December 14, 2015
General Committee
The Corporation of the City of St. Catharines
GENERAL COMMITTEE MINUTES
Monday, December 14, 2015
Present: | Mayor Walter Sendzik Councillors Sandie Bellows, Mike Britton, Mark Elliott, N. Carlos Garcia, Matt Harris, David A. Haywood, Joseph Kushner, Bill Phillips, Mathew Siscoe, Sal Sorrento (left at 10:58 p.m.), Jennifer Stevens (left at 11:07 p.m.), and Bruce Williamson (left at 11:38 p.m.) |
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Officials Present: | Dan Carnegie, Chief Administrative Officer Shelley Chemnitz, Commissioner of Corporate Services Bryan Shynal, Commissioner of Operations Heather Salter, Deputy City Solicitor/Deputy City Clerk Jim Riddell, Director of Planning and Building Services Kristine Douglas, Director of Financial Management Services Jeanette Pillitteri, Director of Corporate Support Services Dan Dillon, Director of Transportation and Environmental Services David Oakes, Director of Recreation and Community Services David Wood, Director of Fire and Emergency Management Services Steve Solski, Executive Director, FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre Bonnie Nistico-Dunk, City Clerk Deanna Haine, Council and Committee Coordinator |
Mayor Sendzik was in the chair and called the meeting to order in Council Chambers at 9:32 p.m. |
1. | Call for Reports to be Brought Forward from Consent |
Item 4.1 - Sidewalk Snow Removal Program for Seniors and Persons with Disabilities (Councillor Britton)
Item 4.2 - Special Event / Road Closure Request: 2016 IIHF U18 Women's World Hockey Championship, January 8-10, 2016 (Councillor Siscoe)
Item 4.6 - Updated and Graffiti By-law (Councillor Stevens)
Item 4.7 - Recommendation of St. Catharines Heritage Permit Advisory Committee Regarding the Proposed Demolition of Existing Dwelling at 45-47 Bayview Avenue (Mayor Sendzik)
Item 4.8 - Strategic Plan Implementation - 2016 and Future Priorities
(Councillor Garcia)
Item 4.9 - Lakeside Park Enhancement Report (Councillor Williamson)
2. | Motion to Move Reports on Consent |
That Council approve the Consent Agenda, save and except those items brought forward for discussion. FORTHWITH
Yeas:Councillors Harris, Haywood, Kushner, Phillips, Siscoe, Sorrento, Stevens, Williamson, Bellows, Britton, Elliott, Garcia, and Mayor Sendzik
Nays:
Carried
3. | Discussion Reports |
Follow this link to view General Committee Agenda reports of December 14, 2015
3.1. | Financial Management Services, Property Management Response to Council Questions regarding Proposal to Declare Excess Property as Surplus, former Merritton Town Hall at 343-353 Merritt Street and Old Fire Station #4 at 16 Walnut Street, Realty File No: 13-16 (Deferred by General Committee, November 16, 2015, to allow for public input as to the disposition of the building)
The staff recommendation was deferred until after the public meeting took place and reads as follows: That Council declare the property as surplus at 343-353 Merritt Street and 16 Walnut Street, except the parkette land surrounding the Merritton Cenotaph, as shown on attached Appendix 1, and dispose of it according to policy, Realty File 13-16. FORTHWITH |
(Note: Item 3.1 and Item 3.2 were considered together)
Moved By: Councillor Stevens
That Council refer the report back to staff in light of this evening's presentation from the Royal Canadian Legion and the public meeting interest; and
That staff be directed to include information on how the Folk Arts rents the City's facility, as a comparator; and
That the report come back to Council on January 25, 2016.
Lost
That Council declare the property as surplus at 343-353 Merritt Street and 16 Walnut Street, except the parkette land surrounding the Merritton Cenotaph as shown on attached Appendix 1, and dispose of it according to policy, Realty File 13-16; and
That, as a condition of sale, the heritage aspect of the building be maintained. FORTHWITH
Councillor Phillips asked the Mayor to call the question.
Yeas:Councillors Williamson, Bellows, Britton, Elliott, Harris, Kushner, Phillips, Siscoe, Sorrento, and Mayor Sendzik
Nays:Councillors Stevens, Garcia and Haywood
Carried
3.2. | Financial Management Services, Property Management Supplemental Information Regarding Proposal to Declare Excess Property as Surplus, former Merritton Town Hall at 343-353 Merritt Street and Old Fire Station #4 at 16 Walnut Street, Realty File No. 13-16 |
(Note: Item 3.2 and Item 3.1 were considered together)
Moved By: Councillor Stevens
That Council receive this report for information. FORTHWITH
Yeas:Councillors Siscoe, Sorrento, Williamson, Bellows, Britton, Elliott, Garcia, Harris, Kushner, Phillips, and Mayor Sendzik
Nays:Councillors Stevens and Haywood
Carried
3.3. | Legal and Clerks Services, Office of the City Clerk Annual Councillor Appointments - Deputy Mayor, Outside Boards and Associations |
That Council appoint one representative to the following for 2016:
• Councillor Phillips as Deputy Mayor
• Councillor Bellows to the Niagara Wine Festival Board of Directors
• Councillor Siscoe to the St. Catharines Downtown Association
• Councillor Garcia to the Port Dalhousie Business Association
FORTHWITH
Yeas:Councillors Williamson, Bellows, Britton, Elliott, Garcia, Harris, Haywood, Kushner, Phillips, Siscoe, Sorrento, Stevens, and Mayor Sendzik
Nays:
Carried as Amended
3.4. | Parks, Recreation and Culture Services, Programs and Cultural Services St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Centre Strategic Plan - 2015-2020 |
Moved By: Councillor Williamson
That City Council approve the St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Centre Strategic Plan; and
That Council direct staff to revise the Museum's by-law in order to reflect the recommended changes to the Museum's governing documents. FORTHWITH
Yeas:Councillors Kushner, Phillips, Siscoe, Sorrento, Stevens, Williamson, Bellows, Britton, Elliott, Garcia, Harris, Haywood, and Mayor Sendzik
Nays:
Carried
3.5. | Planning and Building Services, Planning Services Municipal Consultation Process for Wireless Telecommunication Facilities |
That Council approve an application review fee of $1,500 for the review of a new proposal for telecommunication facilities; and
That this fee be included as part of the 2016 Schedule of Rates and Fees, after the public meeting held on December 14, 2015. FORTHWITH
Yeas:Councillors Bellows, Britton, Elliott, Garcia, Harris, Haywood, Kushner, Phillips, Siscoe, Sorrento, Stevens, Williamson, and Mayor Sendzik
Nays:
Carried
3.6. | Budget Standing Committee 2016 Schedule of Rates and Fees |
That Council approve the 2016 Schedule of Rates and Fees as recommended by the Budget Standing Committee; and
That the increase in planning fees by 30% for 2016 be used towards a full cost recovery study to investigate measures to achieve a full cost recovery model, subject to a report to the BSC on the direct costs in the summer of 2016; and
That a further staff report to the BSC on full cost recovery of planning fees by September 2017 with the goal of the implementation be for the 2018 Rates and Fees; and
That staff proceed with review and refining the comparators of the rates and fees with a report to the BSC by September 2016 for 2017 Budget; and
That the City Clerk be directed to maintain the list of Rates and Fees for public inspection in the Legal Services and Clerks department; and
That the City Solicitor be directed to prepare the necessary by-laws. FORTHWITH
Yeas:Councillors Haywood, Kushner, Phillips, Siscoe, Sorrento, Stevens, Britton, Elliott, Garcia, Harris, and Mayor Sendzik
Nays:Councillors Williamson and Bellows
Carried
Moved By: Councillor Williamson
Seconded By: Councillor Haywood
That the time is now 10:30 p.m. and Council has outstanding business, Council move to go beyond the curfew of 10:30 p.m. to complete the business at hand. FORTHWITH
Carried
3.7. | Transportation and Environmental Services, Operations Sidewalk Snow Removal Program for Seniors and Persons with Disabilities |
That Council approve the Sidewalk Snow Removal Program for Seniors and Persons with Disabilities for 2015/2016 Winter Season; and
That the City enter into an agreement with the Wayside House of St. Catharines for their services up to September 30, 2016; and
That the City Solicitor be directed to prepare the necessary by-law and agreement. FORTHWITH
Yeas:Councillors Sorrento, Stevens, Williamson, Bellows, Britton, Elliott, Garcia, Harris, Haywood, Kushner, Phillips, Siscoe, and Mayor Sendzik
Nays:
Carried
3.8. | Transportation and Environmental Services, Operations Special Event / Road Closure Request: 2016 IIHF U18 Women's World Hockey Championship, January 8-10, 2016 |
That Council approve the request by Niagara Sport Commission for the 2016 IIHF U18 Women’s World Hockey Championship festival in the downtown; and
That the public be notified that the Director of Transportation and Environmental Services will temporarily close a portion of St. Paul Street between William Street and James Street on Friday, January 8, 2016, at 6:00 pm to Sunday, January, 10, 2016, at 11:00 pm, to permit a community event; and
That Niagara Sport Commission enter into a License Agreement detailing the conditions and requirements for the provision of a three day community event as generally described in this report and to the satisfaction of the Director of Transportation and Environmental Services; and
That staff be directed to work with Niagara Sport Commission and St. Catharines Downtown Association to address and resolve some concerns raised by the BIA; and
Further, that the City Solicitor be directed to prepare the necessary by-law and agreement. FORTHWITH
Councillor Siscoe asked the Chair to call the question
Yeas:Councillors Harris, Haywood, Kushner, Phillips, Siscoe, Stevens, Williamson, Bellows, Britton, Elliott, Garcia, and Mayor Sendzik
Nays:
Carried as Amended
Councillor Sorrento left the meeting and was not present for the vote.
3.9. | Planning and Building Services, Building and Development Updated and Graffiti By-law |
That Council defer the report to the meeting of January 25, 2016.
Motion to Defer Carried
3.10. | Planning and Building Services, Planning Services Recommendation of St. Catharines Heritage Permit Advisory Committee Regarding the Proposed Demolition of Existing Dwelling at 45-47 Bayview Avenue |
That the Heritage Permit application to demolish the existing dwelling at 45-47 Bayview Avenue, be approved. FORTHWITH
Yeas:Councillors Garcia, Harris, Haywood, Kushner, Phillips, Siscoe, Williamson, Bellows, Britton, Elliott, and Mayor Sendzik
Nays:
Carried
Councillor Stevens left the meeting and was not present for the vote.
3.11. | Office of the Chief Administrative Officer, Administration; and Commissioner of Corporate Services; and Commissioner of Operations Strategic Plan Implementation - 2016 and Future Priorities |
That Council defer the report to the meeting of January 11, 2016.
Motion to Defer Carried
3.12. | Parks, Recreation and Culture Services, Administration Services Lakeside Park Enhancement Report |
Moved By: Councillor Williamson
That Council direct staff to continue to execute previously approved Lakeside Park amenity upgrades. FORTHWITH
Yeas:Councillors Britton, Elliott, Garcia, Harris, Haywood, Kushner, Phillips, Siscoe, Williamson, Bellows, and Mayor Sendzik
Nays:
Carried
4. | Consent Reports |
Follow this link to view General Committee Agenda reports of December 14, 2015
4.1. | Brought forward for discussion - See Item 3.7 Transportation and Environmental Services, Operations Sidewalk Snow Removal Program for Seniors and Persons with Disabilities |
4.2. | Brought forward for discussion - See Item 3.8 Transportation and Environmental Services, Operations Special Event / Road Closure Request: 2016 IIHF U18 Women's World Hockey Championship, January 8-10, 2016 |
4.3. | Transportation and Environmental Services, Engineering and Construction Project P15-091 – 2015 Asphalt Patching Revised Contract Amount for 2015 and Authority to Renew for 2016 and 2017 |
That Council grant approval to increase the 2015 contract amount by $5,075 to $304,315 excluding HST for Project Number P15-091, 2015 Asphalt Patching awarded to Rankin Construction Inc.; and
That Council authorize a two year renewal of contract P15-091 in 2016 and 2017 as per the tendered terms, subject to the total value not exceeding Council’s approved budgets for asphalt restoration and roller patching in 2016 and 2017; and
That the City Solicitor be authorized to prepare the necessary by-laws and agreements. FORTHWITH
Approved on Consent
4.4. | Transportation and Environmental Services, Operations Streetlight Maintenance and Servicing Agreements - 2016 |
That Council endorse the awarding of the Streetlight Maintenance Agreement to the new maintenance provider by Horizon Energy Solutions Inc.; and
That Council approve the three-year Streetlight Servicing Agreement with Horizon Energy Solutions Inc. in accordance with the terms outlined in this report; and
That the City Solicitor be directed to prepare the necessary by-laws and agreements. FORTHWITH
Approved on Consent
4.5. | Planning and Building Services, Planning Services Request for Exemption from Planning Fees for Region of Niagara |
That Council approves an exemption from Planning fees for any development projects by the Region of Niagara; and
That the City Solicitor be directed to make any necessary by-law changes to implement this specific exemption. FORTHWITH
Approved on Consent
4.6. | Brought forward for discussion - See Item 3.9 Planning and Building Services, Building and Development Updated and Graffiti By-law |
4.7. | Brought forward for discussion - See Item 3.10 Planning and Building Services, Planning Services Recommendation of St. Catharines Heritage Permit Advisory Committee Regarding the Proposed Demolition of Existing Dwelling at 45-47 Bayview Avenue |
4.8. | Brought forward for discussion - See Item 3.11 Office of the Chief Administrative Officer, Administration; Commissioner of Corporate Services; and Commissioner of Operations Strategic Plan Implementation - 2016 and Future Priorities |
4.9. | Brought forward for discussion - See Item 3.12 Parks, Recreation and Culture Services, Administration Services Lakeside Park Enhancement Report |
4.10. | Fire and Emergency Management Services, Prevention A By-law to Regulate the Sale and Setting Off of Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Special Effects within the City of St. Catharines |
That Council refer the report from Fire and Emergency Management Services, Prevention dated November 25, 2015, regarding a by-law to regulate the sale and setting off of fireworks and pyrotechnic special effects within the City of St. Catharines, for consideration by City Council after the public meeting scheduled for January 11, 2016. FORTHWITH
Approved on Consent
4.11. | Financial Management Services, Billing Cancellation, Reduction, Refund of Property Taxes |
That Council approve the necessary tax reductions, cancellations and refunds pursuant to Section 357 and 358 of The Municipal Act in the amount of $30,718.04 in accordance with the list submitted by Financial Management Services, dated December 14, 2015, (see Appendix 1). FORTHWITH
Approved on Consent
4.12. | Financial Management Services, Director 2016 Draft City Departmental Expenditure Budget |
That Council refer the Draft City Departmental Expenditure Budget to the 2016 Budget Standing Committee for their consideration and recommendations. FORTHWITH
Approved on Consent
Legal and Clerks Services, Office of the City Clerk Council Correspondence |
That Council receive and file the items listed within the report; and
That Council receive and file additional correspondence distributed for the meeting held December 14, 2015, which is available upon request, and include a letter from the St. Catharines Downtown Association regarding concerns with the street closures for the 2016 IIHF U18 Women's World Hockey Championships to be held in January and the Cultural Funding Review - Summary of Evaluation and Recommendations from Cultural Funding Task Force. FORTHWITH
Approved on Consent
5. | Report Requests and Directions for Staff |
Directions have been noted and will be provided to the appropriate members of staff.
6. | In-Camera Session (General Committee) |
Council met In-Camera for the following purposes:
• a proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land by the municipality or local board, Realty File No. 15-90 and Realty File No. 15-93
That this meeting of the General Committee recess and reconvene In-Camera.
Carried
General Committee adjourned to the In-Camera session at 11:21 p.m.
7. | Adjournment |
The Mayor called for adjournment following the In-Camera session.
There being no further items of business, General Committee adjourned at 11:39 p.m. and City Council reconvened.
Certified Correct: Confirmed by:
Council Coordinator | Mayor |