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The Corporation of the City of St. Catharines

SPECIAL COUNCIL MINUTES

Monday, February 06, 2017

 

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 (left at 8:41 p.m.), Sal Sorrento, Jennifer Stevens, and Bruce Williamson

 

Officials

Present:

Dan Carnegie, Chief Administrative Officer

Shelley Chemnitz, Commissioner of Corporate Services

Bryan Shynal, Commissioner of Operations

Jeanette Pillitteri, Director of Corporate Support Services

Brian York, Director of Economic Development and Government Relations

Kristine Douglas, Director of Financial Management Services

David Wood, Director of Fire and Emergency Management Services

Heather Salter, Interim Director of Legal and Clerks Services/City Solicitor/ Deputy Clerk

Phil Cristi, Acting Director of Parks, Recreation and Culture Services

Dan Dillon, Director of Transportation and Environmental Services

Rebecca Alfieri, Council and Committee Coordinator

 

 

Mayor Sendzik took the chair and called the meeting to order in Council Chambers at 6:34 p.m.            

 

In the spirit of truth and reconciliation, the Mayor recognized the traditional territories of the First Nations where Council meets today, the territory of the Haudenasaunee, and Anishnabeg and nearby Six Nations of the Grand River. The Mayor said Mii'gwech (MEE-GWECH) (Thank You)

 

1.

Mayor's Report 

There was no report this evening.

 

2.

Adoption of the Agendas

Moved By:  Councillor Siscoe

Seconded By:  Councillor Elliott

That Council adopt the agendas for the special meeting of February 6, 2017, as presented.

Carried

2.2.

Suspension of Rules

 

Moved By:  Councillor Kushner

That Council suspend the rules in accordance with Procedural By-law 2015-170, as amended, Section A4, Suspension of the Rules, to allow for all additional delegations.

Motion to Suspend Rules Carried

 

3.

Adoption of the Minutes (Council and General Committee)

There were none.

 

4.

Declarations of Interest

There were none.

 

5.

Public Meetings Pursuant to Planning Act

There were none.

 

6.

Delegations

Council heard from the public on the following matter only: Double Duty Councillors - Passage of By-law to Change Composition of Regional Council

 

Mayor Sendzik asked Council to receive and refer, once all delegates have presented.

 

NOTE: For all delegations see Special General Committee Agenda, February 6, 2017, Item 1.1

 

 

6.1.

George Darte

George Darte asked Council to consider a citizen's advisory committee to be set up to review the job description, rate of pay and any benefits that the new Double Duty Councillors would receive. Mr. Darte answered questions from Councillors.

 

 

6.2.

Jim Fannon

Jim Fannon addressed Council with his concerns regarding centralization as it relates to this new Councillor. Mr. Fannon appealed to Council to deny the change to the Regional by-law. Mr. Fannon answered questions from Councillors.

 

 

6.3.

Colleen McTigue

Colleen McTigue addressed Council regarding her concerns that the new Councillor model would restrict the ability for all citizens in St. Catharines to run for Council.

 

6.4.

Peter Malaguti

Peter Malaguti addressed Council with his concerns relating to the cost to the tax payers if this by-law passes. Mr. Malaguti requested Councillors to ask City of St. Catharines citizens during the next election; what they would like to see.

 

 

6.5.

Ron McIntosh

Ron McIntosh addressed Council with his concerns, the cost to the tax payers to have six full time Councillors, and what are the benefits to the citizens if the Region were to pass the by-law, and alternatively what would the benefits be to the residents of St. Catharines.

 

 

6.6.

Jeff Burch

Jeff Burch addressed Council regarding his concerns. Mr. Burch requested that Council not approve passage of the by-law.

 

 

6.7.

Larry Savage

Larry Savage was not present.

 

 

6.8.

Mohamad Al Jumaibl

Mohamad Al Jumaibl  addressed Council requesting the City post a poll on the City's, St. Catharines Standard, Brock University and Niagara College's websites regarding the Double Duty Councillors to educate the public and seek their input.

 

 

6.9.

Ed Smith

Ed Smith addressed Council with his concerns due to concentration of power, and the lack of public education as to the role of the Double Duty Councillor.

 

 

6.10.

John Bullivant

John Bullivant addressed Council regarding his support, and asked Council to consider approving Double Duty Councillors in order to move forward from the status quo.

 

 

6.11.

Vicki-Lynn Smith    

Vicki-Lynn Smith addressed Council to ask Councillors to consider a referendum in the next municipal election.

 


Moved By:  Councillor Siscoe

Seconded By:  Councillor Bellows

That Council receive and refer the presentations regarding Double Duty Councillors - Passage of By-law to Change Composition of Regional Council to the Special General Committee Agenda Item 1.1 for consideration later in the evening.

Motion to Refer Carried

 

7.

Presentations

There were none.

 

8.

Call for Notices of Motion

There were none.

 

9.

Motions

There were none.

 

10.

Resolve into General Committee

City Council recessed at 7:28 p.m. and General Committee reconvened. General Committee adjourned at 9:03 p.m. and City Council reconvened.

 

11.

Motion Arising from In-Camera Session

Mayor Sendzik removed himself from the Chair following the In-Camera meeting, and Councillor Harris took the chair.

 

11.1.

In-Camera Item 2.1

Corporate Support Services, Human Resources

Verbal - Fire Negotiations - Labour Relations or Employee Negotiations 

 

Moved By:  Councillor Haywood

Seconded By:  Councillor Williamson

That Council does now reconvene from the In-Camera session; and

That Council receive the verbal from the Director of Corporate Support Services regarding information about labour relations or employee negotiations.

Carried

 

12.

Motion to Ratify Forthwith Recommendations

Moved By:  Councillor Harris

Seconded By:  Councillor Garcia

That Council adopt those items approved FORTHWITH by the Special General Committee on Monday, February 6, 2017.

Carried

13.

By-laws

There were none.

 

14.

Agencies, Boards, Committee Reports

There were none.

 

15.

Adjournment

Moved By:  Councillor Haywood

Seconded By:  Councillor Williamson

There being no further items of business, this meeting be adjourned at 9:05 p.m.

Carried

 

 

Certified Correct:Confirmed by:

 

 

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Deputy City ClerkMayor