**Deputy Mayor DiPasquale was absent tonight.**
Tonight, we seemed to have a “distracted councilling” issue, since one councillor seemed to spend the better part of the evening texting (or playing video games? ) on his cell phone…..What steps will need to be put in place to ensure council members are doing what they’re paid to do and that’s pay attention in the meetings??? I don’t know……suggestions anyone??
Council had met in camera at 3:30 to discuss :
ITEM A – Management Salary Administration Program – Section 239(2)(d) –
Labour relations or employee negotiations.
When I arrived, shortly before 6:00, nobody was in the council chambers, just a few members of the public. Around 6:00 staff and council members started to trickle in and the meeting started (the public portion) around 6:12. Mayor DiCarlo said we would be doing something a bit different this time and singing the national anthem in honour of Canada 150.
National Anthem Video Compilation – Group Recognition, General
Amherst High School
While we sang the national anthem, we watched a beautiful video prepared by some students from General Amherst. When the song and video were over the Mayor thanked them, however, there was nobody there to represent the group. I believe council will be sending them a thank you note to recognise their efforts.
Stephen Brown, Chief Building Official (CBO) – Retirement Recognition
Mr Brown will be retiring as the Chief Building Official after many years of service to the town of Amherstburg. Someone from, I think, Human Resources gave a beautiful speech outlining his long and successful career. It was also duly noted that Mr Brown had donated the value of his retirement gift to a band (I didn’t catch the name) to play at the Belle Vue next year. Wow! Very impressive! Thank you! Mr Brown spoke briefly of how much Amherstburg has changed since the beginning of his career and thanked the support staff, council and administration for their hard work during his tenure.
The Mayor quickly went out of order to item 24.1, to appoint a Chief building official and Inspector. He made a joke that it had to be done quickly before Mr Brown left the building. CAO Miceli introduced Mr Angelo Avolio who will be heading up the position as Chief building official and Inspector. It seems he has worked in a similar capacity for the town of LaSalle for 20 years and he was warmly welcomed to Amherstburg.
Delegations that were not on the agenda
Councillor Fryer asked to waive the rules of order and council agreed to allow Ms Shelley Boulton to speak as a delegation. Ms Boulton had some concerns about a building going up near her property and she stated that neither she, nor the other neighbours were notified. It seems the area is zoned agricultural and she felt the area was becoming commercial without her knowledge. She had concerns about drainage, property values and felt that her property was being threatened without her having any prior knowledge or notification.
Then the floodgates opened. Councillor Pouget asked about the type of building going up and then asked Ms Belanger, the town planner if this conformed with the site plan since there was no information provided. Mr Galvin, Director of Engineering and Legislative Services stated that administration has a meeting scheduled with Ms Boulton on Wednesday to look into her concerns and questions. Councillor Pouget wanted a full report provided to council once the investigation was complete. (Yes, this is real, very real……can you imagine if administration had to bring a report back a full report to council each time a resident had concerns or questions regarding their property???? seems like the wheels would just keep on turning…..) Anyway, Mr Galvin politely explained that there are so many building permits issued that there is not typically a report given to council about them. He said that generally, individual matters are not reported to council. (Can you imagine…..the agenda is 400 pages now and I’m not even sure if all of the councillors read it…..can you imagine if they had to report each little thing to council??? The agenda could easily hit 1000+ pages!!!! phew! ) The CAO stated that there was a “stop work” ordered and the wheels are in motion for an investigation. He said they would simply be ensuring the property owner complies but no report. Councillor Lavigne made a motion to receive the delegation. (Hint, hint, council……let’s move on….at least that’s what I think he was hinting at.) However, Councillor Fryer did not take the hint. He then questioned when and why are neighbours notified or not notified about site plan controls. This went back and forth for a few minutes, then finally, the delegation was received and that was it. Administration will do what they have to do and every one can move on.
Another delegation not on the agenda
Councillor Fryer once again asked to waive the rules of order to allow the Rotary Club to speak and council agreed. Carl Gibb and Lena Lesanga spoke. Ms Lesanga was requesting to have the fees waived for the up coming Rib Fest event. She said they had been waived in the past and that they had simply forgotten to come before council to ask for the same this year. She said the fees totaled around $1,500. She pointed out that the Rotary Club is a charitable organisation and has done many things to support Amherstburg. Councillor Fryer made a motion to waive the fees. Councillor Meloche then seconded the motion but said he has a problem waiving the equipment fees, since those fees help to cover the cost of the equipment repairs and replacement. Councillor Fryer seemed a bit angry about this and felt all fees should be waived, period. Once again, the back and forth started up. Councillor Pouget wasn’t sure if Councillor Meloche had rescinded his second or not. Finally, after much confusion, it was accepted that the motion was still on the floor and Councillor Meloche’s second was still in tact. The clerk pointed out that the fees were actually $2,035. It went to a non-recorded vote (but old eagle eyed local blogger watched the vote)……in support to waive the fees were Councillors Fryer, Courtney and Meloche, so the motion carried.
2017 Water and Wastewater Budget
There is a proposed water rate increase for 2017 recommended to be 2%. Also, there is a proposed wastewater rate increase for 2017 that is recommended to be 1%. Councillor Meloche was the only one with questions, mostly to do with the timing of this budget item, but nobody else said a word. The motion carried very quickly, so up go the water rates Amherstburg! Hold on to your wallets!
Amending Development Agreement for 7781 Howard Ave, Timberwolf
Trading Inc.
This is what I wrote in my pre-blog : “It looks like Timberwolf wants to add a dry storage building on their property. It appears they have ERCA approval and also that the Accessibility Committee sees no issues with this. I would have to guess this will be voted through quickly.”
WRONG. Councillor Pouget questioned (quite at length, in my humble opinion) the dates in the report. It seems sometimes it said October 26th 2009 and other times October 29th 2009. There were page numbers being cited, dates being highlighted and by-law numbers being read. (I was waiting for a lawyer to step in with opening arguments to present to the jury……) Administration assured Councillor Pouget that it would all be okay and they would circle back and make the (minor?) corrections.
After the “i”s were dotted and the “t”s crossed the agreement passed.
2017 Special Events Approval
There are 4 events seeking approval from council and several need extra approvals, i.e. road closures or other. Here they are:
- Holiday Extravaganza Vendor Show – November 12, 2017
- Downtown Holiday Night – November 17, 2017
- Ignite the Night – November 18, 2017
- Amherstburg Santa Claus Parade – November 25, 2017
Three of the four events require road closures. Previous groups have gone before council and were treated like they were asking for the moon for some road closures. Tonight, you ask???? Not a question, not a peep, no discussion. Boom and done! Road closures granted.
One event required use of the Kings Navy Yard Park to show an outdoor movie. Again, previous groups have wanted to use the park for yoga or religious celebrations and whoa Nelly! Council had concerns, questions, speeches, admonitions, more concerns, it never ended! Tonight you ask???? Not a question, not a peep, no discussion. Boom and done! Use of Kings Navy Yard Park for an outdoor movie granted.
Don’t get me wrong, I think these events should have been approved and I’m glad they were. I was just shocked at the huge double standard that exists when it comes to groups asking for waivers from council. I guess council must really like the organisers of these events???
Temporary Extension for Liquor Sales and Extended Road Closures for
the ‘Canuck it Up!’ Event
The Beacon Ale House and the Artisan Grill are looking to extend their patios during the “Canuck it Up!” event this summer on August 5th and 6th. They were granted permission for this without any discussion or concern. Awesome! See you there!
INFORMATION REPORTS
There was a lot of discussion about the various information reports. Councillor Meloche had several questions about the investment report and the 1st Quarter Variance Report. One councillor did not seem to share the same concerns, since he seemed to spend most of his time texting (either that or looking at something fascinating on his lap?) Councillor Pouget spoke a bit about the Spay and Neuter program as well as the internet speed. Once again, another councillor must have been having some great texting conversation. As far as the internet speed goes, the CAO said they’ll be moving forward with trying to find solutions with fibre throughout the town and through the various providers. (I’m no expert on this, don’t want to butcher the technical talk…..) Councillor Pouget asked about the possibilities of grants, while another councillor continued to text away. (I guess his internet speed is just fine.) At this point, the phone was out in the open on top of the desk for all to see. I won’t lie, the discussion went on and on and wasn’t the most fascinating, however, aren’t members of council paid to be at the meeting? If they’re being paid, should they really be texting while sitting in the meeting?
CONSENT CORRESPONDENCE
29th Annual Essex Region Conservation Golf Tournament Fundraiser
Councillor Fryer perked up for this one. He wants council and administration to put together a foursome to participate in this golf tournament fundraiser. Tickets are $175 per person. He said all of the money raised will be going to the trails. (I guess $100,000 wasn’t enough?) So, the motion carried to send four people to golf at this event. Bear in mind, the town will reimburse each player the $175, so it is our tax money heading off to the ERCA trails once again. Councillor Fryer said he and his wife plan on attending, so they will not be part of the foursome.
Unfinished business
During this portion of the meeting, any member of council can bring up any issues that haven’t been dealt with. Councillor Pouget asked what had happened to the library funds since there was a lengthy strike. Council had inquired about having the funds reimbursed. The Mayor said that he and the Deputy Mayor had asked for the reimbursement (as well as one other municipality), however the county decided to reallocate the money to reserves and they would not be returning it. ( Not sure why they wouldn’t have given the excess funds to ERCA? …LOL) The Mayor said there’s nothing we could do, it was voted on and passed, therefore the money remains with the county. Councillor Pouget seemed pretty upset about this and even inquired if we may have legal recourse. She felt the residents had paid a significant amount of money in taxes and received zero in services. Councillor Lavigne felt we had been ripped off. The Mayor handled it all with grace and humour and said it was discussed if the funds were to be reimbursed, would it be to the municipality or the individual residents? He said in the end the county decided to keep the money and put it in reserves.
Okay, I’m going to do a little parallel for council on this one, since I know they read my blog…..the way council felt about the county keeping the money and doing what they wanted with it, is how the residents of Amherstburg (most of us) feel about council keeping our overpaid tax money and giving it to the ERCA Foundation. Same thing, guys, in my opinion. Get off your high horses, the county just did to you what you did to us. Just sayin’.
Also under new business
Councillor Fryer asked administration to direct the Fire Chief to make a fire pit by-law for the next meeting, July 10th. Councillor Pouget seconded it for discussion, however, later rescinded her second since she’s against open fires. Anyway, after more back and forth the motion passed, so we will have to wait and see what the new Fire Chief has to offer at the next meeting as a by-law for open fires.
Also, there was another lengthy discussion about by-laws that affect how surplus monies are spent or allocated. Councillor Meloche said something about that the surplus monies should be applied to the next year’s budget. Councillor Pouget seemed insulted with the “innuendo”, however, procedurally, the Mayor said it was simply discussion, not a motion. So, I’m not really sure what, if anything, will become of any future surplus money. That is, assuming we’ll have a surplus again LOL.
The meeting wrapped up at 7:25 and council made a motion to resume their in-camera meeting that they had started at 3:30, then stopped at 6:00 for the regular meeting. Man, I wonder what they could possibly have to talk about for hours like that?
As for councillor of the week? I’ll give it to every member of council who did not play with their cell phone like a bored teenager during the meeting…..you know which ones you are! 😉 Kudos to you!
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