Last Council meeting of 2021... only a couple bright points, constant rushing, did someone have a plane to catch?
BELOW see highlights of 10 matters voted on, which either passed, were amended, referred, tabled, or did not pass
BELOW see highlights of 10 matters voted on, which either passed, were amended, referred, tabled, or did not pass
The meeting, which started at 9:30 a.m., ended around 1:00 pm. (approx. 3 and 1/2 hours, one of the shortest Council meetings this term)
When the Mayor called the vote to adjourn the meeting I voted No -which was simply a protest vote to indicate my dissatisfaction with what occurred moments before. I had been trying to ask the Mayor a procedural question. The last items on the Agenda were three Notices of Motion- one from Councillor Gray, two from me. Council members don't get to speak to Notices of Motion when they are first added to a Council Agenda. The Mayor simply directs which future meeting they will be referred to. However I did not hear where the Mayor was directing mine. He seemed to say all-3-in-one-breath-and-motion-to-adjourn.
When I asked him to repeat what he'd said, his admonishment to me to listen better and not interrupt the Chair imo was a surprise. I had a question about withdrawing my last Notice of Motion on the Agenda because I did not see it appropriate going to the Development Services Committee.
Imo my Notice of Motion re the matter of Chartwell’s Phase 3 project at 1231 Ormond Dr. not having the Ritson Rd. right turn access that Council required two years ago should go to the January Council meeting. But I wasn't going to challenge the Mayor on that even if I could...I was just thinking it best to withdraw my Notice of Motion, as there was another option open to address this matter. But from the Mayor’s reaction you would think I was misbehaving when I attempted to ask.
See details below on the votes for the 10 matters I listed in chart above:
1. LAKEVIEW PARK EXTENDED HOURS:
The motion made by Councillor Gray at last Monday's Community Services meeting to extend Lakeview Park hours to midnight was on the agenda. I made a motion,, seconded by Councillor Hurst, to alter the Park open time to 10:00 p.m. INSTEAD OF MIDNIGHT. It seemed reasonable and logical as that is the time all parks are open in the summer. So it would be less confusing. But wow, you'd think I came in on a broomstick with the reaction of one Ward Councillor. The vote against the 10:00 p.m. time failed 8-3.
Another councillor moved an amendment to add that the entry into Lake Ontario ends at 6:00 pm. to comply with advice from the Insurance Pool, since there were individuals who wrote Council how much they enjoy NIGHT SURFING on Lake Ontario from Lakeview Park.
The amended motion passed so Lakeview Park is now open until midnight as a pilot project this winter and sometime in 2022 there will be a report back to Council.
2. CHANGING THE CITY FLOWER FROM A ROSE TO PEONY
This motion, also made at last Monday's Community Services meeting was referred back for public consultation. The rose was made Oshawa’s flower in 1953…it is on the Mayor’s chain of office and the City flag (which was designed and approved in 1974) has two circles of rose petals.
Oshawa has a beautiful peonies in the botanical garden beside the Children’s Arena, with over 300 varieties…but contrary to what some may want to claim, it is not near the largest. There is one in south central Ontario with over 1,200 varieties of peonies on 22 acres.
3. REDO OF COLUMBUS COMMUNITY MEETING DUE TO LACK OF ACCESSIBILITY
The Mayor said the motion calling for a replacement PIC #4 meeting required a 2/3rds reconsideration vote.
I challenged the Mayor's ruling that needed the 2/3rds vote because a PIC #4 meeting had taken place, but the motion being voted on was for a replacement, more accessible meeting due to the poor internet connectivity.
The challenge of the Chair failed 2-9...which was unfortunate because moments later the vote could have passed with a simple majority. Here's how it played out in the second wonky vote round:
the vote tally for Reconsideration at first was called by the Clerk as 7 in favour - 3 against, which would have been 2/3rds saying YES to the Reconsideration.
But Councillor Marimpietri sent into the chat to the Clerk his late vote, which she then counted so it became 7 YES and 4 NO, which meant there will be NO REPLACEMENT MEETING.
The four Council members who voted against and thereby quashed the chance of having a replacement Columbus PIC #4 meeting that would have ensured public engagement in an accountable and transparent manner were:
BOB CHAPMAN,
BRADLEY MARKS,
BRIAN NICHOLSON
TITO-DANTE MARIMPIETRI
4. THE ANAEROBIC DIGESTER FACILILTY AT 1515 THORNTON RD. APPROVED BY THE MINISTERY OF THE ENVIRONMENT
The Clerk had earlier placed the correspondence from the Ministry of the Environment concerning the approval of the 1515 Thornton Rd. anaerobic digester on the Information Package. I pulled the correspondence to be on the Development Services Committee meeting. It struck me as unusual how the Committee and Commissioner seemed reluctant to discuss the matter. (The webstream of the Nov 29th Committee meeting concerning this matter begins at the 1:22 minute mark: https://pub-oshawa.escribemeetings.com/Players/ISIStandAlonePlayer.aspx?ClientId=oshawa&FileName=Council%20Encoder_DSC_PA_2021-11-29-01-30.mp4
Ultimately the vote at Committee was to receive it for information. I had been unable to make a motion as the Chair had handed the meeting over to me to Chair (the Chair can't make motions) and when I asked another member to take the Chair so I could make a motion, there were no takers.
As DS-21-232 was on yesterday's Council Agenda I made the motion below to address my and Oshawa residents’ concerns,:
Motion to refer DS-21-232 to staff to report back on the following:
5. IMPROVE COMPLETION TIME OF CITY PARKS AND TRAILS
Unfortunately imo this matter had one of the more regrettable votes this month. The report which was on the Nov 29th Agenda, included Developers' input on the completion of City Parks and trails, but no input from the public or Council members. A motion I seconded to refer this back to staff was close 5-6
Voting against were Chapman, Giberson, Kerr, Marimpietri, Marks and the Mayor.
I would like to thank Councillors Neal, Nicholson, Gray, Hurst who voted with me to seek improvement of the process for park and trail completion.
To the imo totally unsatisfactory parts 1 and 2 of the Report recommendation that the current park development process status quo be maintained, Councillor Hurst moved a part 3 amendment: that staff inform Council on the status of new and in-fill park development. There was some small consolation that the vote on this part 3 amendment passed.
6. ADD MAIL-IN VOTING TO THE 2022 MUNICIPAL ELECTION
This request came from the School Board and required a reconsideration of the motion made by the Mayor last year not to have electronic voting. The reconsideration passed and during the questions about implementing MAIL-IN voting estimated to cost $46,500 (based on 5% of eligible voters requesting vote-by-mail to be funded from the Elections Reserve) I asked if there was still time to add phone in voting too. The Mayor objected to me trying to refer this for more due diligence.
Council fully supported seeing the election voting method made more accessible. So, now come October 2022 Oshawa voters will be able to mail in their ballots.
7. THE CITY OF OSHAWA SUBMISSION FOR A NEW DURHAM HOSPITAL TO BE LOCATED IN OSHAWA.
The motion was to approve a special meeting to be held in January to have a discussion on the criteria and the City's submission.
I attempted to have the submission made public prior to the meeting (after all it was paid for by taxpayers) and having public support imo is key to ensuring what is going on is a fair and open process. I've said it before, I have not agreed with the Mayor wanting to keep his cards close to his chest. When you have the best site, I believe you shout it from the roof tops and market it widely!
Copied below is a motion I submitted:
"The Capital Hill Group Ottawa Inc. submission to Lakeridge Health Expert Panel for a proposed New Hospital in Durham Region be added to the City’s website prior to the end of this year in order for transparency and public support for the special meeting scheduled for Jan 2022."
But it never got to a vote. I believe Councillor Neal was trying to hit his unmute button but the Mayor said: lost for lack of a seconder, and quickly called the vote on the main motion to approve the January meeting. This is important to Oshawa therefore PUBLIC SUPPORT and outcry about what has happened could help turn this around!
8. MAKE POWERPOINT SLIDES AVAILABLE ON THE CITY WEBSITE PRIOR TO PLANNING ACT PUBLIC MEETINGS
This was the one of my 3 Notices of Motion from last month on yesterday's Agenda. Pleased that it was passed by a 10-1 vote
9. HYBRID IN-PERSON AND VIRTUAL COUNCIL MEETINGS TO BEGIN FORTHWITH
I have attempted to have a return to live Council meetings since the Premier increased room capacity in October.
But Council voted to table my motion 7-4
Those voting to put this off into the future -to follow Durham Region, which is now saying it likely won't be meeting give the elected the opportunity to meet live until April, 2022
were Chapman, Giberson, Gray, Kerr, Marimpietri, Marks and Mayor Carter.
Those voting to resume in-person meetings with the option to join virtually were: McConkey, Hurst, Neal and Nicholson
10. OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE A REFERENDUM QUESTION ON THE 2022 MUNICIPAL ELECTION BALLOT
Surprised there was no uptake on this - only Councillor Neal and I voted yes.
When the Mayor called the vote to adjourn the meeting I voted No -which was simply a protest vote to indicate my dissatisfaction with what occurred moments before. I had been trying to ask the Mayor a procedural question. The last items on the Agenda were three Notices of Motion- one from Councillor Gray, two from me. Council members don't get to speak to Notices of Motion when they are first added to a Council Agenda. The Mayor simply directs which future meeting they will be referred to. However I did not hear where the Mayor was directing mine. He seemed to say all-3-in-one-breath-and-motion-to-adjourn.
When I asked him to repeat what he'd said, his admonishment to me to listen better and not interrupt the Chair imo was a surprise. I had a question about withdrawing my last Notice of Motion on the Agenda because I did not see it appropriate going to the Development Services Committee.
Imo my Notice of Motion re the matter of Chartwell’s Phase 3 project at 1231 Ormond Dr. not having the Ritson Rd. right turn access that Council required two years ago should go to the January Council meeting. But I wasn't going to challenge the Mayor on that even if I could...I was just thinking it best to withdraw my Notice of Motion, as there was another option open to address this matter. But from the Mayor’s reaction you would think I was misbehaving when I attempted to ask.
See details below on the votes for the 10 matters I listed in chart above:
1. LAKEVIEW PARK EXTENDED HOURS:
The motion made by Councillor Gray at last Monday's Community Services meeting to extend Lakeview Park hours to midnight was on the agenda. I made a motion,, seconded by Councillor Hurst, to alter the Park open time to 10:00 p.m. INSTEAD OF MIDNIGHT. It seemed reasonable and logical as that is the time all parks are open in the summer. So it would be less confusing. But wow, you'd think I came in on a broomstick with the reaction of one Ward Councillor. The vote against the 10:00 p.m. time failed 8-3.
Another councillor moved an amendment to add that the entry into Lake Ontario ends at 6:00 pm. to comply with advice from the Insurance Pool, since there were individuals who wrote Council how much they enjoy NIGHT SURFING on Lake Ontario from Lakeview Park.
The amended motion passed so Lakeview Park is now open until midnight as a pilot project this winter and sometime in 2022 there will be a report back to Council.
2. CHANGING THE CITY FLOWER FROM A ROSE TO PEONY
This motion, also made at last Monday's Community Services meeting was referred back for public consultation. The rose was made Oshawa’s flower in 1953…it is on the Mayor’s chain of office and the City flag (which was designed and approved in 1974) has two circles of rose petals.
Oshawa has a beautiful peonies in the botanical garden beside the Children’s Arena, with over 300 varieties…but contrary to what some may want to claim, it is not near the largest. There is one in south central Ontario with over 1,200 varieties of peonies on 22 acres.
3. REDO OF COLUMBUS COMMUNITY MEETING DUE TO LACK OF ACCESSIBILITY
The Mayor said the motion calling for a replacement PIC #4 meeting required a 2/3rds reconsideration vote.
I challenged the Mayor's ruling that needed the 2/3rds vote because a PIC #4 meeting had taken place, but the motion being voted on was for a replacement, more accessible meeting due to the poor internet connectivity.
The challenge of the Chair failed 2-9...which was unfortunate because moments later the vote could have passed with a simple majority. Here's how it played out in the second wonky vote round:
the vote tally for Reconsideration at first was called by the Clerk as 7 in favour - 3 against, which would have been 2/3rds saying YES to the Reconsideration.
But Councillor Marimpietri sent into the chat to the Clerk his late vote, which she then counted so it became 7 YES and 4 NO, which meant there will be NO REPLACEMENT MEETING.
The four Council members who voted against and thereby quashed the chance of having a replacement Columbus PIC #4 meeting that would have ensured public engagement in an accountable and transparent manner were:
BOB CHAPMAN,
BRADLEY MARKS,
BRIAN NICHOLSON
TITO-DANTE MARIMPIETRI
4. THE ANAEROBIC DIGESTER FACILILTY AT 1515 THORNTON RD. APPROVED BY THE MINISTERY OF THE ENVIRONMENT
The Clerk had earlier placed the correspondence from the Ministry of the Environment concerning the approval of the 1515 Thornton Rd. anaerobic digester on the Information Package. I pulled the correspondence to be on the Development Services Committee meeting. It struck me as unusual how the Committee and Commissioner seemed reluctant to discuss the matter. (The webstream of the Nov 29th Committee meeting concerning this matter begins at the 1:22 minute mark: https://pub-oshawa.escribemeetings.com/Players/ISIStandAlonePlayer.aspx?ClientId=oshawa&FileName=Council%20Encoder_DSC_PA_2021-11-29-01-30.mp4
Ultimately the vote at Committee was to receive it for information. I had been unable to make a motion as the Chair had handed the meeting over to me to Chair (the Chair can't make motions) and when I asked another member to take the Chair so I could make a motion, there were no takers.
As DS-21-232 was on yesterday's Council Agenda I made the motion below to address my and Oshawa residents’ concerns,:
Motion to refer DS-21-232 to staff to report back on the following:
- the determination of the difference between the materials accepted by the Evergreen private anaerobic digester at 1515 Thornton Rd N named in the correspondence and what is accepted at the Region’s digester and whether the City can enforce restrictions on the materials;
- whether the City can designate truck routes to and from the anaerobic digester; and
- to investigate the operational linkage between the 1515 Thornton Rd N anaerobic digester and the other Oshawa properties under the control of Evergreen in the Oak Ridges moraine.
5. IMPROVE COMPLETION TIME OF CITY PARKS AND TRAILS
Unfortunately imo this matter had one of the more regrettable votes this month. The report which was on the Nov 29th Agenda, included Developers' input on the completion of City Parks and trails, but no input from the public or Council members. A motion I seconded to refer this back to staff was close 5-6
Voting against were Chapman, Giberson, Kerr, Marimpietri, Marks and the Mayor.
I would like to thank Councillors Neal, Nicholson, Gray, Hurst who voted with me to seek improvement of the process for park and trail completion.
To the imo totally unsatisfactory parts 1 and 2 of the Report recommendation that the current park development process status quo be maintained, Councillor Hurst moved a part 3 amendment: that staff inform Council on the status of new and in-fill park development. There was some small consolation that the vote on this part 3 amendment passed.
6. ADD MAIL-IN VOTING TO THE 2022 MUNICIPAL ELECTION
This request came from the School Board and required a reconsideration of the motion made by the Mayor last year not to have electronic voting. The reconsideration passed and during the questions about implementing MAIL-IN voting estimated to cost $46,500 (based on 5% of eligible voters requesting vote-by-mail to be funded from the Elections Reserve) I asked if there was still time to add phone in voting too. The Mayor objected to me trying to refer this for more due diligence.
Council fully supported seeing the election voting method made more accessible. So, now come October 2022 Oshawa voters will be able to mail in their ballots.
7. THE CITY OF OSHAWA SUBMISSION FOR A NEW DURHAM HOSPITAL TO BE LOCATED IN OSHAWA.
The motion was to approve a special meeting to be held in January to have a discussion on the criteria and the City's submission.
I attempted to have the submission made public prior to the meeting (after all it was paid for by taxpayers) and having public support imo is key to ensuring what is going on is a fair and open process. I've said it before, I have not agreed with the Mayor wanting to keep his cards close to his chest. When you have the best site, I believe you shout it from the roof tops and market it widely!
Copied below is a motion I submitted:
"The Capital Hill Group Ottawa Inc. submission to Lakeridge Health Expert Panel for a proposed New Hospital in Durham Region be added to the City’s website prior to the end of this year in order for transparency and public support for the special meeting scheduled for Jan 2022."
But it never got to a vote. I believe Councillor Neal was trying to hit his unmute button but the Mayor said: lost for lack of a seconder, and quickly called the vote on the main motion to approve the January meeting. This is important to Oshawa therefore PUBLIC SUPPORT and outcry about what has happened could help turn this around!
8. MAKE POWERPOINT SLIDES AVAILABLE ON THE CITY WEBSITE PRIOR TO PLANNING ACT PUBLIC MEETINGS
This was the one of my 3 Notices of Motion from last month on yesterday's Agenda. Pleased that it was passed by a 10-1 vote
9. HYBRID IN-PERSON AND VIRTUAL COUNCIL MEETINGS TO BEGIN FORTHWITH
I have attempted to have a return to live Council meetings since the Premier increased room capacity in October.
But Council voted to table my motion 7-4
Those voting to put this off into the future -to follow Durham Region, which is now saying it likely won't be meeting give the elected the opportunity to meet live until April, 2022
were Chapman, Giberson, Gray, Kerr, Marimpietri, Marks and Mayor Carter.
Those voting to resume in-person meetings with the option to join virtually were: McConkey, Hurst, Neal and Nicholson
10. OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE A REFERENDUM QUESTION ON THE 2022 MUNICIPAL ELECTION BALLOT
Surprised there was no uptake on this - only Councillor Neal and I voted yes.