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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCtee of the Whole - 1996-03-25CW\1996-03-25 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES MARCH 25, 1996CITY OF KITCHENER The Committee of the Whole held a special meeting at 3:12 p.m. this date which was Chaired by Mayor R. Christy with all members present except Councillor John Smola who entered the meeting shortly after its commencement. Officials Present: Ms. V. Gibaut and Messrs T. McKay, R.W. Pritchard, T. Clancy, D. Paterson, J. Hancock, T. McCabe, J. Shivas and L.W. Neil. Mayor R. Christy advised that the purpose of the meeting was to further discuss Local Governance issues pertaining to the Regional Municipality of Waterloo with the objective of developing a City of Kitchener position on these issues which could then be conveyed to Regional Council. The issues identified for discussion dealt with: a)the size of Regional Council - should the size decrease, remain the same or increase b)method of election to Regional Council - direct - indirect c)method of election for Regional Chair - direct, at large election by voters within the Region - by Regional Council from within its membership - by Regional Council from anywhere Councillor K. Redman advised that for information purposes she had circulated a copy of a report from the Township of Wilmot prepared for the Regional Review Steering Committee on Municipal Government Reform. Councillor Redman indicated that it was her hope that Kitchener's view on changes to Local Governance could be documented at least in a broad context and conveyed to the Steering Committee. Councillor John Smola entered the meeting at this point. Members of Council presented their individual views and reasoning with respect to the merits of each of the above issues. A related matter involving the structure of Regional Council was raised as to whether representation should be strictly on a representation by population basis or linked to geographic municipal structure. It was suggested that a decision must be made on the model of Regional Government that Kitchener supports, whether it be a federation model, a community based model or a combination of both. If a federation model is chosen, then there must be at least one representative from each federation member notwithstanding population criteria. The matter of direct and indirect election to Regional Council was discussed at length. Generally Council favoured this being left to the discretion of the local Council as to how its Regional Council representatives would be chosen. Also, it was suggested all of the local Mayors automatically be appointed to Regional Council but not be eligible for election to the Regional Chair position. The question of less government was raised in terms of the public perception of whether it also equated to fewer politicians and the amount of money spent on political governance. It was suggested that the quality of Regional representation was more important to the public than how representatives were elected to Regional Council. As well, it was noted that functional improvements to the Region's Committee system would improve the quality of representation and political decision making provided by Regional Councillors. Following the presentation of the personal views of all Members of Council, there was general consensus on the need for a smaller Regional Council reflecting a federation model of representation, but modified on the basis of population and general consensus on the election of the Regional Chair from within the Members of Regional Council with the Regional Chair continuing to represent the municipality from which the Chair was elected to Regional Council. Councillor K. Redman suggested that the Region be informed that Kitchener Council was divided on the issue of direct election versus indirect election to Regional Council but that Kitchener Council was of the view that under the indirect election method, each Area Municipality have autonomy to decide how its Regional Councillors would be chosen. A motion by Councillor Jake Smola supporting directly elected separate City and Regional Councillors COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES MARCH 25, 1996- 12 -CITY OF KITCHENER was deferred on motion by Councillor T. Galloway and referred to the Finance and Administration Committee for consideration of a position paper to be prepared by Mr. T. McKay, CAO, reflecting the pros and cons of the views expressed at the meeting this date and the general consensus of Members of Council to the issues that were tabled for discussion. Members of Council made it clear that they would not be bound by the Kitchener position paper on this issue and that when the matter was dealt with by the Region, they as Regional Councillors would be free to make a decision on these governance issues. On motion the meeting adjourned at 5:10 p.m.