HomeMy WebLinkAboutCRPS-09-144 - Council Code of Conduct Amendment - Kit HousingREPORT
REPORT TO:
Chair B. Vrbanovic and Members of the Finance & Corporate
Services Committee
DATE OF MEETING:
October 26, 2009
SUBMITTED BY:
R. Gosse, Director of Legislated Services/City Clerk
PREPARED BY:
R. Gosse ext. 2801
WARD(S) INVOLVED:
n/a
DATE OF REPORT: October 19, 2009
REPORT NO.: CRPS-09-144
SUBJECT:
COUNCIL CODE OF CONDUCT AMENDMENT
RECOMMENDATION:
That Council Policy I-05 (Code of Conduct for Members of Council, Local Boards and
Advisory Committees) be amended by removing Kitchener Housing Inc. under Part 1
Definitions “Local Board”.
BACKGROUND:
It has come to staff’s attention that there is an error in the Code of Conduct in that, Kitchener
Housing Inc., is not to be included as a ‘local board’ therefore not subject to the Code.
REPORT:
Section 223.2 (1) of the Municipal Act authorizes a municipality to establish codes of conduct for
members of council and local boards. Within that part of the Act, a definition of a local board is
given as “a local board other than….” and specific boards are listed such as Police Services and
Public Library boards.
When the Code of Conduct was being developed in 2008, staff reviewed the Municipal Act to
ensure all applicable boards were included and therefore, subject to the Code. At that time,
there was no evidence not to include Kitchener Housing Inc. however, recently it had come to
staff’s attention that under section 23 (3) of the Social Housing Reform Act, it clearly states that
a local housing corporation is not a local board of a municipality. That being the case, Kitchener
Housing Inc. should be removed from the City’s Code of Conduct.
It should be noted that in light of this information regarding Kitchener Housing Inc. not being a
local board of the City; that Section 239 of the Municipal Act regarding meetings of the board
being open to the public, also does not apply. Reference to the board on the City’s web site in
this regard, has already been removed.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
n/a
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COMMUNICATIONS:
Should Council approve the proposed amendment to the Code of Conduct, the City’s web site
will be updated accordingly and a copy of this report sent to the City’s integrity commissioner.
ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Troy Speck, General Manager of Corporate Services
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