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The Corporation of the City of St. Catharines

GENERAL COMMITTEE MINUTES

Monday, March 21, 2016

 

Present:

 

 

 

 

Absent:

Mayor Walter Sendzik

Councillors Sandie Bellows, Mike Britton, N. Carlos Garcia,

Matt Harris, David A. Haywood, Joseph Kushner, Bill Phillips,

Mathew Siscoe, Sal Sorrento, Jennifer Stevens, and Bruce Williamson

 

Councillor Mark Elliott

 

Officials

Present:

Dan Carnegie, Chief Administrative Officer

Shelley Chemnitz, Commissioner of Corporate Services

Bryan Shynal, Commissioner of Operations

Nicole Auty, Director of Legal and Clerks Services/City Solicitor

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

Bonnie Nistico-Dunk, City Clerk

Rebecca Alfieri, Council and Committee Coordinator

 

Mayor Sendzik was in the chair and called the meeting to order in Council Chambers at 9:24 p.m.

 

 

1.

Call for Reports to be Brought Forward from Consent

Item No. 4.1 - Glen Ridge Community Task Force (Councillor Kushner)

Item No. 4.2 - Lakeside Park Enhancements - Follow-up to November 16, 2015 Council Meeting (Councillor Garcia)

Item No. 4.6 - Dalhousie House - 52 Lakeport Road, Offer for lease by Request for Proposal and Cost of Public Parking and Public Washrooms, Realty File No. 84-22 (Councillor Garcia)

Item No. 4.11 - Fireworks By-law - Sale and Discharge of Fireworks (Councillor Stevens)

Item No. 4.13, Sub Item 2. - Council Correspondence - Resolution-AMO-Broader Municipal Investment Powers (Councillor Britton)

Item No. 4.13, Sub Item 17. - Council Correspondence - Sylvia Matthews - Folk Arts Festival (Councillor Sorrento)

 

2.

Motion to Move Reports on Consent

Moved By:  Councillor Phillips

Seconded By:  Councillor Sorrento

That Council approve the Consent Agenda, save and except those items brought forward for discussion. FORTHWITH

Yeas: Councillors Bellows, Britton, Garcia, Harris, Haywood, Kushner, Phillips, Siscoe, Sorrento, Stevens, Williamson, and Mayor Sendzik

Nays:

Carried

Council recessed at 9:29 p.m., and reconvened at 9:39 p.m.

 

3.

Discussion Reports

Follow this link to view General Committee Agenda reports of March 21, 2016

The Chair requested Council deal with General Agenda Item 3.3, Item 3.2, and then Item 3.1.

 

3.1.

Parks, Recreation and Culture Services, Director

Support for Niagara Folk Arts Multicultural Centre and Festival

(At the meeting of February 22, 2016, Council referred this item to staff for further information)

Councillor Sorrento requested it be noted that the information sought in the motion passed at the meeting of February 22, 2016, was different than the question asked by staff during the telephone survey to the multicultural clubs.

 

Councillor Siscoe declared a Conflict (Pecuniary), due to his wife is on the board, and left the room during the discussion of this item.

Moved By:  Councillor Stevens

That Report PRCS-084-2016 be received for information; and

That Council direct to staff to enter into a Fee-for-Service agreement with the Folk Arts Council of St. Catharines for the provision of services associated with the annual Festival at a rate of $41,000 per annum plus in-kind fees as indicated in the Fee-for-Service Agreement to the maximum amount shown therein with the understanding that the Niagara Folk Arts Council is responsible for costs over and above for a period covering the 2016, 2017, and 2018 Festivals; and

That Parks Recreation and Culture Services be authorized to disburse $41,000 to the Folk Arts Council of St. Catharines for the 2016 festival after the said agreement has been executed; and

That the 2017 and 2018 disbursements, subject to Council review, be conditional upon satisfactory reports back to Council; and

Further, that the City Solicitor be directed to prepare the necessary documents and by-laws. FORTHWITH

...

Moved By:  Councillor Sorrento

That the Niagara Folk Arts Council be funded for a period of one year only, for the 2016; and

That prior to further funding, that staff review and report on the format and structures of the agreement and that they use best practices to produce a new agreement moving forward by July.

...

Councillor Phillips called the question.

The Chair requested Council vote on each part of the motion separately.

Part One

That the Niagara Folk Arts Council be funded for a period of one year only, for the 2016.

Yeas: Councillors Britton, Haywood, and Sorrento

Nays: Councillors Bellows, Garcia, Harris, Kushner, Phillips, Stevens, Williamson, and Mayor Sendzik

Lost

Part Two

That prior to further funding, that staff review and report on the format and structures of the agreement and that they use best practices to produce a new agreement moving forward by July.

Yeas: Councillors Britton, and Sorrento

Nays: Councillors Bellows, Garcia, Harris, Haywood, Kushner, Phillips, Stevens, Williamson, and Mayor Sendzik

Lost


Council now voted on the original motion.

That Report PRCS-084-2016 be received for information; and

That Council direct staff to enter into a Fee-for-Service agreement with the Folk Arts Council of St. Catharines for the provision of services associated with the annual Festival at a rate of $41,000 per annum plus in-kind fees as indicated in the Fee-for-Service Agreement to the maximum amount shown therein with the understanding that the Niagara Folk Arts Council is responsible for costs over and above for a period covering the 2016, 2017, and 2018 Festivals; and

That Parks Recreation and Culture Services be authorized to disburse $41,000 to the Folk Arts Council of St. Catharines for the 2016 festival after the said agreement has been executed; and

That the 2017 and 2018 disbursements, subject to Council review, be conditional upon satisfactory reports back to Council; and

Further, that the City Solicitor be directed to prepare the necessary documents and by-laws. FORTHWITH

Yeas: Councillors Bellows, Britton, Garcia, Harris, Haywood, Kushner, Phillips, Sorrento, Stevens, Williamson, and Mayor Sendzik

Nays:
             Carried
 

3.2.

Planning and Building Services, Planning Services

Response to Council Motion on PBS-287-2015 Report - Recommendation of the St. Catharines Heritage Permit Advisory Committee (SCHPAC) and St. Catharines Heritage Advisory Committee (SCHAC) Regarding Proposed Demolition of Pavilion in Lakeside Park (9 Main Street)

 

The original recommendation was not put on the floor.

Moved By:  Councillor Williamson

WHEREAS the Port Dalhousie Conservancy has submitted a proposal for restoring and enhancing the Lakeside Park pavilion that would accomplish the City's objectives of making the pavilion safe and more usable; and

WHEREAS the City should always consider and evaluate viable alternatives to demolition of publicly-owned facilities; and

WHEREAS the restoration alternative would preserve this familiar and unique heritage structure in its current location; and

WHEREAS the restoration alternative will maintain its present size which is 50% larger than the one proposed and, the larger size makes it more viable for hosting uses such as centres for fun runs, picnic activities, the Port Farmers/Supper Market and other community events; and

WHEREAS keeping the existing pavilion would preserve its historic associations with: the NS&T Railway, the earlier era of the park and, events such as dances and Emancipation Day Picnics; and

WHEREAS the costs projected by builder Versluis Bros. for restoration/enhancement would result in significant savings to the taxpayer vs. the proposed alternative,

Be it therefore resolved, that staff convene a meeting between the volunteers at the Conservancy, MZE, Versluis Bros., and City staff and ward Councillors to fairly, and in an unbiased way, review and assess the potential Restoration/ Enhancement or new build alternative using all available geotechnical and structural information, confirm the costs and report back to Council within 30 days. FORTHWITH

Yeas: Councillors Bellows, Britton, Garcia, Harris, Haywood, Kushner, Phillips, Stevens, and Williamson

Nays: Councillors Siscoe, Sorrento, and Mayor Sendzik
        Carried

Moved By:  Councillor Phillips

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., not to exceed past 11:00 p.m., to complete the business at hand. FORTHWITH
           Carried
 

3.3.

Parks, Recreation and Culture Services, Programs and Cultural Services

Outdoor Aquatic Facilities Strategy and Capital Budget Amendment

(This item was deferred by General Committee at the meeting of February 29, 2016)

 

Moved By:  Councillor Phillips

That Council approve in principle the City of St. Catharines Outdoor Aquatic Facilities Strategy (Appendix 1); and

That Council direct staff to amend the 2013 Capital Budget for the purpose of reallocating $1,110,000, previously designated for the renewal of facilities at Lancaster Park and Burgoyne Woods to implement the Outdoor Aquatic Facilities Strategy including:

1. Costs associated with the decommissioning and demolition of pools located at Lancaster Park, Arthur Street and Burgoyne Woods.

2. The construction of a splash pad to be located at the north end of the city; and
That a task force be established to determine the future Aquatic Strategy. FORTHWITH

Yeas: Councillors Bellows, Britton, Garcia, Harris, Haywood, Kushner, Phillips, Siscoe, Williamson, and Mayor Sendzik

Nays: Councillors Sorrento, and Stevens
           Carried as Amended

3.4.

Planning and Building Services, Director

Glen Ridge Community Task Force - Terms of Reference

Mayor Sendzik declared a Conflict of Interest (Pecuniary), as it relates to his wife's employer, and left the chair.
Councillor Phillips took the chair.
Councillor Haywood declared a Conflict of Interest (Pecuniary), as the matter relates to his wife's employer.
Councillors Siscoe, and Williamson declared a Conflict of Interest (Pecuniary), as the matter relates to their employer.

 

Moved By:  Councillor Kushner

That Council adopt the Old Glen Ridge Community Task Force Terms of Reference in Appendix 1 of this report referred to as 101 South Drive Property Task Force. FORTHWITH

Yeas: Councillors Bellows, Britton, Garcia, Harris, Kushner, Phillips, Sorrento, and Stevens

Nays:
           Carried as Amended

 

3.5.

Parks, Recreation and Culture Services, Business Planning and Strategic Services

Lakeside Park Enhancements - Follow-up to November 15, 2015 Council Meeting

 

Mayor Sendzik, and Councillor Haywood were not present for the vote.

Moved By:  Councillor Garcia

That Council receive the report for information purposes. FORTHWITH

Yeas: Councillors Bellows, Britton, Garcia, Harris, Kushner, Phillips, Sorrento, Stevens, and Williamson

Nays:
            Carried

 

3.6.

Financial Management Services, Property Management

Dalhousie House - 52 Lakeport Road, Offer for Lease by Request for Proposal and Cost of Public Parking and Public Washrooms, Realty File No. 84-22

 

Mayor Sendzik returned to the Chair.
Councillors Haywood, and Siscoe were not present for the vote.

 

 

Moved By:  Councillor Garcia

That Council direct staff to issue a Request for Proposal for the lease of 52 Lakeport Road (Dalhousie House). FORTHWITH

Yeas: Councillors Bellows, Britton, Garcia, Harris, Kushner, Phillips, Sorrento, Williamson, and Mayor Sendzik

Nays: Councillor Stevens
            Carried

 

3.7.

Fire and Emergency Management Services, Prevention

Fireworks By-law - Sale and Discharge of Fireworks

 

Moved By:  Councillor Stevens

That Council defer the report from Fire and Emergency Management Services, Prevention regarding Fireworks By-law - Sale and Discharge of Fireworks for consideration following a public meeting, being held at the Council meeting of April 4, 2016. FORTHWITH
       Motion to Defer Carried

 

3.8.

Legal and Clerks Services, Office of the City Clerk

Council Correspondence - Sub Item 2

Association of Municipalities of Ontario - Request for Broader Municipal Investment Powers

 

Moved By:  Councillor Britton

That this item be deferred to the meeting of April 4, 2016.
      Motion to Defer Carried

 

3.9.

Legal and Clerks Services, Office of the City Clerk

Council Correspondence, Sub Item 17

Correspondence received from Sylvia Matthews - Folk Arts Festival Funding

Councillor Sorrento rescinded his request to have this correspondence discussed.

 

 

4.

Consent Reports

Follow this link to view General Committee Agenda reports of March 21, 2016

 

4.1.

Brought forward for discussion - See Item No. 3.4

Planning and Building Services, Director

Glen Ridge Community Task Force - Terms of Reference

 

 

 

4.2.

Brought forward for discussion - See Item No. 3.5

Parks, Recreation and Culture Services; Business Planning and Strategic Services

Lakeside Park Enhancements – Follow-up to November 16, 2015 Council Meeting

 

 

4.3.

Transportation and Environmental Services, Operations

Addition of FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre to Municipal Parking Facilities By-Law 89-305

 

That Council direct staff to add the rear driveway of the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre to Schedule A of By-law 89-305, a by-law which regulates the parking of vehicles in municipal parking facilities; and

That the City Solicitor be directed to prepare the necessary by-law. FORTHWITH

Approved on Consent

 

4.4.

Transportation and Environmental Services, Environmental Services

Summary Report of City of St. Catharines Water Distribution System as Required under Safe Drinking Water Act

 

That Council receive for information purposes the report from Transportation and Environmental Services, dated February 26, 2016, regarding the Summary Report of the City of St. Catharines Water Distribution System as required under the Safe Drinking Water Act. FORTHWITH

Approved on Consent

 

4.5.

Transportation and Environmental Services, Operations

Main Street - Pedestrian Signal Request - Follow-up Report

 

That Council receive this report for information purposes and no further action be taken. FORTHWITH

Approved on Consent

 

4.6.

Brought forward for discussion - See Item No. 3.6

Financial Management Services, Property Management

Dalhousie House - 52 Lakeport Road, Offer for Lease by Request for Proposal and Cost of Public Parking and Public Washrooms, Realty File No. 84-22

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.7.

Financial Management Services, Property Management

Former Merritton Town Hall and Fire Station, 343 Merritt Street and 16 Walnut Street, Expression of Interest, Realty File No. 13-16

 

That Council direct staff to issue a Request for Proposal for the sale or lease of 343 Merritt Street and 16 Walnut Street (former Merritton Town Hall and Fire Station) as shown on attached Appendix 1. FORTHWITH

Approved on Consent

 

4.8.

Financial Management Services, Accounting

2016 Water and Wastewater Budget and Associated Rates

 

That the report from the Financial Management Services Department – Accounting, dated March 1, 2016, regarding the 2016 Water and Wastewater Budget and Associated Rates, be referred to City Council for consideration after the Public Meeting scheduled for April 4, 2016, for which notice will be duly given. FORTHWITH

Approved on Consent

 

4.9.

Financial Management Services, Accounting and Payroll

2015 Statement of Remuneration and Expenses for Mayor and Members of City Council

 

That Council receive the report for information purposes and no further action be taken. FORTHWITH

Approved on Consent

 

4.10.

Financial Management Services, Accounting and Payroll

Development Charges Reserve Fund Statement of Continuity, December 31, 2015

 

That Council receive the report for information purposes and that a copy of the Development Charges Reserve Fund Statement of Continuity for the year ended December 31, 2015 be sent to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. FORTHWITH

Approved on Consent

 

4.11.

Brought forward for discussion - See Item No. 3.7

Fire and Emergency Management Services, Prevention

Fireworks By-law - Sale and Discharge of Fireworks

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.12.

Legal and Clerks Services, Office of the City Clerk

Citizen Appointment to Arts and Culture Advisory Committee

 

That Council appoint Susanne Melville to the Arts and Culture Advisory Committee as recommended by the Cultural Sustainability Committee for the remainder of the term of Council; and

That the Office of the City Clerk be directed to make the necessary notifications. FORTHWITH

Approved on Consent

 

4.13.

Legal and Clerks Services, Office of the City Clerk

Council Correspondence

* Sub Items 2, and 17 Brought forward for discussion - See Item No. 3.8, and 3.9

 

That Council receive and file the items listed within the report, save and except Sub Item 2 (see General Committee Minutes, Item 3.8, Association of Municipalities of Ontario - Request for Broader Municipal Investment Powers), and Sub Item 17 (see General Committee Minutes, Item 3.9, Correspondence received from Sylvia Matthews - Folk Arts Festival Funding; and 

That, at the request of Councillor Siscoe, Council direct staff to remove from the Outstanding Reports List, Item 24 regarding a report request on the feasibility of a crosswalk on the south side of the Lake and Ontario Streets intersection; and

That Council receive and file additional correspondence distributed for the meeting held March 21, 2016, which is available upon request and includes: (i) Niagara Poverty Reduction Network - Basic Income Guarantee Background Information for Presentation to Council March 21, 2016; (ii) Letter from Board of Directors, Folk Arts Multicultural Centre - Motion passed at the meeting of February 22, 2016 regarding Niagara Folk Arts Festival; (iii) Memo to Council from Director of Planning and Building Services - Application for Zoning By-Law Amendment ,1539 Fourth Avenue (1569 Fourth Avenue), St. Catharines. 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)

These items have been deferred to the meeting of Council, April 4, 2016.

 

Council will meet In-Camera for the following purposes:

         a proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land by the municipality or local board), Realty File No. 86-120 and Realty File No. 15-98

 

7.

Adjournment

General Committee adjourned at 11:06 p.m. and City Council reconvened.

 

 

Certified Correct:       Confirmed by:

Council Coordinator

Mayor