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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-11-07General Government Committee Minutes November 7, 2016 - 1 - Minutes of a meeting of the General Government Committee held on Monday, November 7, 2016 at 9:30 AM in the Council Chambers. Present Were: Mayor A. Foster, Councillor S. Cooke, Councillor R. Hooper, Councillor J. Neal, Councillor C. Traill, Councillor W. Woo Regrets: Councillor W. Partner Staff Present: C. Clifford, A. Allison, S. Brake, T. Cannella, C. Carr, J. Caruana, B. Hesson, M. Marano, A. Greentree, J. Gallagher, M. Chambers 1 Call to Order Mayor Foster called the meeting to order at 9:30 AM. 2 New Business – Introduction Councillor Neal added a New Business item, regarding Mechanical Fitness Reports for Emergency Services Vehicles, to the New Business – Consideration section of the agenda. Suspend the Rules Resolution #GG-529-16 Moved by Councillor Cooke, seconded by Councillor Hooper That the Rules of Procedure be suspended. Carried Resolution #GG-530-16 Moved by Councillor Cooke, seconded by Councillor Hooper That the delegation of Justin Di Ciano, regarding Report CLD-034-16, Municipal Elections - Ranked Ballot Elections, be added to the Agenda as Item 7.3. Carried General Government Committee Minutes November 7, 2016 - 2 - 3 Adopt the Agenda Resolution #GG-531-16 Moved by Councillor Woo, seconded by Councillor Traill That the Agenda for the November 7, 2016 General Government Committee meeting, be adopted as presented, with the addition of the following New Business item: Mechanical Fitness Reports for Emergency Services Vehicles Carried 4 Declaration of Interest There were no declarations of interest stated at this meeting. 5 Announcements Members of Council announced upcoming community events and matters of community interest. 6 Adoption of Minutes of Previous Meeting Resolution #GG-532-16 Moved by Councillor Hooper, seconded by Councillor Cooke That the minutes of the regular meeting of the General Government Committee meeting held on October 17, 2016, be approved. Carried 7 Delegations 7.1 Rod and Rhonda MacDonald Regarding the Lakebreeze Townhomes located at 300-330 Lakebreeze Drive, Newcastle Rod and Rhonda MacDonald were present regarding the Lakebreeze Townhomes located at 300-330 Lakebreeze Drive, Newcastle. They made a verbal presentation to accompany an electronic presentation and a handout. Mr. MacDonald advised the Committee that there were a number of the Lakebreeze Drive condo owners present in the audience. He provided details on the current situation of the townhomes and explained that when these 12 townhomes were built they did not have adequate sewage services. Mr. MacDonald explained that currently these 12 townhomes have sewage ejector pumps and he provided details on these. He advised that a condo corporation was created to manage the ejector pumps. Mr. MacDonald added that the condo General Government Committee Minutes November 7, 2016 - 3 - corporation have incurred start-up costs and additional costs of approximately $9000 per year. He added that there will also be shut-down costs associated with the dissolution of the condominium corporation. Mr. MacDonald advised that the Committee that the issue of the ongoing costs will be resolved once the new water and sewage treatment plant has been constructed. He continued by noting they are also concerned with the timeline for the completion of the water and sewage treatment system, lowering of the property values, the strong odour from the unsealed manhole and the loss of sewage service during a power outage. Resolution #GG-533-16 Moved by Councillor Neal, seconded by Councillor Woo That the delegation Rod and Rhonda MacDonald be extended for an additional two minutes. Carried Mr. MacDonald concluded by asking for this capital project be prioritized in the 2017 Budget, for a $1000 per townhome per year reduction in property taxes, and for the Municipality to cover the condominium corporation wind up costs. He offered to answer any questions from the Committee. Resolution #GG-534-16 Moved by Councillor Woo, seconded by Councillor Traill Whereas the Region of Durham has tentatively scheduled construction of their water treatment plant and associated pumping station that will service 300 Lakebreeze Drive to 330 Lakebreeze Drive, Newcastle, for the year 2018 pending Regional Council budget approval; Now therefore be it resolved that the Municipality of Clarington request that the construction schedule of their water treatment plant and associated pumping station be advanced to 2017 in the interest of eliminating the temporary ejector pump system for 300 Lakebreeze Drive to 330 Lakebreeze Drive. Carried 7.2 Trish McAuliffe, Durham Health Coalition, Regarding a Proposed Integration of Ajax Pickering Hospital with Lakeridge Health Trish McAuliffe, Durham Health Coalition was present regarding the proposed integration of Ajax Pickering Hospital with Lakeridge Health. Ms. McAuliffe advised the Committee that Sarah Labelle, Board Director, Durham Health Coalition, was also present for the delegation. Ms. McAuliffe provided background information and an overview of the members of the Durham Health Coalition. She explained that they are a non-partisan, non-profit, public interest activist coalition and that there primary goal is to improve the public health care system. Ms. McAuliffe advised the Committee that they are here to express their concerns with the potential integration of Ajax-Pickering General Government Committee Minutes November 7, 2016 - 4 - Hospital with Lakeridge Health. She added that their goal is to protect public health care and defend the interests of the residents in the Region of Durham. Ms. Labelle explained that they are very concerned with the proposed integration and noted that the estimated cost for this plan is extremely high at approximately 18.2 million dollars. She added that the estimated savings for this integration is approximately $300,000 per year. Ms. Labelle advised the Committee that an expert panel was establish by the Ministry and it was by invitation only. She added the comments that were provided at this meeting were not identified in the expert panel report that was released. Ms. Labelle stated that a deadline was originally set for November 1, 2016 for the integration which was subsequently moved to December 1, 2016 to allow for a 30 day timeframe for consultation. She continued by adding that their concerns were raised at the September 26th Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) meeting. Ms. Labelle expressed that they are very concerned that all consultation have been by invite only and they are trying to relay their message and educate the residents of the Region of Durham. She advised that 50 million dollars coming out of the health care budget will greatly impact the level of service provided to the public. Ms. Labelle noted that the amalgamation in the 1990’s resulted in many lost beds in both Port Hope and Bowmanville hospitals. She summarized their concerns which included a loss of services and beds as a result of the absorption the costs for the integrations. Ms. Labelle concluded by stating that they feel this is a bad deal and are asking for the support of Council. Ms. McAuliffe concluded that they have had a successful campaign and noted that the Town of Ajax passed a resolution to protect their hospital. She asked for Council to pass a resolution to consider the impacts of this potential integration. Ms. McAuliffe and Ms. Labelle answered questions from the Committee. Resolution #GG-535-16 Moved by Councillor Hooper, seconded by Councillor Traill That Lakeridge Health be invited to attend a future Committee or Council meeting to answer proposed questions on the proposed integration of Ajax-Pickering Hospital and Lakeridge Health. Carried Recess Resolution #GG-536-16 Moved by Councillor Hooper, seconded by Councillor Neal That the Committee recess for 10 minutes. Carried The meeting reconvened at 11:10 AM with Mayor Foster in the Chair. General Government Committee Minutes November 7, 2016 - 5 - 7.3 Justin Di Ciano Regarding Report CLD-034-16, Municipal Elections - Ranked Ballot Elections Justin Di Ciano, City Councillor Ward 5, Etobicoke-Lakeshore, was present regarding report CLD-034-16, Municipal Elections - Ranked Ballot Elections. He made a verbal presentation to accompany a handout. Mr. Di Ciano advised the Committee that Richard Ciano, Director, Keep Voting Simple, was also present for the delegation. He continued by thanking the Committee for allowing him to address the recent changes to the Municipal Act as a result of Bill 181. Mr. Di Ciano stated that efficient and effective municipal elections are critical to our local democracies and any changes should build on the success of electoral process and the right to vote. Mr. Di Ciano provided some background information on Bill 181 and explained that this will allow municipalities to use ranked choice voting in the 2018 municipal election. He explained that a review was done of the 9 municipalities that use ranked voting in North America and noted that there are many shortcomings. Mr. Di Ciano stated that ranked ballots do not guarantee a majority result and it remains a plurality system. He added that, in first-past-the-post, all ballots are counted, but in ranked voting, only continuing ballots are counted. Mr. Di Ciano explained how ballots are exhausted in ranked ballot voting. He illustrated the shortcomings of ranked voting by using the 2010 San Francisco District 10 municipal election and noted that 53% of ballots were eliminated as part of the ranked ballot process. He concluded by stating he feels ranked ballot elections will result in lower voter turnout, increased election costs, increased elections training, and long wait times for election results. Mr. Di Ciano and Mr. Ciano answered questions from the Committee. Alter the Agenda Resolution #GG-537-16 Moved by Councillor Cooke seconded by Councillor Hooper That the Agenda be altered to consider Report CLD-034-16, Municipal Elections – Ranked Ballot Elections, at this time. Carried 15.2 CLD-034-16 Municipal Elections - Ranked Ballot Elections Resolution #GG-538-16 Moved by Councillor Woo, seconded by Councillor Hooper That Report CLD-034-16 be received; That the Municipality of Clarington maintain the existing first-past-the-post election model for the 2018 Municipal Elections; and That Staff review this position prior to the 2022 Municipal Elections. Carried as Amended (See following motion) General Government Committee Minutes November 7, 2016 - 6 - Resolution #GG-539-16 Moved by Councillor Neal, seconded by Councillor Cooke That the foregoing Resolution #GG-538-16 be amended by deleting the third paragraph that states the following: “That Staff review this position prior to the 2022 Municipal Elections.” Carried The foregoing Resolution #GG-538-16 was then put to a vote and carried as amended on the following recorded vote: Council Member Yes No Declaration of Interest Absent Councillor Traill X Councillor Woo X Councillor Cooke X Councillor Hooper X Councillor Neal X Councillor Partner X Mayor Foster X 8 Communications - Receive for Information 8.1 Minutes of the Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority dated October 18, 2016 8.2 Minutes of the Tyrone Community Centre dated October 19, 2016 8.3 Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority 2017 Preliminary Budget 8.4 Debi A. Wilcox, Regional Clerk/Director of Legislative Services, The Regional Municipality of Durham – Durham Region’s Response to Metrolinx’s Paper Entitled “Discussion Paper for the Next Region Transportation Plan, Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area” – Environmental Bill of Rights Registry No. 012- 8405 (2016-COW-35) Resolution #GG-540-16 Moved by Councillor Neal, seconded by Councillor Woo That the Communication Items 8.1 to 8.4 be received for information. Carried General Government Committee Minutes November 7, 2016 - 7 - 9 Communications – Direction 9.1 Alexander Harras, Manager of Legislative Services/Deputy Clerk, Town of Ajax – Durham Regional Transit and Seniors Residences Resolution #GG-541-16 Moved by Councillor Woo, seconded by Councillor Traill That Communication Item 9.1 from Alexander Harras, Manager of Legislative Services/Deputy Clerk, Town of Ajax regarding Durham Regional Transit and Seniors Residences, be referred to the Durham Region Transit Executive Committee to provide comments. Carried 9.2 Tara Mieske, Clerk/Planning Manager, Township of North Frontenac – Request for Support for Ontario’s Electrical Bills Resolution #GG-542-16 Moved by Councillor Neal, seconded by Councillor Cooke That Communication Item 9.2 from Tara Mieske, Clerk/Planning Manager, Township of North Frontenac regarding a request for support for Ontario’s Electrical Bills, be received for information. Carried 9.3 Jill Hughes, Director, Transportation Policy Branch, Ministry of Transportation - Public Consultation on Cycling Program Resolution #GG-543-16 Moved by Councillor Hooper, seconded by Councillor Neal That Communication Item 9.3 from Jill Hughes, Director, Transportation Policy Branch, Ministry of Transportation regarding public consultation on Cycling Program be referred to Staff. Carried 10 Presentations No Presentations 11 Engineering Services Department No Reports for this section of the Agenda. General Government Committee Minutes November 7, 2016 - 8 - 12 Operations Department No Reports for this section of the Agenda. Councillor Cooke chaired this portion of the meeting. 13 Emergency and Fire Services Department 13.1 ESD-004-16 Emergency Services Activity Report – 2nd Quarter of 2016 Resolution #GG-544-16 Moved by Mayor Foster, seconded by Councillor Neal That Report ESD-004-16 be received for information. Carried Councillor Hooper chaired this portion of the meeting. 14 Community Services Department 14.1 CSD-015-16 2017 Community Event Sponsorship Requests – Fall Intake Resolution #GG-545-16 Moved by Mayor Foster, seconded by Councillor Neal That Report CSD-015-16 be received; That Sponsorship Application #S17-01 from the Clarington Minor Atom AAA Hockey Team, be approved in the amount of $1500.00; That Sponsorship Application #S17-02 from the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario – Clarington Branch, be approved in the amount of $2000.00; That Sponsorship Application #S17-03 from the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Clarington, be approved in the amount of $2000.00; That Sponsorship Application #S17-04 from the Green Gaels Lacrosse Club, be approved in the amount of $2000.00; That Sponsorship Application #S17-05 from the In the Face of An Angel – Golf Tournament, be approved in the amount of $2000.00; and That all interested parties listed in Report CSD-015-16 and any delegations be advised of Council’s decision. Carried General Government Committee Minutes November 7, 2016 - 9 - Councillor Traill chaired this portion of the meeting. 15 Municipal Clerk’s Department 15.1 CLD-032-16 Changes to the Municipal Elections Act Resolution #GG-546-16 Moved by Councillor Neal, seconded by Councillor Hooper That Report CLD-032-16 be received; and That all interested parties, and any delegations, be advised of Council's decision. Carried Later in the meeting See following motion Suspend the Rules Resolution #GG-547-16 Moved by Councillor Neal, seconded by Mayor Foster That the Rules of Procedure be suspended to allow the Committee to extend the meeting until 12:15 PM. Carried The foregoing Resolution #GG-546-16 was then put to a vote and carried. 15.2 CLD-034-16 Municipal Elections - Ranked Ballot Elections Report CLD-034-16, Municipal Elections - Ranked Ballot Elections was considered earlier in the meeting during the delegation portion of the agenda. Mayor Foster chaired this portion of the meeting. 16 Corporate Services Department No Reports for this section of the Agenda. General Government Committee Minutes November 7, 2016 - 10 - 17 Finance Department 17.1 FND-016-16 Bowmanville Museum Process Review Resolution #GG-548-16 Moved by Councillor Woo, seconded by Councillor Cooke That Report FND-016-16 be received for information. Carried as Amended See following motion Resolution #GG-549-16 Moved by Councillor Traill, seconded by Councillor Neal That the foregoing Resolution #GG-548-16 be amended by adding the following to the end: “That Staff be directed to provide further details regarding the particulars of the finances discussed in this report.” Carried The foregoing Resolution #GG-548-16 was then put to a vote and carried as amended. Recess The Committee recessed at 12:15 PM for their one hour scheduled break as per the Procedural By-law. The meeting reconvened at 1:00 PM with Mayor Foster in the Chair. Councillor Hooper returned at 1:02 PM. Councillor Woo returned at 1:03 PM. 18 Solicitor’s Department No Reports for this section of the Agenda. 19 Chief Administrative Office No Reports for this section of the Agenda. General Government Committee Minutes November 7, 2016 - 11 - 20 New Business – Consideration 20.1 Highway 407 Phase 2A Extension Resolution #GG-550-16 Moved by Councillor Cooke, seconded by Councillor Neal Whereas Council approved, on April 29, 2013, Resolution #GPA-249-13, stating “That, in the interest of public safety, the Municipality, request the Province provide their assurance that should there be larger traffic impacts than estimated by the Ministry’s traffic impact study that the Ministry take necessary corrective action to mitigate the Municipality’s public safety concerns and assume all liability for any related incidents”; and Whereas there has been a significant increase in traffic on Taunton Road, resulting from the opening of Phase 1 of the Hwy. 407 east extension; and Whereas local area residents have expressed considerable concern with existing traffic volumes on Trulls Road at current levels even before the opening of the Phase 1 extension; and Whereas it is anticipated that traffic volumes will increase further as a result of the opening of the Hwy. 407, Enfield Road Interchange with the Phase 2A extension to be completed in late 2017; Now therefore be it resolved that Clarington Council amend Resolution #GPA-249-13 such that Clarington staff be directed to meet with staff from the Ministry of Transportation to review these concerns related to the anticipated increase in traffic volumes on Trulls Road as a result of the opening of the Enfield Road Interchange as part of the Phase 2A extension of Hwy. 407. Carried 20.2 Celebrate Agriculture, 2017 Legacy Project Resolution #GG-551-16 Moved by Councillor Woo, seconded by Councillor Traill Whereas Canada is celebrating 150 years as a country in 2017 and has asked all communities to consider special projects to commemorate this important milestone; and Whereas the Celebrate Agriculture Committee, a subcommittee of Durham Farm Connections and the Durham Federation of Agriculture, has an educational mandate to continually promote the celebration of our Agricultural achievements on an Annual basis as well as promote the further education of the general public on the importance of the Agricultural economy to our local economy as well as the provincial and national economies; and General Government Committee Minutes November 7, 2016 - 12 - Whereas the Celebrate Agriculture Committee has identified a project for 2017 that will put the spotlight on our Agricultural Accomplishments in this Region as a whole and the impact those accomplishments have had and continue to have on the Nation; and Whereas agriculture is an industry as old as Confederation itself and continues to provide jobs and sustainability for our environment as well as food security for our residents; and Whereas in Durham many of our community museums and libraries are joining in helping celebrate this important industry but unfortunately there is no permanent place in a prominent location central to all communities to showcase Durham’s accomplishments in this industry; and Whereas our agricultural leadership in Durham has been second to none including The Massey family in Newcastle village, the Tyrone farmer with a small winter hobby that became General Motors of Canada, a world-renowned race horse born and raised in Oshawa, one of the first counties to form a 4-H Leadership Association, 7 Annual Fairs of which 6 are older than Confederation and combined have an annual attendance of approx. 75,000 residents and tourists and Durham is the second original founding community for the Federated Women’s Institutes of Canada and the world; Now therefore be it resolved: That the Council of the Municipality of Clarington assist in this significant legacy project by allocating space in their Municipal Offices for a temporary Heritage agricultural exhibit in 2017 as well as a permanent location for a Plaque commemorating the Pioneer Farm Families of Durham (Families that have farmed in Canada for 150 years and now farm in Durham); That the Council submit to the Region of Durham and all municipal Councils in Durham a request to support this project and a permanent Agricultural Wall of Fame in a prominent Durham Region location to Showcase our Heritage Accomplishments from 1867-Modern Times. Carried 20.3 Mechanical Fitness Reports for Emergency Services Vehicles Resolution #GG-552-16 Moved by Councillor Neal, seconded by Councillor Hooper That Staff be directed to obtain mechanical fitness reports on the 2003 Pumper 15 and the 2007 Pumper 11, prior to finalization of the 2017 Budget. Carried