded to full image. #ygkc ^TV
10:20 PM: An amendment from Cnclr Schell that the proposed moratorium until a policy is set exclude non profits. Debate against from Glover #ygkc ^TV
10:24 PM: Amendment for non profits pass. And so does deferral to APC. #ygkc ^TV
10:25 PM: Other Biz: Mayor says NDP Ontario leader is coming to town and wants to meet with council. #ygkc ^TV
10:28 PM: Council waives bylaw 1 to allow for a special meeting of council to meet with Ontario NDP leader. #ygkc ^TV
10:29 PM: While bylaws. Market recorded votes:
10:29 PM: Clause 1 passed 11-2, opposed by Berg and Scott. #ygkc ^TV
10:30 PM: Clause 2 passed 10-3, opposed by Berg Scott and the Mayor. #ygkc ^TV
10:30 PM: Adjourned. 10:29 pm. #ygkc ^TV

Thanks to reneilet for today’s original photo.

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