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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil - 2012-09-24 SSPECIAL COUNCIL MINUTES SEPTEMBER 24, 2012 CITY OF KITCHENER A special meeting of City Council was held at 1:48 p.m. this date, chaired by Mayor C. Zehr with all members present. Notice of this meeting had been previously given to all members of Council by the City Clerk pursuant to Chapter 25 (Council Procedure) of the Municipal Code. Mayor C. Zehr advised staff has requested that an additional item be added to the agenda this date regarding an urgent matter concerning the Forest Heights pool. Moved by Councillor P. Singh Seconded by Councillor F. Etherington “That in accordance with Section 25.4.4 (f) of Chapter 25 of the Municipal Code (Procedure), the following matter be added to the Special Council agenda for discussion this date: Forest Heights pool maintenance needs.” Carried by the required 2/3 of members present. Councillor D. Glenn-Graham advised he had given notice that he would introduce a motion this date regarding a pilot initiative called ‘Smiles per Hour’. Councillor Glenn-Graham explained that the project will entail erecting 2 pole-mounted signs in the Young and Duke Streets area indicating the number of smiles that have been recorded by volunteers between two persons passing each other on the street. He added that the volunteers would be from the St. Louis Continuing Education Centre and the signs would be designed and installed by City staff at an estimated cost of $300-$400. Councillor Glenn-Graham further advised that the initiative was first started in Australia with the intent of making people feel connected to their community which may encourage more involvement and help in dispelling the perception that the Downtown is unsafe. Councillor B. Vrbanovic advised that the Regional Crime Prevention Committee has the ‘Say Hi’ campaign, which is similar and asked if there has been any discussion with the Region to ensure the proposed initiative will align. Councillor Glenn-Graham suggested the two campaigns would complement each other and he was willing to discuss it further with the Region. Councillor K. Galloway suggested that there could be a negative impact should there be a lack of smiles recorded or, the number of smiles were to diminish over time. She further suggested that although the cost to pilot the project is small, if it is successful, cost and staff time will increase. Moved by Councillor D. Glenn-Graham Seconded by Councillor Y. Fernandes “WHEREAS the health benefits to individuals of feeling socially connected are now empirically well established, and promoted globally by the World Health Organisation; and, WHEREAS research shows that smiling induces autonomic physiological benefits for the smiler, as well as for the person receiving the smile and, contributes to a sense of being connected; NOW THEREFORE BE IT ENACTED that Council supports the pilot project ‘Smiles per Hour’ for a three-month period in the Duke and Young Street area whereby two signs will be posted indicating the number of smiles between people on the street; and, That staff be directed to design, create and install, two signs indicating ‘Smiles per Hour Zone’; and further, That Councillor D. Glenn-Graham report back to Council in January 2013 on the response to the pilot project. “ A recorded vote was requested. In Favour: Councillors D. Glenn-Graham, Y. Fernandes, J. Gazzola and Z. Janecki. SPECIAL COUNCIL MINUTES SEPTEMBER 24, 2012 - 229-CITY OF KITCHENER Contra: Mayor C. Zehr and Councillors S. Davey, B. Vrbanovic, K. Galloway, B. Ioannidis, F. Etherington and P. Singh. Motion LOST. Councillor D. Glenn-Graham advised he had given notice that he would introduce a motion this date regarding a request for Council’s support for a civic learning contest being run by the Kitchener Citizen newspaper. Councillor Glenn-Graham explained that the Kitchener Citizen is planning on running a contest whereby youth ages 10-12 are to submit an essay on creating an ideal city and the winners would be chosen by members of Council. The eleven winners would then be invited to hold a mock Council meeting in the City’s Council Chamber prior to a televised meeting of Council in 2013. He added that there is no cost to the City and the councillor’s involvement is voluntary. Councillor B. Vrbanovic advised that staff have been working with Compass Kitchener and /or the Rotary Club on a similar project involving youth in learning about civics and cautioned that the proposed contest may overlap. He added that the committee and staff may have spent a lot of time on their projects, therefore, it would be prudent to discuss the contest with Compass Kitchener and staff to see how it may be incorporated with any other initiatives coming forward. Mr. M. Hildebrand, Director, Community Programs, advised that Compass Kitchener has suggested a mock Council meeting for youths; however, the proposed contest appears to have more details worked out. He also pointed out that with the age of the youths involved, it may be difficult to hold a mock meeting in the evening or outside of the school. Concern was also raised as to Rogers TV being in agreement to televise the mock meeting and it was suggested that they be contacted. Councillor Y. Fernandes raised a concern regarding timing of the contest and time required to contact the parties. She added that this is simply about writing an essay. Councillor Glenn-Graham advised that the plan was to start the contest mid-October therefore a delay of one week shouldn’t prove to be an issue. Moved by Councillor D. Glenn-Graham Seconded by Councillor Y. Fernandes “That Council support a civic learning contest to be run in the Kitchener Citizen for children aged 10-12 by allowing the eleven winners to hold a half hour debate in Council Chambers at 7pm on a night in 2013 that a council meeting is televised.” Councillor B. Ioannidis suggested it may be prudent to defer consideration of the motion for one week to allow time to inform Compass Kitchener of the proposed contest and to ascertain if it would pose a problem with any similar initiative being developed by that committee. Moved by Councilor B. Ioannidis Seconded by Councillor D. Glenn-Graham be deferred to the October 1, 2012 meeting of “That consideration of the following motion City Council to provide staff the opportunity to discuss the proposed civic learning contest with Compass Kitchener and ascertain if there would be an overlap with a similar initiative proposed by the Committee: “That Council support a civic learning contest to be run in the Kitchener Citizen for children aged 10-12 by allowing the eleven winners to hold a half hour debate in Council Chambers at 7pm on a night in 2013 that a council meeting is televised.” Carried. Council then considered Community Services Department report CSD-12-138, dated September 24, 2012, regarding required repairs to the Forest Heights Pool. Mr. M. Hildebrand advised that when the Forest Heights Pool was closed for maintenance, it was found that the entire drainage system was in need of extensive repairs and therefore it was recommended that the drainage system be replaced at an estimated cost of $37,000.-$45,000. Mr. Hildebrand further advised that Acapulco Pools has been on-site since a leak was detected and by not having to go through the process required under the Purchasing By-law for three quotes, it is being recommended that the contract be awarded to Acapulco Pools in order to save time and costs. SPECIAL COUNCIL MINUTES SEPTEMBER 24, 2012 - 230-CITY OF KITCHENER In answer to questions raised by Councillor J. Gazzola, Mr. Hildebrand advised that if the City proceeds with obtaining three quotes this will delay the opening of the pool by approximately three th weeks. This will cause the cancellation of the aquatics program set to start October 9 resulting in $133,000. in refunds. He further advised that staff, knowledgeable in pool maintenance and repairs has reviewed the quote from Acapulco Pools and based on past repairs, it is staffs’ opinion that the quote is reasonable. Moved by Councillor K. Galloway Seconded by Councillor B. Ioannidis “That the requirement under Chapter 170 of the Municipal Code (Purchasing) for formal quotations be waived with respect to repairs required to the Forest Heights Pool; and further, That the contract to make repairs to the Forest Heights Pool be awarded to Acapulco Pools, at a cost not to exceed $45,000 plus HST.” Carried Unanimously on a recorded vote. Moved by Councillor K. Galloway Seconded by Councillor B. Vrbanovic “That an in-camera meeting of City Council be held this date to consider a labour relations matter and a matter subject to solicitor/client privilege involving a land disposition matter. Carried. The meeting was recessed at 2:58 p.m. and reconvened at 7:15 p.m., chaired by Mayor C. Zehr with all members present. Moved by Councillor B. Ioannidis Seconded by Councillor Y. Fernandes “That leave be given the Mover and Seconder to introduce a by-law to confirm all actions and proceedings of the Council and that the same be taken as read a first, second and third times, be finally passed and numbered 2012-130 by the Clerk.” Carried. On motion the meeting adjourned at 7:16 p.m. MAYOR CLERK