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Bill Glover's 2007 – 2010 Council record.

In standing for re-election to council in 2010, I was pleased to run on my record of initiatives and accomplishments, both as an individual and as a member of a council that had undertaken an enormous amount of positive work on your behalf. Here for your review is a list of motions that I brought forward to Council for consideration during the life of the 2007 – 2010 council.

The vast majority of business coming before council is the result of a staff report, either directly to council or through a standing committee of council. A councillor wanting to bring something forward does so through a motion. This list of my contributions to the 2007 – 2010 council’s record of working for you was compiled from a review of council and committee minutes.

For me to describe it here as a “Bill Glover initiative” I must appear on the record as having moved the appropriate motion at either a committee or at council.

These motions were each adopted by a majority vote of council, Openness and accountability in government, support of arts and culture, and enhancing the quality of life for all residents are all recurring themes. I believe this is an important part of my proven record of “Putting People First”, my campaign theme in 2006 and again in 2010. (This list does not include the many issues brought forward by others that I have supported.)

2007.

LVEC business plan review January 23: Within a week of the new Council being told at a special meeting in December, 2006 that the LVEC budget was on track, cost concerns were identified. This motion called for a review of the business plan to comment on how realistic it was. It was a step to improve accountability and transparency.

Increase in arts funding February: At the 2007 operating budget discussions, I moved that arts funding be increased to a total of $500,000. It had been a campaign commitment, and received unanimous support.

Heritage staff February: At the 2007 operating budget discussions, in response to a staff briefing about heritage staffing shortfalls, I moved that we add a position. If heritage is as important as we believe, this seemed an obvious and necessary step.

Contract reporting motion March 6: This was a move to increase accountability. It was meant to check the tendency to award a number of similar contracts of a size that did not have to be reported. The result is that Council (and the public) gets a better sense of what is happening.

Leash-free areas June 5: A motion directing staff to include in the upcoming parks and recreation master plan recommendations for establishing leash-free areas for dogs. This had been a campaign pledge. Following subsequent discussions with various interested parties, on October 25 staff brought a report forward to Arts, Recreation and Community Policies Committee recommending pilot off leash area project. This was adopted by Council on November 6. We now have five leash- free areas for dogs at Grass Creek Park, MacLean Trails Park, the Memorial Centre, Meadowbrook Park and Rotary Park.

Review Council’s procedural by-law July 10: The previous Council had adopted a by-law that severely restricted the ability of the public to speak before Council or a committee. The new procedural by-law was adopted on June 15 this year. The review, which improved public access that amongst other things, was important to increase openness.

Sydenham Heritage Conservation District July 24: When I was the chair of Sydenham Ward Tenants’ and Ratepayers’ Association, (now the Sydenham District Association), I had written a letter that initiated the process for considering the historic Sydenham Ward as a heritage conservation area. On receipt of the initial report that confirmed it was indeed most suitable, at the Heritage Committee on July 9 I moved the motion to continue the process. This recommendation was adopted by Council on July 24. The first phase report, the district study, was completed in December, 2008 and has been accepted by Council. The district plan and guidelines should be presented in 2011.

Tett Tenants August 23: As chair of the Arts, Recreation and Community Policies Committee, on August 23 I asked that a discussion of Tett tenant relocation be added to the agenda. A representative of each tenant was present, and I gave them the opportunity to speak to their particular circumstances and challenges. This discussion led to a motion that required staff to develop a plan that addressed the concerns as outlined.

Arts Advisory Committee October 16: During the election campaign there had been a huge all candidates meeting titled “Focus on Arts.” The need to establish an arts advisory committee had been clearly identified. I worked on terms of reference for such a committee, and brought the proposal to the Arts Recreation and Community Policies Committee on 23 August. Arts, Recreation and Community Policies Committee approved it on September 27 and Council adopted the ARC recommendation on October 16. The Committee began meeting early in 2008, and has provided valuable work since then.

Queen’s working group November 20: In the wake of Aberdeen Street this motion, drafted in my living room with Patrick Deane, then the Queen’s VP (Academic) along with the city’s CAO, called for the establishment of working groups to examine common problems and arrive at shared solutions. Patrick Deane has suggested that it was a turning point in the road to improvement of better communications between the city and the university.

2008.

Increased recreation programs: During the operating budget presentation, staff identified a “pressure point” of insufficient funding to meet the demand for recreation programs for youths, seniors, and persons at risk. I moved that the suggested $80,000 be added to the operation budget for enhanced programming.

Locomotive 1095 restoration: Following an i independent report which suggested the historical and cultural heritage importance to Kingston of Locomotive 1095, I moved that $170,000 be added to the capital budget over five years to assist with the restoration of the locomotive. After a lengthy planning and investigation period, Council earlier this year gave unanimous approval for work to begin.

North Block Urban Design January 22: I believe t that an important part of urban planning is urban design. The consultants that were being proposed for a North Block study did not place the same emphasis on design as the Planning Partnership. I moved that the staff recommendation for a consultant not be accepted, and that we work with the Planning Partnership instead. That work has now been completed and it provides a benchmark against which developers' proposals can be measured, as well as setting out what we think might be reasonable

Transit motion March 4: This motion called for a report to Environment, Infrastructure and Transportation Policies Committee for the development of “an efficient and reliable” transit service. The report was prepared by Lanie Hurdle with extensive input from the service operators, and presented to the Environment, Infrastructure and Transportation Policies Committee in September. The report was adopted and Sheila Kidd was appointed in charge of implementation. The first new routes are promised for September, 2010.

Pilot project for residential permit parking in Sydenham Ward November 25: Adopted by Council, with direction that it be implemented for June 1, 2009 after public consultations. Staff changes have resulted in the trial period being extended to the end of April, 2011.

2009.

Arts grants review February 17: This motion called for a review of the criteria by which organisations would be deemed eligible to apply for the City’s arts funding. I had three specific questions, and asked that they be brought before the public at a meeting of the Arts, Recreation and Community Policies committee. They were subsequently discussed by a committee of the Kingston Arts Council when they were updating the grant process as part of their business plan.

Lake Ontario Park Washrooms September 1: The original proposals for redevelopment of Lake Ontario Park called for the demolition of all existing structures, including the circular washrooms designed by Mr. Wilf Sorenson in the manner of Martello towers. Mr. Sorenson is a highly-respected local architect who is regarded as having had a profound influence on the contemporary built form of Kingston. At the Heritage Committee on July 6, I called for an appraisal of the heritage importance of these washrooms which was approved by Council July 14. On receipt of the report, on August 10, I moved that the washrooms “be retained and preserved as unique and worthwhile structures.” Council subsequently accepted the recommendation.

2010.

Better use and display of City Hall Portrait Collection February 17: This motion was first adopted at the Heritage Committee on February 1. The late Doug Stewart described the City hall portrait collection as “a very valuable and unique display of early Canadian art.” Six of the mayors and one of the artists are included in the Dictionary of Canadian Biography. Many of these portraits were hung in inaccessible places, and no information was available to the tour guides. If we truly wanted to honour our history and heritage, this needed to be corrected. The intent of the motion was to accomplish that at minimal cost beyond necessary staff time. This is a step in the city showing it believes in the importance of our history and heritage, and making it more accessible to residents and visitors alike.

Payments in lieu of taxes May 25: On April 15, 2010 the Supreme Court ruled unanimously that the federal government and its crown corporations must pay for services municipalities provide in the same way private owners pay. This motion called on the provincial government to follow this decision with respect to all properties for which it makes payment in lieu of taxes, including "heads and beds." I had seconded a similar motion in 2007. If the province complies, it would mean an additional annual revenue of about $5 million for Kingston.

Marine Museum of the Great Lakes July 20: In January, 2007 I initiated support for the Marine Museum on the matter of its location and lease. Following word of the Museum’s financial condition early this summer, I brought forward a motion directing staff to investigate and recommend options to Council at the August meeting. Then, and on staff’s recommendation, Council approved special funding assistance for the Marine Museum.


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