HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Minutes - 1998-03-30 SCOUNCIL\1998-03-30-SPE
MARCH 30, 1998
SPECIAL COUNCIL MINUTES
CITY OF KITCHENER
A special meeting of City Council was held at 4:45 p.m. this date and Chaired by Mayor C. Zehr with the
following members present: Councillors Jake Smola, John Smola, J. Haalboom, C. Weylie, T. Galloway,
G. Lorentz and K. Taylor-Harrison. Councillors J. Ziegler and B. Vrbanovic were in attendance for part of
the meeting.
Notice of this special meeting had previously been given to all members of Council by the City Clerk
pursuant to Chapter 25 (Council Procedure) of the Municipal Code.
Council was in receipt of a report from R.W. Pritchard, dated February 17, 1998 in response to Finance
and Administration Committee direction to investigate the feasibility of a run-off election following the
regular municipal election to select Kitchener's Regional Council representatives. They were also in
receipt of an addition report dated March 30, 1998 outlining new provisions in the draft Municipal Act
relative to Regional Council representation.
Council was also in receipt of correspondence concerning the Province's municipal referendum proposal,
as well as a summary of municipal election results from 1969 to 1997 outlining any referenda held in
those years and the subject matter.
Mr.R.W. Pritchard spoke to his March 30 report noting that Sections 207 and 208 of the draft Municipal
Act provide an additional alternative to selecting Regional representatives in that it makes provision for
appointment of these representatives from among the elected lower-tier Councils. Mr. Pritchard stressed
that whichever course of action is chosen by Council, it is important to enact a by-law in this regard by the
end of 1999 so as to allow the new system of representation to be used in the year 2000 election.
Councillor T. Galloway questioned whether the City could apply for special legislation to allow it to
conduct a run-off election for Regional representatives, and Mr. R.W. Pritchard suggested that this is not
a recommended option. Mr. J. Shivas added that he had spoken with legal staff of the Ministry of
Municipal Affairs, who indicated that they were not in favour of a run-off election due to the cost, possible
confusion among the electorate, and eligibility problems which could result in a challenge under the
Charter of Rights. Councillor Galloway also suggested that a secondary ballot could be issued on
election day, the primary ballot containing the names of candidates running only for municipal Wards and
a separate all-Ward ballot for Regional representatives. Mr. Pritchard pointed out that winning a Ward
seat would have to be a condition of becoming a Regional representative, as there would almost certainly
be candidates who would win a seat on the Regional ballot, but be unsuccessful at the Ward level. He
also referred to a section in the draft of the new Municipal Act which prohibits a candidate's name from
appearing on more than one ballot.
Councillors J. Ziegler and B. Vrbanovic entered the meeting at this time.
Councillor C. Weylie suggested that it would be appropriate to first consider the course allowed under the
new Municipal Act whereby Kitchener would continue, subject to the appropriate approvals, to appoint its
representatives to the upper-tier. Mr. R.W. Pritchard noted that this option could not be pursued until the
new Municipal Act becomes law, and added that staff will bring comments forward in early May
concerning all aspects of the new Municipal Act. Councillor Jake Smola suggested that further options
should be developed, and asked that consideration be given to a six Ward System and a twelve member
Council, whereby six Council members would sit as Ward representatives alone and the remaining six
would run at-large and sit on both Kitchener and Regional Councils. He noted that this system is similar
to the current arrangement in Cambridge and Waterloo.
Moved by Councillor J. Ziegler
Seconded by Councillor G. Lorentz
"That a staff committee be struck to further investigate the applicability of Sections 207 and 208 of
the draft of the new Municipal Act, and to develop two to three additional options for the selection
of Kitchener representatives on Regional Council, including a six Ward system with a twelve
member Council."
Carried.
Mayor C. Zehr advised that Council would consider the material circulated this date in regard to the
proposed Provincial referendum legislation at the regular Council meeting later this date.
MARCH 30, 1998
SPECIAL COUNCIL M/NIXPES
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CITY OF KITCHENER
Moved by Councillor J. Ziegler
Seconded by Councillor K. Taylor-Harrison
"That an in-camera meeting of City Council be held immediately following this special meeting to
consider two labour relations matters and one matter subject to solicitor-client privilege."
Carried.
On motion the meeting adjourned at 5:15 p.m.
MAYOR CLERK