A Common Minute - June 09, 2008

Tonight, I attended my first City of Saint John Common Council meeting. This is part of my new goal to become more involved in municipal politics. I think that it is best to see what is happening first hand - at the council meetings.

I know that I am not the only one who is interested in what is going on in Saint John. That is why I am going to start attending and blogging about what took place at the public council meetings. Instead of trying to document every little detail, I want to try and capture the important things that took place (along with any interesting observations).

I’m calling this “A Common Minute” and tonight is my first post!

City of Saint John Common Council Meeting - June 09, 2008

The meeting began twenty minutes late; however, it was quickly called to order once everyone arrived. Before business began, the 2008 Environmental Awards were handed out. I would highly recommend reading about these great local companies and groups.

Several Councillors spoke, during Members Comments, about successful events that went on in the city. An interesting mention, by Snook, was a group called PULSE that organized a graffiti cleaning event in the Lower South End.

Next, public hearings began. There were several proposed zoning amendments that were all motioned by Titus and seconded by McGuire. Each was quickly passed until 9.3(a)(b) came up. This one involved rezoning of 47-55 Golden Grove Road. Many residents spoke against the rezoning. Issues raised were around: increased flooding, increased car traffic, safety, and appearance. There were concerns that promises would be made, but not followed up on. One resident explained that a privacy fence was supposed to be created around a previous development, but it never happened. The developer did speak in favour of the rezoning. He cited that the area has always flooded and would continue to flood. He did not believe that it would increase flooding. The developer seemed open to working with residents and any conditions council made. No final decision was made tonight.

As part of the previous discussion, McGuire made a good point about “missing a step”. He explained that we seem to be skipping a step where we ask both sides if comprises would be acceptable before the issues make it to the council meetings.

Finally, the submissions by Council Members started. This is where the meeting became interesting. Titus made his many promised motions to Council.

11.1 - Titus made a motion to bring in an expert to look at the municipal tax system. Ivan Court thought that this is already being done by other groups pushing municipal issues (that he is also a member of). He suggested that a report due in the fall will have more information. Totten, the City Manager, suggested that a presentation be made to Council. Titus, being Titus, then defiantly said, “the motion stands as-is”. Chase supported it after confirming it will look at other models out there. Mott, disagreed saying that, “we should do it ourselves”. Bruce Court said “we don’t need experts to tell us we don’t have money”. He suggested pressuring MLAs. The motion carried with Mott and Court voting against.

11.2 - Titus made a motion around recreational services. He referenced the “recreational report” that has been heavily mentioned, but never followed through on. He suggested meeting with the exhibition association around develop facilities through a partnership. Chase supported it as partnerships would be good for the taxpayers. After discussion around a committee to work on this issue, Titus was suggested as the chair and any councillors who wanted to be on the committee would put their names forward.

11.3 - Titus made a motion to bring in an expert to look at lowering taxes after doing analysis and coming up with a plan. Chase supported it, and he spoke of expenditures rising at the same level of growth. He also mentioned service levels going up due to increased fuel costs. Sullivan spoke of needing to define priorities, and that council should set the tax rate around that. McGuire suggested using the same expert as 11.1, combine tax and revenue into one motion. Mott agreed with the motion and said that he supports reducing taxes. Bruce Court questioned raising taxes to hire experts. Ivan Court said its easy to cut services, and he wants to make sure services are cost effective. Titus then said, “I’m all about the taxpayers” and “you have to have public consultation”. The motion carried with Court and Sullivan voting against.

11.4 - Titus made a motion around putting out an RFP for a municipal transit plan. Totten says that there is only $100,000 set aside for a transit study this year. He believes this RFP would cost much more then that. McGuire then asked about the transit deficit. Totten informed council that it was significant - in the “hundreds of thousands”. Titus defended the use of deficit, saying that you have to look at the full picture as there are many benefits. Ivan Court and Titus then begin an argument over the full picture. McGuire suggested capping the city’s costs at $100,000, suggesting the province or federal governments could help with the rest. Bruce Court then suggested bringing in the transit officials to discuss first. The motion carried with Court voting against.

11.5 - Titus made a motion on forming a committee to work with Saint John Water. He mentioned waiting for a report needed before lobbying other levels of government can begin. Chase suggested council and staff need to be prepared to discuss P3’s on water. He said the first question the federal government asks is did you look into it. McGuire suggests it will be councils number one priority. Titus then asked Groody when the plan will be ready. Groody reply was “in the coming months”. The motion carried.

11.6 - Chase made a motion around having a presentation to council on public-private partnerships. Titus thought that this would be included in the SJ Water report. Ivan Court says that there are two pots of money, and that looking at P3’s is not a requirement. Totten suggested not looking at this just from a water point of view. He said that North of Union may be a P3 development. He suggested that Councillors would be well advised to look into it. After a question from Sullivan, he went into more detail explaining that it’s something we should always be doing as part of the finances for any project. Chase spoke in favour of the motion saying that “you owe it to yourself and your community”. Groody, when asked, agreed with Chase, suggesting that is needs to be evaluated. Ivan Court, raised concerns about a private company having a 20-40 year lease on the infrastructure. Bruce Court then somehow managed to bring up LNG, saying private companies would be worse. Chase suggested that staff do their work, but a date be set for the presentation which would occur when the report is ready. The motion failed with Court, McGuire, Titus, and Snook voting against.

With time running out and several important items left on the agenda, a meeting was booked for 4:30pm tomorrow.