Special General Committee Minutes

Meeting Number: 7

Monday, February 13, 2023 at 9:00 A.m. - 11:30 A.m.

Live streamed

Roll Call

• Mayor Frank Scarpitti
• Deputy Mayor Michael Chan
• Regional Councillor Jim Jones
• Regional Councillor Joe Li
• Regional Councillor Alan Ho
• Councillor Keith Irish
• Councillor Ritch Lau
• Councillor Reid McAlpine
• Councillor Karen Rea
• Councillor Andrew Keyes
• Councillor Amanda Collucci
• Councillor Juanita Nathan
• Councillor Isa Lee

Staff

• Andy Taylor, Chief Administrative Officer
• Trinela Cane, Commissioner, Corporate Services
• Arvin Prasad, Commissioner, Development Services
• Claudia Storto, City Solicitor and Director of Human Resources
• Kimberley Kitteringham, City Clerk
• Martha Pettit, Deputy City Clerk
• Sumon Acharjee, Chief Information Officer
• Mark Visser, Sr Manager Strategy Innovation ＆ Investments
• Hristina Giantsopoulos, Election/Council & Committee Coordinator
• John Wong, Technology Support Specialist II
• Erica Alligood, Election/Council & Committee Coordinator
• Alice Lam, Director, Operations

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1.

CALL TO ORDER

INDIGENOUS LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We begin today by acknowledging the traditional territories of Indigenous peoples and their commitment to stewardship of the land. We acknowledge the communities in circle. The North, West, South and Eastern directions, and Haudenosaunee, Huron- Wendat, Anishnabeg, Seneca, Chippewa, and the Mississaugas of the Credit peoples. We share the responsibility with the caretakers of this land to ensure the dish is never empty and to restore relationships that are based on peace, friendship, and trust. We are committed to reconciliation, partnership and enhanced understanding.

The Special General Committee Meeting convened at 9:04 AM with Councillor Keith Irish presiding as Chair.

The Mayor arrived at 9:38 AM.

2.

DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST

There were none disclosed.

3.

EDUCATION & TRAINING SESSION

3.1

MUNICIPAL GOVERNANCE (16.23)

As part of the City's Council Orientation for the new 2022-2026 Council term, today's Special General Committee Meeting was an education session on Municipal Governance, and Council Code of Conduct.  Kimberley Kitteringham, City Clerk, addressed the Committee to introduce the first presenter, Kim Mullin, Wood Bull LLP.  Ms. Mullin made a presentation on Municipal Governance that provided an overview of the following:

1.Municipal Powers and Jurisdiction;

2.Roles and Responsibilities of Council and Staff;

3.Council Meetings and Procedures;

4.Accountability and Transparency;

5.Legality of Municipal Decisions;

6.Municipal Conflict of Interest Act; and,

7.Municipal Records / MFIPPA.

The Committee thanked Ms. Mullin for attending today's session and the presentation.  The following inquiries were made:

• The method in which to address concerns relating to false reports in confidential session;   
• The reasons in which it is permittable to convene into confidential session; 
• Third party attendance at a closed meeting and when it is permissible;
• The confidentiality surrounding emails between council and constituents;
• The recourse options for people who wish to open a retail business where the City does not permit a specific type of business;
• Whether there is a pecuniary interest of a council member after their term expires or they were not re-elected;
• An inquiry related to maintaining full-time employment while a member of council; and,
• The differences between federal and provincial statutes and municipal by-laws.

Ms. Mullins addressed the inquiries by the Committee.

• Moved By Councillor Juanita Nathan
  Seconded By Councillor Andrew Keyes

  That the Municipal Governance, presentation made by Kim Mullin, be received.  

  Carried

3.2

COUNCIL CODE OF CONDUCT (16.23)

Kimberley Kitteringham, City Clerk, addressed the Committee to introduce, Charles Harnick, Integrity Commissioner, ADR Chambers.  Mr. Harnick presented, Council Code of Conduct, which provided a summary of the primary functions of an Integrity Commissioner,  and an overview of a Council Code of Conduct, where to locate the City's Council Code of Conduct and its guiding principles. 

The Committee thanked Mr. Harnick for attending today's session and for his services to the City.  

There was discussion on the following:

• The length of time confidential information is to remain confidential and if that period ends when a person is no longer a member of council;
• Whether confidential information can be shared between former councillors and new councillors;
• An inquiry related to the differences between federal and municipal election finance rules;
• The differences in conflict of interest penalties between the federal and municipal government;
• Whether a member of council may impose a fee for services;
• The manner in which family members of a politician may secure employment; 
• An inquiry related to blind trusts and whether it is an option at the municipal level where a potential conflict of interest may exist; and,
• The circumstances in which gifts and sponsorships are to be recorded.

Mr. Harnick addressed the inquiries made by the Committee and noted his availability for further inquiries.   

• Moved By Councillor Juanita Nathan
  Seconded By Councillor Andrew Keyes

  That the Council Code of Conduct presentation made by Charles Harnick, Integrity Commissioner, be received. 

  Carried

4.

ADJOURNMENT

The Chair announced that Regional Councillor Jones will preside as Chair for the Special Development Services Meeting that will commence immediately following this meeting.   

• Moved By Councillor Juanita Nathan
  Seconded By Regional Councillor Jim Jones

  That the Special General Committee Meeting adjourn at 11:55 AM.

  Carried