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The Corporation of the City of St. Catharines

GENERAL COMMITTEE MINUTES

Monday, June 13, 2016

 

Present:

 

 

 

 

 

Absent:

Mayor Walter Sendzik

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

Matt Harris, David A. Haywood, Joseph Kushner, Bill Phillips, Mathew Siscoe (arrived at 9:21 p.m.), Jennifer Stevens, and Bruce Williamson (left at 10:55 p.m.)

 

Councillor Sal Sorrento

 

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

Judy Pihach, 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

Phil Cristi, Jeffery Silcox-Childs, Acting Director, Parks, Recreation and Culture Services

David Wood, Director of Fire and Emergency Management Services

Steve Solski, Executive Director of the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre

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 8:19 p.m.

 

1.

Call for Reports to be Brought Forward from Consent

Item 4.7: Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program - Intake Two - Centennial Gardens & Seymour-Hannah Applications (Councillor Britton)

Item 4.8, Sub-item 1: Southridge Church, Outreach Mobilization-Southridge Shelter Re: Request to waive fees for Burgoyne Woods for Community Barbeques being held on June 22, July 20, and August 17, 2016 (Councillor Harris)

Item 4.8, Sub-Item 20: Outstanding Reports List as at June 3, 2016, Item No. 11 (Councillor Haywood)

Item 4.8, Sub-Item 20: Outstanding Reports List as at June 3, 3016, Item No. 34 (Councillor Harris)


 

2.

Motion to Move Reports on Consent

Moved By:  Councillor Elliott

Seconded By:  Councillor Bellows

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

Yeas: Councillors Bellows, Britton, Elliott, Garcia, Haywood, Kushner, Phillips, Stevens, and Mayor Sendzik

Nays:

Carried

 

3.

Discussion Reports

Follow this link to view General Committee Agenda reports of June 13, 2016

 

3.1.

Staff Presentation: Dan Carnegie, Chief Administrative Officer, and Tracey Miller, Manager of Business Process Improvement Precedes Discussion of Report 

Office of the Chief Administrative Officer, Administration

Update on Continuous Improvement

Dan Carnegie, Chief Administrative Office, and Tracey Miller, Manager of Business Process provided Council with an overview, including a slide presentation, regarding an Update on Continuous Improvement, including a recap of the improvements implemented to date utilizing Lean and Six Sigma concepts and tools, as well as plans for the future of continuous improvement. Mr. Carnegie, and Ms. Miller answered questions from Council.

 

Moved By:  Councillor Siscoe

That Council receive the presentation from Dan Carnegie, Chief Administrative Officer, and Tracey Miller, Manager of Business Process Improvement; and

That Council receive the report ‘Update on Continuous Improvement’ for information. FORTHWITH

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

Nays:

Carried

Council now discussed Item No. 3.3

 

3.2.

Corporate Services, Commissioner

Payroll and Human Resources Information System Award

 

Moved By:  Councillor Britton

That Council award the Request for Proposal to ERP Connex/UNIT 4 Business Software in the amount of $686,547.29 plus HST; and

That Council grant early 2016 Capital Budget approval for $173,000 to fund the award of the Request for Proposal to ERP Connex/UNIT 4 Business Software; and

That staff pursue opportunities with other municipalities for the utilization of the applications with the goal of providing capital and annual cost recovery for the City; and

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

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

Nays:

Carried as Amended

Council now discussed Item No. 3.5

 

3.3.

Corporate Support Services, Human Resources

Hiring Process for Senior Management Positions, Supplemental Information

(Deferred by General Committee, May 30, 2016, Item 3.5)

 

Moved By:  Councillor Stevens

That more Councillors be appointed to the Hiring Committee for senior staff, and

That the Chief Administrative Officer be part of the Hiring Committee for all levels of senior management. FORTHWITH

...

Moved By:  Councillor Phillips

That one Councillor appointed by Council, and Mayor or designate to be added to the Level 3 Director Hiring Committee. FORTHWITH

Yeas: Councillors Britton, Elliott, Garcia, Harris, Phillips, Stevens, and Williamson

Nays: Councillors Bellows, Haywood, Kushner, Siscoe, and Mayor Sendzik

Carried


 

That more Councillors be appointed to the Hiring Committee for senior staff, and

That the Chief Administrative Officer be part of the Hiring Committee for all levels of senior management. FORTHWITH

Yeas: Councillors Britton, Harris, Stevens

Nays: Councillors Bellows, Elliott, Garcia, Haywood, Kushner, Phillips, Siscoe, Williamson, and Mayor Sendzik

Lost

Council put the staff recommendation on the floor.

Moved By:  Councillor Phillips

That Council approve the continued inclusion of elected officials on hiring committees for senior staff positions as outlined in this report. FORTHWITH

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

Nays: Councillors Britton, and Stevens

Carried as Amended

As it is pertinent to hire a new Director of Parks, Recreation and Culture Services due to the position's current vacancy, the Mayor gave up his seat on the Hiring Committee, and delegated Councillor Phillips as Deputy Mayor to the Level 3 Director Hiring Committee. Council voted by ballot to appoint Councillor Harris to the Committee. Council recessed at 8:54 p.m. in order to participate in the vigil being held out front of City Hall, and reconvened at 9:21 p.m.

 

3.4.

Corporate Support Services, Human Resources

Firefighters Recruitment Process – Additional Information

(Deferred by General Committee, May 2, 2016, Item 4.1)

 

The staff recommendation was not put on the floor.

Moved By:  Councillor Stevens

That staff include firefighting college, training and successful completion of any other applicable skills training as positive consideration for the hiring process. FORTHWITH

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

Nays: Councillor Williamson
          Carried

Council now discussed Item No. 3.6

 

3.5.

Planning and Building Services, Planning Services

Application for Draft Plan of Vacant Land Condominium Approval for 29-Unit Townhouse Development at 60 Canterbury Drive; Owner: Centennial Developments (Niagara) Inc.; Agent: Upper Canada Consultants

(Referred by Council following the Public Meeting, May 30, 2016, for consideration by General Committee at the meeting of June 13, 2016)

         Councillors Siscoe and Harris were not present at the public meeting; therefore, in accordance with the City's Procedural By-law 2015-170, Section E5, did not participate nor vote on the matter.

 

Moved By:  Councillor Williamson

That approval be granted to a draft plan of vacant land condominium for the lands described as Part of Lot 12, Concession 8 Grantham, Part 1 Plan 30R-14313 St. Catharines and Lot 44 Plan 680 Grantham, City of St. Catharines, municipally known as 60 Canterbury Drive, as illustrated on Appendix 1 of this report, subject to the Conditions of Draft Plan of Condominium Approval, as outlined in Appendix 2 of this report; and

That the Notice of Decision required by the Planning Act, R.S.O. 1990, c.P. 13, as amended, be processed by staff; and

That after notice of Council’s decision has been given, the Clerk be authorized to endorse the plan as “Draft Approved” on the day after the appeal period has expired, in accordance with the Planning Act, provided that no appeals have been lodged; and

That upon expiration of the appeal period, staff be directed to forward any appeals to the Ontario Municipal Board for consideration and final decision; and

That staff continue to keep communication open with residents in area, and work with the developer regarding dust control, during the development process; and

Further, that the Clerk be directed to make all necessary notifications. FORTHWITH

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

Nays:

Carried as Amended

Council now discussed Item No. 3.4

 

3.6.

Transportation and Environmental Services, Engineering and Construction

P15-001 Ontario Street - Award of Tender and Wastewater Budget Amendment

 

Moved By:  Councillor Elliott

That Council direct staff to award the tender for P15-001 Ontario Street to O’Hara Trucking & Excavating Inc., in the amount of $1,788,414.65 plus HST subject to confirmation by Niagara Region of the Region’s share of costs; and

That Council grant approval to use $235,000 from P16-062 Churchill Street funded by the 2016 Wastewater Budget; and

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

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

Nays:

Carried

Council now discussed Item No. 3.1

 

3.7.

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

Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program - Intake Two - Centennial Gardens and Seymour-Hannah Applications (Item No. 4.7 pulled from Consent)

 

Moved By:  Councillor Britton

That Council approve the report PRCS-162-2016 dated June 8, 2016, regarding FedDev Ontario’s Canada 150 Infrastructure Program – Intake Two; and

That Council direct staff to submit the Centennial Gardens Project consisting of staircase reconstruction, trail improvements, construction of a covered picnic and gathering space, and tree maintenance to the Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program for funding review; and

That Council authorize the allocation of the unused $190,000 of approved 2014 Capital Budget funding for Centennial Gardens upgrades towards the required contribution of matching funds for this project; and

That Council provide early approval in the amount of $195,000 from the 2017 Capital Budget as the remainder of the required contribution of funds towards the Centennial Gardens Project; and

That Council direct staff to provide an update report on Centennial Gardens Revitalization Plan, including any additional plans since originally approved in 2010; and

That Council direct staff to submit the Seymour-Hannah Project consisting of rink floor rehabilitation (pads two and three) and energy improvements to the Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program for funding review; and

 

Further, that Council authorize the allocation of the approved $2 million from the 2017 Capital Budget towards the required contribution of matching funds for this project. FORTHWITH

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

Carried as Amended

Moved By:  Councillor Phillips

Seconded By:  Councillor Siscoe

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 11:00 p.m., to complete the business at hand. FORTHWITH

Carried

 

3.8.

Legal and Clerks Services, Office of the City Clerk

Council Correspondence

Note: Sub-items 1, and 20 were brought forward for discussion - See Item 3.8

 

Moved By:  Councillor Harris

     Sub-item 1

Grants to Offset Fees for Use of Municipal Facilities and Services
Southridge Church, Outreach Mobilization - Southridge Shelter
Re: Community Barbeques at Burgoyne Woods, June 22, July 20, and August 17, 2016

That Council waive the park rental fee for Southridge Church Shelter, Community Barbeques, being held June 22, July 20, and August 17, 2016. FORTHWITH

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

Nays:

Carried

Moved By:  Councillor Harris

     Sub-Item 20

Outstanding Reports List (Line 34 - Report Request, November 30, 2015, Seymour Hannah)

That the report request made on November 30, 2015, regarding Seymour Hannah Sportsplex be brought to Council at the end of September, the same time as the repairs are to be completed. FORTHWITH

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

Nays:

Carried

Moved By:  Councillor Haywood

     Sub-Item 20

Outstanding Reports List (Line 11 - Report Request, March 30, 2015, Fire and Emergency Management Services)

That staff be directed to include the information requested in the motion made at the meeting of March 30, 2015, regarding the removal of fire trucks from Fire and Emergency Services, in the Fire and Emergency Services Master Plan; and

That the deadline for the Fire Master Plan be extended to the end of September or October. FORTHWITH

Yeas: Councillors Bellows, Elliott, Harris, Kushner, Phillips, Siscoe, Stevens, Williamson, and Mayor Sendzik

Nays: Councillors Britton, Garcia, Haywood

Carried

 

4.

Consent Reports

Follow this link to view General Committee Agenda reports of June 13, 2016

 

4.1.

Financial Management Services, Property Management

Proposal to Declare Surplus Land, Vacant Land Adjacent to 283 St. Paul Street, Realty File: 16-12

 

That Council declare the vacant parcel of land shown as Part Lot 397, Corporation Plan 2 (Part 4, RP30R-1740) in the City of St. Catharines as surplus, and disposed of according to procedures outlined in Property By-law 2007-309; and

That Sections 4.6, and 4.7 of Property By-law 2007-309, relating to notification of Niagara Region and School Boards, placing of a ‘For Sale’ sign and listing of the property on the local Real Estate Board, be waived; and

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

Approved on Consent

 

 

 

 

 

4.2.

Fire and Emergency Management Services, Training

Attendance at the Fire Department Instructors Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana from April 18-22, 2016

 

That Council receive the report from Fire and Emergency Services dated May 12, 2016, regarding the attendance at the Fire Department Instructors Conference in Indianapolis Indiana, as an overview of the conference. FORTHWITH

Approved on Consent

 

4.3.

Transportation and Environmental Services, Engineering and Construction

Cushman Road Park - Parking Feasibility

 

That Council receive this report for information purposes; and

That consideration for construction of a new parking lot at this location be referred to the Budget Standing Committee as part of future capital budget works. FORTHWITH

Approved on Consent

 

4.4.

Transportation and Environmental Services, Operations

Left-turn Advanced Phase at Intersection of Niagara Street and Vine Street / Facer Street

 

That Council receive this report for information purposes. FORTHWITH

Approved on Consent

 

4.5.

Transportation and Environmental Services, Operations

Traffic Calming on Henley Island Drive

 

That Council receive this report for information purposes. FORTHWITH

Approved on Consent

 

4.6.

Parks, Recreation and Culture Services, Performing Arts Centre

Request for Proposal for Film House Programming Services

 

That Council award the Request for Proposal for the Film House Programming Service contract at the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre to the Niagara Artist Centre at a cost of $8,000 per month plus $1040 HST, starting Monday June 20, 2016, and ending Sunday June 18, 2017; and

That the City Solicitor be directed to prepare the necessary agreement documents and by-laws. FORTHWITH

Approved on Consent

 

 

4.7.

Brought forward for discussion - See Item 3.7

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

Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program - Intake Two - Centennial Gardens and Seymour-Hannah Applications

 

 

4.8.

Legal and Clerks Services, Office of the City Clerk

Council Correspondence

Note: Sub-items 1, and 20 were brought forward for discussion - See Item 3.8

 

That Council receive and file the items listed within the report, save and except Sub-items 1, and 20; and

That Council receive and file additional correspondence distributed for the meeting held June 13, 2016, which is available upon request and includes a handout distributed by Jennifer Masonovich regarding changes to Ontario's Autism Program, and the City of Hamilton's resolution regarding changes to Ontario's Autism Program. FORTHWITH

Approved on Consent

 

5.

Report Requests and Directions for Staff

 

5.1.

Resolution - City of Port Colborne, Re: Support for Resolution - Fencing Installed Along the Welland Canal

*Note: On May 30, 2016, Councillor Williamson removed Council Correspondence Item 4.8, Sub-item 4, from Consent for Discussion. The item was deferred to the meeting of June 13, 2016

 

Moved By:  Councillor Williamson

That Council endorse the City of Port Colborne's resolution regarding fencing installed along the Welland Canal.
       Carried

 

5.2.

Resolution - Niagara Region, Re: Support for Expansion of Customs Pre-Clearance Locations in Canada

*Note: On May 30, 2016, Councillor Britton removed Council Correspondence Item 4.8, Sub-item 5, from Consent for Discussion. The item was deferred to the meeting of June 13, 2016

 

Moved By:  Councillor Britton

That Council defer the correspondence from the Niagara Region, regarding support for expansion of customs pre-clearance locations in Canada to the Council meeting of June 27, 2016, so that Councillor Britton can put a motion on the floor for discussion.

Motion to Defer Carried

5.3.

Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce, Re: Support for a Bi-National Pre-Clearance Initiative at Peace Bridge

*Note: On May 30, 2016, Councillor Britton removed Council Correspondence Item 4.8, Sub-item 9, from Consent for Discussion. The item was deferred to the meeting of June 13, 2016

 

Moved By:  Councillor Britton

That Council defer the correspondence from the Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce, regarding support for a bi-national pre-clearance initiative at the Peace Bridge to the Council meeting of June 27, 2016, so that Councillor Britton can put a motion on the floor for discussion.

Motion to Defer Carried

Moved By:  Councillor Harris

That Council extend the curfew to 11:30 p.m. to complete the items on the agenda.

Councillor Stevens is noted as opposed.

Carried

 

5.4.

Review of City Council Meetings

 

Moved By:  Councillor Garcia

That staff be directed to prepare a report recommending steps that can be taken to make Council meetings more efficient and shorter; and

That Councillors who have suggestions, submit these directly to the Chief Administrative Officer in advance of the report coming to the July 11, 2016 Council meeting; and

That the motion for a report request by Councillor Stevens from the January 25, 2016 meeting, on the Outstanding Reports List be included in report.

Carried

 

6.

In-Camera Session (General Committee)

Council will meet In-Camera for the following purposes:

         verbal - personal matters about an identifiable individual, including municipal or local board employees

(Deferred by Council at the meeting of May 30, 2016)

         a proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land by the municipality or local board, Realty File No. 03-13, and Realty File No. 16-014

 

 

Moved By:  Mayor Sendzik

That this meeting of the General Committee recess and reconvene In-Camera.

Carried

General Committee recessed to the In-Camera session at 11:25 p.m.

 

7.

Adjournment

There being no further items of business, General Committee adjourned at
11:31 p.m. and City Council reconvened.

 

 

Certified Correct:        Confirmed by:

Council Coordinator

Mayor