Well, my inner voice had lots to say tonight….I’ll share what I can, however, I can’t let that inner voice get me into trouble. Funny thing is, I think a councillor looked at me during the meeting and mouthed “stop looking at me”, but I’m not sure. Maybe he could hear my inner voice? Maybe I’m supposed to sit in the corner and face the wall instead of looking at council? I don’t know….maybe it was some weird Amherstburg coincidence? Maybe he was talking to somebody else? Maybe he mouthed “please blog about me”?
Well, who knows? I’m moving on from it….Report after report after report was requested tonight from administration. I’m not sure if it’s because council can’t make a decision on the spot or they don’t want to make a decision on the spot or they want someone or something to blame or they just need novels of information for each decision (except to hand over $100,000 of our money to ERCA of course, that can be done in 30 seconds…...) Anyway, here are the highlights:
Request to Amend Zoning By-law to Allow Chickens in Residential Areas – William Brush
Let me begin by saying every one (including me) were surprised to see that Mr Brush who was delegating about the chickens was a young boy, I would guess maybe around 12 years old. He had prepared a powerpoint presentation with his arguments about why Amherstburg should allow chickens in residential areas. He would like the by-law revised to allow the chickens. He said some communities have had success with changing the by-law (not sure which ones??). He mentioned their eggs are a healthier alternative and better tasting. He would like to have some in his back yard. (I was very impressed with the way this young man spoke and presented. Even though, well, I don’t want chickens in my backyard or in my neighbour’s back yards either…..)
Councillor Pouget congratulated him for his awesome job and asked him how close his home was to his neighbours. She told him he didn’t have to reveal his address, just needed to know how close the neighbours were. Mr Brush said that he lives in the Monopoly subdivision (the street did get named, but I’m not going to include it because he is a child). Mr Brush said he would keep his chickens in the middle of his back yard. Councillor Pouget then asked administration about the current by-law in regards to the closeness or proximity to the neighbours. Ms. Belanger from administration explained that chickens are not permitted in residential areas. There is a limit to 3 household pets with an expectation that they spend part of their time indoors…..and one would have to assume chickens, being farm animals, would not go inside the house.
Councillor Fryer then spoke up and said he agreed but yet he didn’t. He felt that chickens go inside their chicken coop for the night, which the coop may be attached to the house. He said he would be all for the amendment and that chickens should be allowed because he thinks it would be a great project for his girls. (What am I missing?? Why do so many of his comments come back to his children? I’ve never heard another councillor refer to their kids, certainly not with any regularity anyway…..I don’t get it.) Councillor Fryer hopes that administration will bring a report back and allow this to happen. (I digress, administration can recommend until the cows come home- or the chickens? – but at the end of the day, it’s all up to council, not administration.) Councillor Fryer made mention of people that have ducks on Texas Road.
Councillor Meloche had some concerns about possible predators encroaching into town. He mentioned we already have many coyotes, we’ve even had cougar sightings (and not just at Shooter’s LOL) and that it could become a safety concern. (I’ll be honest, I tend to agree with this…..has nobody ever read any children’s books? Foxes and coyotes love chicken coops just sayin’. )
Then, Ms Belanger from administration spoke again in regards to the ducks on Texas Road. It seems that there is a zoning provision in an old by-law designating Texas Road and the second concession as rural properties, which even predates amalgamation.
Councillor Fryer seemed to have an issue with this and didn’t feel that Texas Road is rural. He said something about a drain having been installed and that if it’s rural the residents need to be charged for drainage…..or something to that effect…..I’m not sure. He felt that coyotes already run around town (maybe that’s the cougars? lol) and that the hunters do a good job maintaining the coyote population. He said he has concerns with one area being designated rural and that the town should be consistent. (Inner voice screaming now…..look at our town…..we have people that live in subdivisions on lots that measure 50 X 100…..then we have people living on concession roads that measure 200 X 1000 and all kind of sizes…..how can you not say that the concession roads are rural ?? They don’t have street lights, they sit on huge lots – often are farms- yet we should all be zoned the same???)
Councillor Meloche then made a motion to receive the delegation and have administration prepare a report if having the bylaw amended is favourable for residents as a whole. Councillor Fryer asked for a timeline. Administration said probably the end of the summer. The motion carried. (Inner voice speaking again….thank you Councillor Meloche for mentioning the residents as a whole….I often feel some councillors focus only on the area where they live and sometimes seem to forget there are over 20,000 people they’re supposed to be representing, not one road or one area….quiet now, inner voice, just be quiet…..)
So, from start to finish, the chicken discussion lasted 18 minutes. Council handed over $100,000 of our over paid tax money to ERCA with no debate and it was all wrapped up in 30 seconds, yet they just discussed chickens for 18 minutes. Yep.
Request to Waive Fees for Farmers Market – Steeve Bouchard, Amherstburg Farmers Market
Like last year, Mr Bouchard was requesting to have the fees waived for the farmer’s market at the Little White Church. He also requested if there were a possibility to have the fees waived permanently to avoid having to come before council year after year and make the request. He kindly pointed out that almost all markets in the area have their fees waived.
Deputy Mayor DiPasquale was the first one with a question this time. He asked how much they were. Mr Bouchard wasn’t sure but said they were around $1,600 last year. Administration pointed out that they’re now approximately $3,000 (yikes!).
Councillor Fryer then made a motion to waive the fees in perpetuity that the market is in existence. Councillor Lavigne seconded it. Councillor Fryer felt it would save everybody time, rather than have people coming back year after year to have fees waived.
Councillor Pouget agreed but only in part. She did not agree with waiving the fees in perpetuity. She pointed out that some members of council will only be there for another year and then it will be a new council. (Quiet, inner voice, quiet!!!! No commenting!!!) She was okay with waiving them for this year.
CAO Miceli spoke and said that he wants to total up the fees that are waived as a whole to then include them in the 2018 budget. He feels that council waives fees and they need to keep track because at the end the rate payers pay it. (Inner voice….buy that man a drink! Keep talking Mr M keep talking…..I love the sound of logic…..)
Councillor Meloche said he agreed with Councillor Pouget. Councillor Meloche pointed out that council charges some and yet not others and he wasn’t in favour of lifetime waiving of fees. Councillor Fryer said that council has reconsideration all the time and they can change it or the new council can. Councillor Pouget asked for a recorded vote. (inner voice……I loooove recorded votes…..)
Councillor Lavigne then asked CAO Miceli’s opinion if it would be a problem for next administration and council. The CAO said it’s just a word, however he would like to table it all in one motion and include it in the budget to make the process more transparent and consistent. (Inner voice……I looooove the words transparent and consistent……I would love them even more if council applied them more often…...) And then, just like that Councillor Lavigne removed his second on the motion and left Councillor Fryer hanging. No one else stepped up to second Councillor Fryer’s motion.
Then, Councillor Lavigne made a motion to waive the fees for this year and for administration to report back about the fees. The motion carried. It was now 6:35…..35 minutes in and two delegations down and more to come…..
Request to Waive Fees for Garden Tour – Maxine Iller, Amherstburg Fort Malden Horticultural Society
Ms Iler was not there, however Dr Halowsky spoke on behalf of the Fort Malden Horticultural Society. He asked to have their fees waived and pointed out that they give back any money raised to the town anyway. He felt that the Horticultural Society is just an extension of the town. (Inner voice…..I wonder if they could come help me out? I’m no green thumb…..I could use some landscaping help…..I have a small dead tree that needs replacing….?) Anyway, this carried with little discussion. Afterwards, Dr Halowsky invited council for the VIP tour. He mentioned that the only one to join them last year was Mayor DiCarlo (inner voice…..that guy is at every town function….I wonder if he’s Spider Man in disguise…..how does one get all over town constantly all weekend every weekend?) and he’s hoping that the rest of council will come and enjoy the VIP tour this year.
Request to Extend Hours of Alcohol Service for Annual Ride for Dad Event – David Lauzon, President and Lena Mangoff, Board Secretary, Royal Canadian Legion, Fort Malden Branch 157
Ms Mangoff spoke and requested the street closures and the one hour extension to providing alcohol. She mentioned that this year they will also be providing breakfast and that there are many spectators, so they are not encouraging drinking and driving. (for sure…it’s 5:00 somewhere, right?) Councillor Lavigne made the motion to do it all, road closures, drinking time extension and the motion carried.
Demolition of Duffy’s Tavern and Inn – Tender Results
The tender results are in to tear down Duffy’s Tavern. The successful applicant was the Jones Group. Councillor Lavigne asked for a time frame and the CAO said 11 weeks. Councillor Lavigne then asked Mr. Tome the Deputy Fire Chief if the building could serve of any more use to the fire department since they had been using it for training. Mr Tome replied that no, they’ve pretty much done all they can in it. (Inner voice….I wonder if they found any ghosts in there? Or maybe some old left-over and forgotten perch or frog legs?) Councillor Pouget thanked administration for the specific price breakdown. Councillor Courtney had a few questions about funding and money, but it was all good. The motion carried.
It was now about 6:45
Big Creek Wetland Signs
It appears that there are to be informative signs erected in the Big Creek Wetland area. Councillor Fryer made a motion and specified where the two signs should be erected. (I’m not 100% sure of the area, don’t want to mess it up, but something about at the entrance and the second one off Fox Road I think.) Councillor Pouget then seconded the motion. Councillor Fryer then wanted to discuss the construction and materials of the soon-to-be signs. Mr Nemeth was at the meeting (he is the resident who has spearheaded this initiative) and said he’d like council to spend a little bit more money and get marine grade plywood and have the pictures sealed with epoxy or some type of sealant. The CAO said the budget is $1,600 for both signs and felt it would include marine grade plywood. (Inner voice here……Didn’t council just ban signs six months ago? Our local businesses can’t put up signs to advertise because it upsets the Communities in Bloom judges, yet we can put up great big unnatural marine-grade plywood signs covered in epoxy and sealant in an area that’s supposed to be a natural eco-system?….. I don’t know……just doesn’t add up. ) The motion passed for the signs.
Then after the motion passed Councillor Courtney made a small speech. She felt it is so rewarding when a resident comes forward with an issue and doesn’t let it go. They face it with passion and they’re like a dog with a bone. She said she was proud of Mr Nemeth. (Inner voice…..hey, what about me? I’m a resident with a passion and have sent many emails about issues…..I’d like to think I’m tenacious and haven’t let go…..been writing this blog for a year and a half……I’m looking for transparency and accountability and openness to ideas……I haven’t been thanked…..in fact, I’ve been kicked out of town hall, threatened with lawsuits, clapped at for leaving the room, possibly been told not to look at a councillor….the list goes on. Oh, well, it’s okay, maybe they’re thanking me with their inner voice?)
Sidewalk Replacement Program
It looks like administration is seeking some money ($93,000) from council to replace some of the interlock style sidewalks with cement sidewalks. Apparently, many of the interlock sidewalks were installed in the 80’s and are a tripping hazard. It looks like trip and fall claims are up in the last 3 years in the town of Amherstburg. “For the 3 year period of 2013 to 2016 the Town received a total of 8 trip and fall claims on municipal sidewalks and has paid out $10,940.99 in investigation expenses to date… The Town is also in litigation for two outstanding sidewalk trip and falls claims with damages totaling $1,450,000.”
Councillor Pouget had a few questions about why the town was replacing the brick with cement, since the bricks were originally used to create a historic feel. The CAO talked about urban design and public safety. He felt that concrete is less risky and that should it lift or heave, the town has a machine to scrape it down and make it level again. He said that the Accessibility Committee supports the replacement of the brick sidewalks with concrete. To be clear, none of the replacements include the Navy Yard Park, only town sidewalks. Councillor Fryer said he felt this was a great topic because people think they can use this against him because he was a victim. (Inner voice….bite tongue. Bite tongue harder. ) He asked if the town still has students go around and check the heights of the bricks and mark them with a GPS to identify contractor faults. Administration assured him that this process is still followed, however, the bricks can suddenly shift overnight. Councillor Fryer felt that the GPS system failed because there was an offset still there 2 or 3 years when he was hurt. Administration assured him that if an issue is identified it is taken seriously and taken care of as soon as possible.
Council Committee Appointments – Parks Advisory Committee and Recreation and Culture Advisory Committee
Council needs to appoint a member of council to the Parks Advisory Committee and the Recreation and Culture Advisory Committee. As per the report : “At its January 26th, 2015 meeting, Council appointed Councillor Courtney and Councillor Pouget to the Parks Advisory Committee for the 2014-2018 Term of Council. At the same meeting, Council also appointed Councillor Fryer and Councillor Lavigne to the Recreation and Culture Advisory Committee for the same term of Council. Since the 2015 appointments, the following Council resignations have been submitted to the Clerk:
- Councillor Fryer – Recreation and Culture Advisory Committee – resigned on October 5th, 2015
- Councillor Courtney – Parks Advisory Committee – resigned on February 14th , 2017″
It also explained in the report that it is mandated in the terms of reference that each committee have 2 members of council to sit on the committee.
Basically, council needed to appoint a councillor to the committee. Nobody stepped forward. Councillor Pouget asked how many meetings were involved and the committee meets once every two months. Councillor Lavigne mentioned that attendance is an issue and there is often not a quorum. Councillor Courtney had a prepared statement that she read. She explained that she had to resign from the Parks Committee since she teaches piano daily from 3PM – 8PM. She is unable to attend committee meetings due to her schedule and that is her primary source of income. She feels that this does not preclude her responsibilities to council or her role as a councillor.
Councillor Pouget felt that the Recreation and Culture Advisory Committee would conflict with her responsibilities with the Communities in Bloom Committee and the Parks Committee. She was afraid if she put her name forward she would not be able to do a good job. (Inner voice….had a moment here with Councillor Pouget…..we have something in common after all…..I would rather not make a commitment towards something if I can’t be all in and do it properly…..If I make a commitment, I’m all in and will do my best….like my blog, right?)
Finally, it turns out that the Clerk wants to revise the committee structures and possibly combine some committees. (Maybe there’s too many committees?) Anyway, the issue was tabled until the end of the summer.
Former Boblo Dock Update
Council has been asking many questions about the state of the former Boblo dock, that is the dock located on the “town” side, near Dalhousie Street, NOT the dock located on the island. It was discovered that the dock is owned by the federal government (Department of Fisheries and Oceans). It appears the dock will not be declared surplus at this time and the government is in the process of reviewing what to do with the old dock. Councillor Fryer felt the old dock is a great opportunity for tourism and sporting. He would like to see money set aside to make it a pier again that everyone can use and wants to see it back to it’s original form. Mayor DiCarlo reminded him that as it stands right now, there is no public access to the dock. Councillor Fryer wants the CAO to explore opportunities and he felt that this should be placed in the CAO’s lap and not be a political issue for now. CAO Miceli said he felt strongly he can negotiate something favourable with the federal government. Councillor Pouget wanted a copy of the report to go to the Parks Committee. So basically, the CAO has some work to do to see what can be done.
New Business
This section of the meeting is where councillors can bring forward any issues large or small that aren’t already on the table. There was an issue about the new car wash dryer vents and some questions about the street sweepers schedule. (Inner voice…..you rock….you stayed awake!)
Councillor Pouget mentioned about cars and drivers poor driving habits in front of Crown Ridge and Tim Horton’s. She said she observed people driving in the bike lane to get around people turning left. Also mentioned speeders and the area around Lowe’s Side Road and Highway 18. Public service announcement: If you’re driving in this area, the police will be stepping up their presence….don’t say you weren’t warned. (Inner voice…..interesting…..this is the general area where Councillor Pouget lives…..hmmmm….)
Then Councillor Fryer had to mention a concern with a piece of machinery parked on Texas Road. He’s concerned about liability, (insert chuckle here about liability) it stays parked overnight, unmarked, no signs etc. (Inner voice…..interesting…..his road comes up again…..it may be easier to count up the meetings where Texas Road was not discussed…..sadly, that may be a big fat zero, but I’m not sure…..) Anyway, administration will look into it.
The meeting finished around 7:45 and council was going in-camera (AGAIN!) to discuss :
ITEM A – Proposed Property Acquisition & Disposition – Section 239 (2)(c) – A proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land by the municipality or local board.
ITEM B – Performance Review – Section 239(2)(b) – Personal matters about an identifiable individual, including municipal or local board employees; and, Section 239(2)(f) – Advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose.
ITEM C – Investigation Results – Section 239(2)(b) – Personal matters about an identifiable individual, including municipal or local board employees.
As for councillor of the week…..that’s a tough one…..I’m going with CAO Miceli this week! Why you ask? Well, because he’s always so patient and calm and a voice of logic as he explains things over and over and over again that he already wrote in his reports…..and because council probably dumped at least another 8 reports to prepare onto his plate tonight. I know he gets well-paid to do it, but it’s nice to be appreciated sometimes isn’t it?
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