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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil - 2013-06-17 S6y,xy Fill WK9111LIN10khIIki Lei 9�1 JUNE 17, 2013 CITY OF KITCHENER A special meeting of City Council was held at 6:03 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. Council considered a recommendation arising from the Community and Infrastructure Services Committee meeting held earlier this date, regarding a request for an exemption to Council Policy 1- 995 (Commercial Parking Lots and Interim Commercial Parking Lots) for 122 Weber Street West. Moved by Councillor K. Gal loway-Sea lock Seconded by Councillor B. loannidis "That exemptions to Council Policy 1 -995 - Commercial Parking Lots and Interim Commercial Parking Lots be approved with respect to 122 Weber Street West as follows: • To allow an interim parking lot design on the subject property whereas the policy limits interim designs only within the Downtown Zones; and, • To allow such interim design for a maximum of five years whereas the policy provides a maximum duration of three years; and further, • To waive the requirement for a full, permanent design whereas the policy requires this submission to be part of the site plan approval." Carried. Councillor K. Galloway - Sealock had previously given Notice of Motion that she would introduce the following motion requesting the Government of Ontario to clarify the language in the Municipal Act, 2001, with respect to maternity and parental leave for members of municipal Council. Councillor J. Gazzola questioned the necessity of Councillor Galloway- Sealock's motion, noting that section 259.(1) (c) of the Municipal Act, 2001, empowers Council to extend a member's leave of absence beyond the prescribed three months. Moved by Councillor K. Gal loway-Sea lock Seconded by Councillor B. loannidis "WHEREAS the Municipal Act, 2001 sets out the authorities and governs the actions of members of municipal councils; and, WHEREAS the Municipal Act, 2001 is the legislative responsibility of the Government of the Province of Ontario; and, WHEREAS the language contained in the Municipal Act, 2001 is very broad when dealing with absence or vacancies; and, WHEREAS section 259.(1) (Vacant Seat) of the Municipal Act, 2001 states: "The office of a member of council of a municipality becomes vacant if the member, (c) is absent from meetings of council for three successive months without being authorized to do so by a resolution of council;" and, WHEREAS the Municipal Act, 2001 does not contain any specific language with regards to maternity or parental leave for members of council; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Government of Ontario be requested to add a provision to the Municipal Act, 2001 to provide a clearer understanding of the legislative parameters for members of council with respect to maternity and parental leave; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that correspondence be circulated to the Premier of Ontario, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing and all local Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs), to request that a provision be added to the Municipal Act, 2001 to clarify maternity and parental leave for members of council; and, SPECIAL COUNCIL MINUTES JUNE 17, 2013 -150- CITY OF KITCHENER BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that correspondence on this matter be circulated to all local area municipalities, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) to encourage them to make similar requests to the Government of Ontario in support of clarifying the language of the Municipal Act, 2001 regarding maternity and parental leave." A recorded vote was requested. In Favour: Mayor C. Zehr and Councillors S. Davey, B. Vrbanovic, J. Gazzola, Y. Fernandes, K. Galloway - Sealock, B. loannidis, F. Etherington, D. Glenn - Graham and P. Singh Contra: Councillor Z. Janecki Motion Carried. Moved by Councillor K. Gal loway-Sea lock Seconded by Councillor F. Etherington "That an in- camera meeting of City Council be held immediately following this special meeting to consider a land acquisition / disposition matter and a matter subject to solicitor - client privilege." Carried. On motion the meeting adjourned at 6:09 p.m. MAYOR CLERK