December 14, 2015
Regular Council
The Corporation of the City of St. Catharines
REGULAR COUNCIL 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 took the chair and called the meeting to order in Council Chambers at 6:32 p.m. |
1. | Presentations |
1.1. | Kathleen Powell, Supervisor of Historical Services/Curator, City of St. Catharines Re: St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Centre Strategic Plan (see General Committee Agenda, December 14, 2015, Item 3.4) |
Kathleen Powell, Supervisor of Historical Services/Curator, and Bob DeWolfe, Co-chair of the Museum Advisory Committee, addressed Council to present the St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Centre Strategic Plan 2015-2020, including the goals and objectives for the five-year plan.
Seconded By: Councillor Williamson
That Council receive the presentation by Kathleen Powell, Supervisor of Historical Services/Curator, and Bob DeWolfe, Co-chair of the Museum Advisory Committee, regarding the St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Centre Strategic Plan and refer it to General Committee for consideration later this evening (see General Committee Minutes, December 14, 2015, Item 3.4).
Motion to Refer Carried
1.2. | Bryan Shynal, Commissioner of Operations, City of St. Catharines Re: Corporate Work Plan (see General Committee Agenda, December 14, 2015, Item 4.8) |
Bryan Shynal, Commissioner of Operations, addressed Council to present an overview of the Corporate Work Plan initiative for their information. He advised the Corporate Work Plan initiative is intended to improve staff engagement through more effective communication and consultation on work planning, using a cyclical business process with clear roles for divisional managers, directors and the senior management team. Mr. Shynal stated the key management tool will add further value to the City's services by fully leveraging all available expertise, experience and resources through staff engagement in decision making.
Seconded By: Councillor Elliott
That Council receive the presentation by Bryan Shynal, Commissioner of Operations, regarding the Corporate Work Plan and refer it to General Committee for consideration later this evening (see General Committee Minutes, December 14, 2015, Item 4.8).
Motion to Refer Carried
2. | Public Meetings Pursuant to Planning Act |
There were none this evening.
3. | Opening Remarks, Mayor Walter Sendzik |
Mayor Sendzik presented a verbal report on matters of community interest.
4. | Adoption of the Agendas |
The order of business this evening was changed at the request of the Chair.
Seconded By: Councillor Britton
That Council adopt the agendas for the meeting of December 14, 2015, as presented.
Carried
5. | Declarations of Interest |
None were declared at this time.
6. | Adoption of the Minutes (Council and General Committee) |
6.1. |
Seconded By: Councillor Siscoe
That Council adopt the minutes of the Regular meeting of Council held on Monday, November 30, 2015.
Carried
6.2. |
Seconded By: Councillor Siscoe
That Council adopt the minutes of the General Committee meeting held on Monday, November 30, 2015.
Carried
6.3. |
Seconded By: Councillor Siscoe
That Council adopt the minutes of the Standing Budget Committee meeting held on Wednesday, November 23, 2015.
Carried
7. | Delegations |
7.1. | Bob Gale, NRPS Board Chair, Bryan MacCulloch, Deputy Chief of Police, and Cindy White, Inspector, Niagara Regional Police Services; Re: Emergency Dispatch Services (see General Committee Agenda, December 14, 2015, Item 4.13, Sub-item 8) |
Bob Gale, NRPS Board Chair, on behalf of Regional Council, addressed Council regarding the feasibility of merging the Niagara emergency dispatch services. He reminded Council that they recently received a copy of the "Study of Emergency Dispatch Services" report which was prepared by IBI Group and dated November 30, 2012. Councillor Gale spoke of the possible savings through such things as attrition, equipment duplication and efficiencies. Deputy Chief of Police Bryan MacCulloch and Inspector Cindy White, Niagara Regional Police Services, were on hand to answer questions.
Seconded By: Councillor Britton
That Council direct staff to prepare a report with respect to Councillor Gale's presentation and the plans that are currently underway for a steering committee, all-encompassing of the conversation tonight, keeping in mind public safety, and including the financial implications.
Carried
Seconded By: Councillor Garcia
That Council receive the presentation by Bob Gale, NRPS Board Chair, regarding emergency dispatch services.
Carried
7.2. | Jennifer Wallace and John Crawley, Members of Cultural Funding Task Force Re: Recommendations to Council on City's Cultural Funding Policies, Programs and Funding Levels |
Jennifer Wallace and John Crawley, Members of Cultural Funding Task Force, addressed Council regarding the City's Cultural Funding Policies, Programs and Funding Levels. Ms. Wallace advised Council that the "Cultural Funding Review - Summary of Evaluation and Recommendations" report was made available to them through the Office of the City Clerk.
Seconded By: Councillor Kushner
That Council refer the presentation by the Cultural Funding Task Force regarding the recommendations to Council on the City's cultural funding policies, programs and funding levels to the Budget Standing Committee; and
That Council approve, in principal, the recommendations as outlined in the Cultural Funding Review – Summary of Evaluation and Recommendations; and
That staff be directed to report back in a year’s time as to how inflation affects the grant requests; and
That the Budget Standing Committee consider a three year amount with an inflationary increase, with a target of $3.28 per capita; and
That staff be directed to prepare a report with respect to a means on implementing the recommendations in the Task Force’s report so Council has a full picture from Financial Management Services as to the financial implications.
Motion to Refer Carried
7.3. | Diane Condon, Zone Commander, Royal Canadian Legion Re: Former Merritton Town Hall (see General Committee Agenda, December 14, 2015, Item 3.1 and Item 3.2) |
Diane Condon, Zone B5 Commander of the Royal Canadian Legion, addressed Council to express their interest in acquiring the former Merritton Town Hall to use for affordable, supportive housing for veterans. She advised Gateway Residential Support Services (Welland) has identified a need for residential space for veterans.
Seconded By: Councillor Stevens
That Council receive the presentation by Diane Condon, Royal Canadian Legion, regarding the former Merritton Town Hall and refer it to General Committee for consideration later this evening (see General Committee Minutes, December 14, 2015, Item 3.1 and Item 3.2).
Motion to Refer Carried
7.4. | Public Meeting (Pursuant to Notice By-law 2007-310, as Amended): (a) Municipal Consultation Process for Wireless Telecommunication Facilities (see General Committee Agenda, December 14, 2015, Item 3.5); and (b) 2016 Schedule of Rates and Fees (see General Committee Agenda, December 14, 2015, Item 3.6) |
The Mayor advised that public notice was provided in accordance with the City's Notice By-law for the public meeting regarding the 2016 Schedule of Rates and Fees, including the addition of a new application fee as outlined in Planning and Building Services’ report on Municipal Consultation Process for Wireless Telecommunication Facilities.
No persons registered with the Office of the City Clerk to be heard. The Mayor then invited members of the public to speak to the matter. No one wished to speak in this regard.
Seconded By: Councillor Phillips
That Council receive and refer this item for the consideration of General Committee later this evening (see General Committee minutes, December 14, 2015, Item 3.5 and Item 3.6).
Motion to Refer Carried
City Council recessed at 8:34 p.m. and reconvened at 8:44 p.m.
8. | Call for Notices of Motion |
8.1. | GO Rail Corridor Infrastructure Needs |
Councillor Siscoe provided Notice that he would present a Motion at the meeting of January 11, 2016, regarding the infrastructure needs of the GO Rail corridor.
8.2. | Request for Reconsideration of Previously Decided Motion Zoning Regulations Applicable to Residential Front Yard Parking |
Councillor Phillips put forth the following Notice of Motion to reconsider lifting the moratorium on residential front yard parking and requested Council suspend the rules to allow the motion requesting reconsideration of a previously decided motion to be considered this evening:
That Council approve reconsideration of the motion in the report from Planning and Building Services, Planning Services, respecting Zoning Regulations Applicable to Residential Front Yard Parking, dated July 31, 2015, Item 3.6 of the General Committee Minutes of September 28, 2015, being:
"That Council refer the report to the Parking and Property Standards By-law Enforcement Review Task Force."
...
Moved By: Councillor Phillips
Seconded By: Councillor Siscoe
That Council suspend the rules in accordance with Procedural By-law 2015-170, article A4, Suspension of Rules, to allow the motion to reconsider a previously decided motion to be put at the Regular meeting of December 14, 2015.
Carried
Motion to Reconsider Previously Decided Motion
Council now voted on the request to reconsider the previously decided motion regarding the referral of the report to the Parking and Property Standards By-law Enforcement Review Task Force.
Motion to Reconsider Carried
Council now voted on the original motion.
Original Motion to Refer to Task Force
Moved By: Councillor Phillips
Seconded By: Councillor Siscoe
That Council refer the report to the Parking and Property Standards By-law Enforcement Review Task Force. FORTHWITH
Yeas:Councillors Williamson, Bellows and Britton
Nays:Councillors Siscoe, Sorrento, Stevens, Elliott, Garcia, Harris, Haywood, Kushner, Phillips, and Mayor Sendzik
Lost
A new motion regarding zoning regulations applicable to residential front yard parking was now put.
New Motion regarding Residential Front Yard Parking
Moved By: Councillor Phillips
Seconded By: Councillor Siscoe
That Council direct staff to resume enforcement of the residential front yard parking provisions of Zoning By-law 2013-283. FORTHWITH
Yeas:Councillors Phillips, Siscoe, Stevens, Williamson, Bellows, Elliott, Garcia, Harris, Haywood, and Mayor Sendzik
Nays:Councillors Sorrento, Britton and Kushner
Carried
9. | Motions |
9.1. | Free Parking in City-owned Parking Lots and Garages on Remembrance Day Morning |
Seconded By: Councillor Harris
That Council approve in principle the implementation of free parking in all City-owned parking lots and garages in the downtown for Remembrance Day from 10 am – 1 pm effective November 11, 2016. FORTHWITH
Yeas:Councillors Phillips, Siscoe, Sorrento, Stevens, Williamson, Bellows, Britton, Elliott, Garcia, Harris, Haywood, Kushner, and Mayor Sendzik
Nays:
Carried as Amended
9.2. | Infrastructure Funding for Municipalities |
Seconded By: Councillor Britton
WHEREAS Canadians have recently elected a new Liberal Government; and
WHEREAS sixty billion dollars has been quoted as the amount to be targeted in infrastructure funding for municipalities; and
WHEREAS the City of St. Catharines needs to be pro-active in identifying and prioritizing infrastructure requirements in order to be considered for its fair share of these Federal funds; and
WHEREAS in the past, the City of St. Catharines has held special Council meetings to identify and prioritize Federal and Provincial funding requests; and
WHEREAS the City of St. Catharines has been successful in previous applications for Federal funding targeted for infrastructure projects identified;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that a special Council meeting be called to identify, prioritize, and list infrastructure requirements which could be considered eligible for future funding initiatives; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the MP for St. Catharines, Chris Bittle, and MP for South St. Catharines, Vance Badawey, be requested to advocate on the City's behalf and present the identified initiatives to the appropriate Federal department or contact.
Yeas:Councillors Stevens, Williamson, Bellows, Britton, Elliott, Garcia, Harris, Haywood, Kushner, Phillips, Siscoe, Sorrento, and Mayor Sendzik
Nays:
Carried as Amended
10. | Resolve into General Committee |
City Council recessed at 9:32 p.m. and General Committee convened. General Committee adjourned at 11:39 p.m. and City Council reconvened.
11. | Motion Arising from In-Camera Session |
11.1. | In-Camera Agenda Item No. 2.1 Financial Management Services, Property Management Property Matter – Acquisition, Realty File No. 15-90 |
The following declared a Conflict of Interest (Pecuniary) to this item and did not vote:
• Councillor Haywood, as the matter relates to his wife's employer
• Councillor Siscoe, as the matter relates to his employer
• Councillor Williamson, as the matter relates to his employer
Moved By: Councillor Elliott
Seconded By: Councillor Kushner
That Council does now reconvene from the In-Camera session; and
That Council direct staff to proceed as discussed regarding an acquisition with respect to a vacant parcel of surplus land on 4 Berkley Drive; and
That the City Solicitor be directed to prepare the necessary documents and by-laws. FORTHWITH
Yeas:Councillors Elliott, Garcia, Harris, Kushner, Phillips, Bellows, Britton, and Mayor Sendzik
Nays:
Carried
11.2. | In-Camera Agenda Item No. 2.2 Financial Management Services, Property Management Property Matter – Disposition, Realty File No. 15-93 |
Seconded By: Councillor Kushner
That Council direct staff to proceed as discussed regarding a property disposition with respect to lands at 375 Lake Street; and
That the City Solicitor be directed to prepare the necessary documents and by-laws. FORTHWITH
Yeas:Councillors Elliott, Garcia, Harris, Haywood, Kushner, Phillips, Siscoe, Bellows, Britton, and Mayor Sendzik
Nays:
Carried
12. | Motion to Ratify Forthwith Recommendations |
Seconded By: Councillor Siscoe
That Council adopt those items approved FORTHWITH by the General Committee on Monday, December 14, 2015.
Carried
13. | By-laws |
13.1. | Reading of By-laws |
Seconded By: Councillor Phillips
That the following by-laws be read a first time, considered and passed; and
That they be signed and executed by the Mayor and City Clerk.
By-law No. 2015-282 A By-law to amend By-law No. 89-304 entitled “A By-law to designate private roadways as fire routes along which no parking of vehicles is permitted.” (One reading – with respect to fire routes at 1862, 1894, and 1900 Seventh Street. Delegation By-law No. 2004-277, as amended.) File: 77.34.99, 68.13.1
By-law No. 2015-283 A By-law to authorize a Development Agreement with First Wellington Place Inc. (One reading – with respect to condition of Minor Variance Application A-50/14 for the development of 1 Wellington Street. Delegation By-law No. 2004-277, as amended.) File: 60.81.1
By-law No. 2015-284 A By-law to deem part of a certain registered plan of subdivision not to be a registered plan of subdivision for the purposes of Section 50, subsection 3 of the Planning Act, R.S.O. 1990. (One reading – with respect to the unnamed road allowance west of Harcove Street and a one foot reserve described as Lot 18 on registered plan 552. Delegation By-law No. 2004-277, as amended.) File: 60.46.5 Vol. 5
By-law No. 2015-285 A By-law to authorize a Funding Agreement with The Tourism Partnership of Niagara. (One reading – with respect to the Ignite Tete-a-Tete project. Delegation By-law 2004-277, as amended.) File: 68.45.99
By-law No. 2015-286 A By-law to authorize the conveyance of certain lands to Christian Senior Citizen Homes Society of St. Catharines. (One reading – with respect to the unnamed road allowance west of Harcove Street and a one foot reserve described as Lot 18 on registered plan 552. Council, September 28, 2015, Item No. 11.2.) File: 16.7.10
By-law No. 2015-287 A By-law to authorize an Agreement with The Wayside House of St. Catharines. (One reading – with respect to sidewalk snow removal program for seniors and persons with disabilities. General Committee, December 14, 2015, Item 4.1.) File: 68.81.3
By-law No. 2015-288 A By-law to authorize a License Agreement with Niagara Sport Commission. (One reading – with respect to the 2016 IIHF U18 Women’s World Hockey Championship festival being held on January 8-10, 2016. General Committee, December 14, 2015, Item 4.2.) File: 68.45.109
By-law No. 2015-289 A By-law to close temporarily part of St. Paul Street. (One reading – with respect to the 2016 IIHF U18 Women’s World Hockey Championship festival being held on January 8-10, 2016. General Committee, July 21, 2014, Item 4.2.) File: 77.44.99
By-law No. 2015-290 A By-law to authorize a contract with Rankin Construction Inc. (One reading – with respect to 2016 and 2017 Asphalt Patching, under Project No. P15-091. General Committee, December 14, 2015, Item 4.3.) File: 18.20.202
By-law No. 2015-291 A By-law to authorize an Agreement with Horizon Energy Solutions Inc. (One reading – with respect to the operation and maintenance of all City owned streetlights. General Committee, December 14, 2015, Item 4.4.) File: 35.60.19
By-law No. 2015-292 A By-law to impose certain fees charged by The Corporation of the City of St. Catharines with respect to certain administrative matters. (One reading – with respect to 2016 Schedule of Rates and Fees. General Committee, December 14, 2015, Item 3.6.) File: 10.57.28
By-law No. 2015-293 A By-law to confirm the proceedings of council at its meeting held on the 14th day of December, 2015. (One reading – with respect to ratification and adoption of City Council Minutes of December 14, 2015 and General Committee Minutes of December 14, 2015.) File: 10.12.1
Carried
14. | Agencies, Boards, Committee Reports |
14.1. | Minutes to Receive: Green Advisory Committee - September 9, and October 14, 2015 Public Art Advisory Committee - October 16, 2015 Arts and Culture Advisory Committee - November 3, 2015 Downtown Development and Revitalization Advisory Committee, November 10, 2015 Cultural Funding Task Force - November 11, November 17, and November 18, 2015 |
Seconded By: Councillor Haywood
That Council receive and file the minutes of the Advisory Committees of Council, as presented.
Carried
15. | Adjournment |
Seconded By: Councillor Harris
There being no further items of business, this meeting be adjourned at 11:43 p.m.
Carried
Certified Correct:Confirmed by:
City ClerkMayor