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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-05-12 FINANCE AND CORPORATE SERVICES COMMITTEE MAY 12, 2014 CITY OF KITCHENER The Finance and Corporate Services Committee met this date commencing at 12:32 p.m. Present: Councillor S. Davey-Chair Mayor C. Zehr and Councillors F. Etherington, Y. Fernandes, K. Galloway-Sealock, J. Gazzola, D. Glenn-Graham, B. loannidis, Z. Janecki, P. Singh and B.Vrbanovic. Staff: J. Willmer, Chief Administrative Officer D. Chapman, Deputy CAO, Finance &Corporate Services P. Houston, Deputy CAO, Infrastructure Services M. May, Deputy CAO, Community Services L. MacDonald, Director, Legal Services and City Solicitor C. Tarling, Director, Legislated Services &City Clerk L. Johnston, Director, Corporate Communications & Marketing C. Goodeve, Manager, Council/Committee Services & Deputy City Clerk D. McCabe, Chief of Staff, Office of the Mayor and Council E. Mogck,Associate City Solicitor D. Saunderson, Committee Administrator 1. FCS-14-056 - 2014 MUNICIPAL ELECTION -ADVANCE VOTE HOURS/DATES AND ELECTION DAY VOTING FOR INSTITUTIONS AND RETIREMENT HOMES The Committee considered Finance and Corporate Services Department report FCS-14-056, dated April 28, 2014 regarding the locations proposed for advanced voting and the hours of use for institutions/retirement homes for the 2014 Municipal Election. On motion by Councillor B. loannidis- it was resolved: "That pursuant to Section 43 (1) of the Municipal Elections Act, advance voting, as outlined in Finance and Corporate Services Department report FCS-14-056, be held on the following dates and times: Wednesday, October 15,2014 2:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.; Thursday, October 16, 2014 2:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.; Friday, October 17, 2014 2:00 p.m. -8:00 p.m.; and, Saturday, October 18, 2014 9:00 a.m. -3:00 p.m.; and further, That pursuant to Section 46 (3) of the Municipal Elections Act, the hours for voting on Election Day at Institutions - Retirement Homes (shown in Appendix "A") be set at a minimum of four hours." 2. CAO-14-025 - REVIEW OF COUNCIL POLICY 1-442 (FLAG POLICY) The Committee considered Chief Administrator's Office report CAO-14-025, dated April 17, 2014 recommending that existing Council Policy 1-442 (Flag Policy) be maintained. Ms. D. McCabe presented the report and responded to questions from the Committee. Ms. L. MacDonald, Ms. E. Mogck and Mr. C. Goodeve were in attendance to respond to questions from the Committee. Councillor Y. Fernandes entered the meeting at this time. Mr. Jim Parrott addressed the Committee in opposition to maintaining the existing Flag Policy. He circulated information material highlighting several other municipalities in Ontario that have flown the Rainbow Flag in support of Pride Week. He indicated that the City's current Policy is restrictive and does not currently permit flying flags in support of various special events or groups. He encouraged the City to amend the Policy to include a notwithstanding clause that would permit flying flags to recognize events or activities sponsored or supported by the City. He further advised that the City of Waterloo and the Region of Waterloo have similar notwithstanding clauses and suggested that consideration be given to adopting a similar clause within the City's Flag Policy. Councillor Z. Janecki entered the meeting at this time. FINANCE AND CORPORATE SERVICES COMMITTEE MAY 12. 2014 -43 - CITY OF KITCHENER 2. CAO-14-025 - REVIEW OF COUNCIL POLICY 1-442 (FLAG POLICY) (CONT'D) Ms. Jessica del Rosso, Ms. Sarah March, Ms. Terre Chartrand and Mr. Alex Chunaco addressed the Committee in opposition to maintaining the existing Council Policy regarding flags. In addition, they also encouraged the inclusion of a notwithstanding clause that would permit the City to fly flags related to City sponsored or supported events. In response to questions, Ms. McCabe advised that she is unable to confirm what flags the City of Waterloo permits under the notwithstanding clause within their Flag Policy. She noted advised that, under Section 3 of the City of Waterloo's Flag policy, it states that the flags of service clubs or other special interest groups are not allowed to be flown on any City of Waterloo flagpole. A motion was brought forward by Councillor F. Etherington to establish a community flagpole outside of City Hall as well as amending Council Policy I-442 (Flag Policy) to allow groups financially sponsored and supported by the City to fly their flag on a municipal flagpole. Councillor B. Vrbanovic brought forward a motion to refer Councillor F. Etherington's motion to the May 26, 2014 Council meeting to allow time for research to be completed on the procedures utilized by other large urban municipalities for flying non-governmental flags. Councillor B. Vrbanovic's referral motion was then voted on and LOST on a recorded vote, with Mayor C. Zehr and Councillors B. Vrbanovic, F. Etherington, K. Galloway-Sealock and P. Singh voting in favour; and, Councillors B. Ioannidis, D. Glenn-Graham, J. Gazzola, S. Davey, Y, Fernandes and Z. Janecki voting in opposition. Councillor F. Etherington's motion was then voted on and LOST on a recorded vote, with Councillors D. Glenn-Graham, F. Etherington in favour; and, Mayor C. Zehr and Councillors B. Vrbanovic, K. Galloway-Sealock, P. Singh, B. Ioannidis, J. Gazzola, S. Davey, Y, Fernandes and Z. Janecki voting in opposition. Questions were raised as to the potential for further consideration to be given to this matter; Mr. Goodeve advised that any member of Council could propose a new motion prior to Wednesday, May 21, 2014, to meet the notice requirement within the Procedural By-law for inclusion on the May 26, 2014 Council agenda. 3. ADJOURNMENT On motion, this meeting adjourned at 2:23 p.m. D. Saunderson Committee Administrator