Mayor Lou Maieron has raised a concern about council’s discussion on Dec. 20 on the water main extension from 114 and 115 Trafalgar Road South to Mill Street.
Reviewing the minutes on Jan. 10, Maieron said, “I appreciate the clerk putting down points from the discussion.”
While he said that under the Municipal Act the minutes should be recorded, without note or comment, “perhaps that is a discussion council should have. But I appreciate when you do this because, as you review them, it prompts your thinking and your memory. It’s useful.”
He added that in this particular set of minutes, he believes there were two things that came up on the opposite side regarding proceeding with the hookup.
He then referred to the bullet point. “How is this different than mandatory hookup. It’s a new service line whereas the other required hookup to existing lines. While this is true, I believe that about two-thirds the way through the conversation as mayor I tried to provide some direction being once we made that decision for the 109, contrary to our official plan, the county official plan and provincial policy statements, in essence we created our own policy.”
He said once the bylaw is passed, those living in the improvement area would have no recourse as compared to the 109 homes that are not being required to hook-up – always had the opportunity of triggering the hook-up through their own actions. I think that is significant. They would have to go for a building application. That whole discussion is missing from the minutes.”
He added, “It is vital or critical that be reflected, because I had the feeling that council was considering passing the recommendation.”
Because of the points brought up, Maieron said during the discussion councillor John Brennan amended the motion to read “consider” to provide an opportunity to speak to those affected.
The area improvement bylaw was not passed at that time, and that the bylaw would be considered in the first quarter of this year, Maeiron said.
“The press reflected on them, and they are not in the minutes.”
He asked council’s indulgence to work with the clerk to include that information into amended minutes.
Councillor Barb Tocher stated a preference not to pass the Dec. 20 minutes without a chance to see the amendments being considered – “rather than passing amendments I haven’t seen.”
Maieron agreed.
He said he just wanted the minutes to reflect the discussion and I think that part was integral to the discussion.
