Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil - 2005-05-16 S SPECIAL COUNCIL MINUTES MAY 16,2005 CITY OF KITCHENER A special meeting of City Council was held at 5:47 p.m. this date, Chaired by Mayor C. Zehr and with all members present except Councillor G. Lorentz. Notice of this special 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 that although not present at the in-camera meeting held on May 9, 2005, he was disclosing a pecuniary interest in regard to a land acquisition / disposition matter which was discussed during that meeting. Council considered a recommendation from Heritage Kitchener that was deferred by Council at its meeting of May 9, 2005 regarding the St. Jerome's High School building located at 120 Duke Street West, a heritage designated building, and specifically the disposition of the cross located on top of the central pavilion of the building. C. Ladd, Chief Administrative Officer, explained that the deferral was to allow Father B. Hayes of the Fathers of the Resurrection Congregation to attend and clarify the Congregation's position regarding the cross. Father B. Hayes of the Fathers of the Resurrection Congregation advised that the Church's position is clear in that the cross is important to the Church and should not remain in its present location on the St. Jerome's building. Father Hayes advised that at the Heritage Kitchener meeting he put forward the proposal that the cross be returned to the Resurrection Congregation where it would be kept in their archives. He further advised that since that time, a second option has been provided whereby St. Jerome's University, being part of the University of Waterloo campus, has offered to take the cross, restore it and have it displayed at the University giving the cross a place of honour and respect. Father Hayes then read a portion of a letter from the President of the St. Jerome's University regarding the University's offer to accept and restore the cross. In conclusion, Father Hayes stated that the Fathers of the Resurrection Congregation fully support the University's proposal. In answer to questions raised by Council, Father Hayes advised that historically St. Jerome's College and High School have been located in other buildings prior to the Duke Street building and other artifacts such as a statue have been relocated from the High School to St. Mary's Church. He further advised that the Resurrection Congregation would like to have the cross removed as it is a serious symbol of the Catholic faith and leaving it in its present location would be misleading. When asked about removing the cross from the top of the building but having it remain on site and incorporated in a display, Father Hayes questioned whether this will give the cross the same exposure as it will have at the University. Mr. Ron Dupuis representing Wilfrid Laurier University attended advising that the University's position with respect to the cross is that it be removed from the building and either returned to the Church or be incorporated in a display on the St. Jerome's site. Mr. Dupuis further advised that the University would be willing to work with the Heritage Planner and the Resurrection Congregation in developing an historic display to be located on the St. Jerome's site. Councillor C. Weylie raised a question regarding the cross as part of the designated historic building. Councillor M. Galloway advised that the Heritage Act includes the roofline and anything incorporated in the fagade as part of the architectural design of a designated building. A motion by Councillor M. Galloway, seconded by Councillor J. Gazzola, to adopt the recommendation of Heritage Kitchener whereby the cross at the St. Jerome's High School building would be removed and relocated to another site on the grounds or within the building as part of a historical display, was brought forward for consideration. Mayor C. Zehr suggested that the motion be separated and dealt with in two parts, the first being the removal of the cross from the building and, secondly, where the cross should be displayed. Councillor B. Vrbanovic commented that it is important to demonstrate respect to the Resurrection Congregation as the original owners of the building by returning the cross to them for display at the St. Jerome's University site, a catholic institution within the University of Waterloo. Councillor Galloway advised that the recommendation from Heritage Kitchener represents a compromise between the recommendation of the Heritage Planner and the wishes of the University and as such the motion should be dealt with in its entirety. Councillor J. Smola suggested and it was agreed to, that the motion not be separated and voted on as tabled. Councillor Galloway requested a recorded vote. SPECIAL COUNCIL MINUTES MAY 16,2005 - 141 - CITY OF KITCHENER Moved by Councillor M. Galloway Seconded by Councillor J. Gazzola "That the cross at 120 Duke Street West (St. Jerome's High School/College) situated on the peak of the pediment on top of the central pavilion on the south (front) elevation be relocated to another site on the grounds of the St. Jerome's property or within the building as part of a historical monument/display depicting the history of St. Jerome's." In Favour: Councillors M. Galloway and J. Gazzola Contra: Mayor C. Zehr and Councillors J. Smola, B. Vrbanovic and C. Weylie Motion Lost. A motion by Councillor B. Vrbanovic, seconded by Councillor J. Smola, to remove the cross located on the St. Jerome's High School building and return it to the Fathers of the Resurrection Congregation for eventual display at the University of St. Jerome's College and to require that a historical display be erected on the future Wilfrid Laurier University site, was tabled for Council's considerati on. G. Sosnoski, General Manager of Corporate Services & City Clerk, advised that in regard to the question whether the cross is part of the designation features of the building, there may be a requirement to amend the by-law and a possible public process therefore Council may wish to have staff investigate this matter and report back. Councillor M. Galloway advised that Heritage Kitchener has not had an opportunity to receive the new information regarding displaying the cross at the University of St. Jerome's and therefore he suggested that the motion be deferred to the Committee to allow for further comments. He further advised that with respect to the cross as part of the historical designation this could be reviewed and reported back by the Committee. Moved by Councillor M. Galloway Seconded by Councillor J. Gazzola "That the following motion be deferred and referred to the next Heritage Kitchener meeting for discussion and comment and a report back to Council at a special meeting to be held on June 13, 2005: 'That the cross at 120 Duke Street West (St. Jerome's High School/College) situated on the peak of the pediment on top of the central pavilion on the south (front) elevation be removed and returned to its original owner, the Fathers of the Resurrection Congregation, for eventual display at the University of St. Jerome's College; and further, That the Wilfrid Laurier University be required to erect a display and narrative of the history of the school at the 120 Duke Street West property, in consultation with the City's Heritage Planner and a representative of the Resurrection Congregation.'" Carried. Council considered Corporate Services Department report CRPS-05-090 (P. Harris), dated May 11, 2005, regarding an amendment to the resolution of Council adopted on April 25, 2005, granting permission for the Greek Orthodox Community of Saints Peter and Paul Church to operate a Place of Refreshment. Moved by Councillor C. Weylie Seconded by Councillor J. Smola "That the resolution adopted by Council on April 25, 2005 granting permission for the Greek Orthodox Community of Saints Peter and Paul Church Kitchener-Waterloo & District to operate a Place of Refreshment on their premises at 527 Bridgeport Road East, Kitchener, on June 11 & 12, 2005 provided the necessary licence is obtained, including Health and Fire SPECIAL COUNCIL MINUTES MAY 16,2005 - 142 - CITY OF KITCHENER approval, be amended by removing the reference 'an event of Municipal significance' and declaring the festival a 'Community Festival' for the purpose of obtaining a liquor licence." Carried. Council considered the request to enact a resolution consenting to Councillor B. Vrbanovic serving on the Board of Directors of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) and its Committees. Councillor Vrbanovic advised that the motion should be amended to include Councillor M. Galloway serving on various Committees of the FCM as in previous years. He also requested that the amendment include endorsement of his involvement with the Children's' International Summer Games and the associated costs. It was agreed to amend the request. Moved by Councillor C. Weylie Seconded by Councillor M. Galloway "That Kitchener City Council consents to Councillor B. Vrbanovic serving on the Board of Directors of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and its Committees and agrees to pay any costs associated with attendance at its meetings; and, That Kitchener City Council consents to Councillor M. Galloway serving on any Committees of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and agrees to pay any costs associated with attendance at such meetings; and further, That Kitchener City Council consents to Councillor B. Vrbanovic serving as a Council representative to the Children's' International Summer Games and agrees to pay all costs associated with this event in 2005." Carried. Council considered Chief Administrator's Office report CAO-05-013 (D. Paterson), dated May 12, 2005, recommending adjustments to fringe benefits for the General Managers, the Chief Administrative Officer and members of Council, consistent with those approved for CUPE Local 791 on May 9, 2005. Moved by Councillor M. Galloway Seconded by Councillor C. Weylie "That consistent with the fringe benefit adjustments approved by Council on May 9, 2005, for non-union and management employees, these same adjustments be made effective for General Managers, the Chief Administrative Officer and members of Council. Carried. Council considered Corporate Services Department report CRPS-05-092 (S. Turner), dated May 13, 2005, recommending an exemption to Chapter 450 (Noise) of the Municipal Code for Downtown street cleaning. Moved by Councillor J. Smola Seconded by Councillor B. Vrbanovic "That an exemption to Chapter 450 (Noise) of the City of Kitchener Municipal Code be granted to permit the Community Services Department, through an independent contractor, to undertake cleaning of streets and sidewalks in the Downtown Core between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. on various dates between May 29 and June 3, 2005." Carried. Moved by Councillor B. Vrbanovic Seconded by Councillor M. Galloway "That an in-camera meeting of City Council be held immediately following this special meeting to consider a labour relations matter, a land acquisition / disposition matter and a matter subject to solicitor-client privilege." Carried. SPECIAL COUNCIL MINUTES MAY 16,2005 - 143 - CITY OF KITCHENER Moved by Councillor C. Weylie Seconded by Councillor M. Galloway "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 2005-92 by the Clerk." Carried. On motion, the meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m. MAYOR CLERK