General Committee

 

 

 

 

 

TO:

Mayor and Members of Council

 

 

 

 

FROM:

Sheila Birrell, Town Clerk

 

 

 

 

PREPARED BY:

same as above

 

 

 

 

DATE OF MEETING:

2005-05-30

 

 

 

 

SUBJECT:

Ward Boundaries

 

 

 

RECOMMENDATION:

That a by-law be enacted to adopt new ward boundaries to be effective for the 2006 municipal election, as outlined on Schedule “A”.

 

PURPOSE:

To conclude the ward boundary review.

 

BACKGROUND:

 

Chronology of Events

January 2004                                        Council Retreat identified discrepancies in representation by population in current ward boundaries

November 2004                                   Information Report to Committee of the Whole

January 2005                                        Council Retreat considered three options: (1) a 4 ward system; (2) an eight ward system; and (3) a nine ward system and selected an option

February 2005                                     Report to Committee of the Whole and Council requested

                                                            further changes to Wards 4 and 6

March 2005                                         Council approval of two options to proceed to a public

                                                            consultation process.

May 2005                                            Public Consultation Process completed

May 2005                                            Council approval of new ward boundaries

 

 

OPTIONS/DISCUSSION:

At the meeting of Council held on May 10th, Council selected the final ward boundaries and directed staff to prepare a report and by-law for presentation to Council in June.  At the Committee of the Whole meeting held prior to Council, two e-mails from an area resident were tabled.  The first e-mail recommended a four ward system and the second recommended that the areas of Legacy, Box Grove and the Rouge not be included in the proposed Ward 7 and, rather in the proposed Ward 5. 

OPTIONS/DISCUSSION:  (cont’d.)

The resident appeared in delegation at the May 10th meeting recommending that the areas of Legacy, Box Grove and the Rouge be included in the proposed Ward 5. 

 

Consideration had been given to a four ward system but rejected in the early stages of the process.  Staff was directed to narrow the review to the current eight ward system.  The resident was advised that Council was unanimous in the option finally selected.   He was also advised that there are two additional venues where he might lodge his objections, the first being when the report and by-law go forward to Committee and Council, and the second through the Ontario Municipal Board.  The resident was advised that, in order to proceed to the O.M.B. level with his objection, it would be prudent for him to bring forward a recommendation, including reasons that would meet the accepted criteria.

 

The ward boundaries being adopted by an enacting by-law meet all of the accepted criteria for the re-distribution of wards:

 

Criteria for Establishing

Or Re-Dividing

Ward Boundaries

The council of a municipality in dividing or re-dividing a municipality into wards for the purpose of election shall have regard to the following:

1.             Boundaries of wards shall be established so that the number of electors in each ward shall be, as near as possible, the average number of electors calculated by dividing the total number of electors in the municipality by the number of wards.

2.             The number of electors in any ward may vary from the average number of electors calculated in (1) where the municipal council is of the opinion that the variance is necessary or desirable because of:

·      The presence or absence of a community of interest

·      Means of communication and accessibility

·      Topographical features

·      Populations trends, or

·      Special geographical considerations including the scarcity, density or relative rate of growth or

                             loss of population

 

Caution was exercised throughout the process to ensure public input.  There were ads placed in the two local newspapers, individual letters sent to all Ratepayer Associations, an extensive webpage, and two public meetings held out in the community.  In addition, both School Boards were notified of the review.  The only objection received was by the resident at the May 10th meeting.

 

The next steps will be the enactment of the by-law on June 7th, following which notice of passing will be placed in the two local newspapers.  A 45 day appeal period will follow.  Residents who wish to appeal the by-law must do so within that 45 day period and must file the objection with the Town Clerk, together with a cheque, payable to the Ontario Municipal Board, in the amount of $125.00.  If no objections are received, the by-law will automatically come into effect at the expiry of the 45 day appeal period.

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS:

 

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS:

None

 

ACCESSIBILITY CONSIDERATIONS:

None

 

ENGAGE 21ST CONSIDERATIONS:

None

 

BUSINESS UNITS CONSULTED AND AFFECTED:

None

 

ATTACHMENTS:

Schedule “A” – Proposed Ward Boundaries

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sheila Birrell,

Town Clerk.

 

Andy Taylor,

Commissioner of Corporate Services