10TH REPORT OF THE
Community
and Protective Services Committee
meeting held on May
27, 2013, commencing at 7:01 PM, in the Council Chambers, Second Floor, London
City Hall.
PRESENT: Councillor D. Brown (Chair), Mayor
J.F. Fontana and Councillors B. Armstrong, J.L. Baechler and H.L. Usher and B.
Westlake-Power (Secretary).
ABSENT: Councillor J.P. Bryant.
ALSO PRESENT: B. Coxhead, S.
Datars Bere, M. Henderson, O. Katolyk, G. Kotsifas, E. Lalonde, L. Livingstone,
J. Smout and R. Sharpe.
1.
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That it BE NOTED that Councillor B.
Armstrong disclosed a pecuniary interest in clause 9 of this Report, having
to do with residential rental units licensing fees, by indicating that he
owns rental properties.
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Recommendation: That the 4th Report of the
Accessibility Advisory Committee, from its meeting held on April 25, 2013, BE
RECEIVED.
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Motion
Passed
YEAS:
J.F. Fontana, J.L. Baechler, D. Brown, H.L. Usher, B. Armstrong (5)
Recommendation: That the 6th Report of the
London Housing Advisory Committee, from its meeting held on May 8, 2013, BE
RECEIVED.
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Motion
Passed
YEAS:
J.F. Fontana, J.L. Baechler, D. Brown, H.L. Usher, B. Armstrong (5)
Recommendation: That, on the
recommendation of the City Manager, the proposed by-law appended to the staff
report dated May 27, 2013 BE INTRODUCED at the Municipal Council meeting to
be held on June 11, 2013 to approve and adopt the standard form for Facility
Rental Contracts (Schedule 'A' of the proposed by-law) and to authorize the Managing
Director, Parks and Recreation, or Designate(s), to insert information and
execute contracts which employ the form.
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Motion
Passed
YEAS:
J.F. Fontana, J.L. Baechler, D. Brown, H.L. Usher, B. Armstrong (5)
Recommendation: That the following actions
be taken with respect to the 6th Report of the Animal Welfare Advisory
Committee (AWAC), from its meeting held on May 2, 2013:
a) on
the recommendation of the AWAC, the Civic Administration BE REQUESTED to
provide the actual number of cats and dogs destroyed, in addition to the
number of cats and dogs euthanized per 1,000 residents, as noted in the 2013
Animal Services Business Plan Summary; it being noted that the number of
animals destroyed increased to 1,647 in 2011, and the AWAC feels that the
actual real number, as opposed to the number per 1,000 residents, provides
greater transparency; and,
b) clauses 2 to 14, inclusive, BE
RECEIVED;
it being noted that the Community and
Protective Services Committee received a verbal delegation from S. Rans, AWAC
Chair, with respect to this matter.
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Motion
Passed
YEAS:
J.F. Fontana, J.L. Baechler, D. Brown, H.L. Usher, B. Armstrong (5)
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Recommendation: That, on the recommendation
of Managing Director of Development and Compliance Services and Chief
Building Official, the proposed by-law appended to the staff report dated May
27, 2013, BE INTRODUCED at the Municipal Council meeting on June 11, 2013 to
provide for the licensing and regulation of methadone pharmacies and
methadone clinics in the City of London; it being noted that the Community
and Protective Services Committee received the attached presentation from the
Manager of Licensing and Municipal Law Enforcement Services;
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it being pointed out that the following
persons made a verbal presentation in connection therewith:
- D. McBurney, #4 – 466 South Street –
extending thanks to staff for the report and recommendation, noting that
he is addressing the Committee on behalf of those taking methadone;
advising that the cameras and security guards will help individuals using
the facilities feel safer and noting that the fees should be higher.
- D. Warren, #507 – 311 Central – advising
that she is a registered nurse and a member of best-practice working group
related to methadone, whose goal is to reduce stigmatization of patients;
noting that she has over 25 years of addictions experience and has never
felt threatened; advising that patients frequently have hesitation in
seeking treatment and cameras will affect patient privacy; and suggesting
that as a health care provider, she doesn’t feel the by-law is reflective
of the reality of the service.
- Dr. M.L. McDowall – advising that she
has a practice in London, and questioning how many other health
professionals require licensing within the City; noting that patients are
already stigmatized in society and the restrictive by-law will not help
this; suggesting that she is speaking to the Committee for those without a
voice, and advising that these are the people who need help the most;
asking for the evidence-base research behind the by-law’s restrictions to be
provided and suggesting that the perception of problems is not adequate.
- B. Ryan, 3 Hammond Crescent – advising
that she was a methadone patient (pain) for over 10 years; suggesting that
the guidelines are pretty good, but questioning who the cameras are there
to protect.
- Dr. G. Sidhu – advising that he is a
psychiatrist and addictions specialist, noting that he is already licensed
(as all doctors are) by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario,
and that further licensing is not required; noting that in his practice he
sees a variety of patients and prescribes a variety of medications, like
all doctors throughout the province; suggesting that this by-law is a
“witch hunt” and requesting that Council reconsider the by-law; and noting
that his practice is already subject to inspection and audit from the College
of Physicians, and should not be subject to inspection from municipal
bureaucrats.
- S. Quigley, #6 – 59 Pennybrook Crescent
– advising that he has worked in an area with a high addiction population
and suggesting that Council has to think about the public outcry about
methadone locations in their considerations; noting that cameras create a
stigmatization with respect to seeking treatment and create a mental
barrier for patients; questioning whether the same requirements are
necessary for other medical practitioners in London and requesting that
the Committee and Council consider these points very carefully because it
will send a very clear message as to how we treat some people with
illnesses versus others.
Motion
Passed
YEAS:
J.F. Fontana, D. Brown, H.L. Usher (3)
NAYS:
J.L. Baechler, B. Armstrong (2)
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Recommendation: That consideration of the
food truck pilot program BE REFERRED to a special meeting of the Community
and Protective Services Committee (CPSC), to be held in advance of the June
11, 2013 Municipal Council meeting, with staff to revise the proposed by-law
to include consideration of increased licenses to be available, increased
locations and menu recommendations; it being noted that the CPSC received the
attached presentation from the Manager of Licensing and Municipal Law
Enforcement Services;
it being pointed out that the following
persons made a verbal presentation in connection therewith:
- D. McBurney, #4 – 466 South Street – suggesting
that lots of the carts that are at events are “mom and pop” businesses,
and shouldn’t be affected; noting concern with the food trucks being in
the Downtown area, and creating more unemployment for restaurants; and
suggesting that the food trucks go where the market is, as there are
lots of areas in the City where people can’t get to restaurants because
they are not within walking distance.
- B. Ryan, 3 Hammond Crescent – advising
that she has provided some information to staff and noting that this
proposal will create unemployment with a loss of menial jobs in the
restaurant industry; noting that London is known for having the highest
per capita number of restaurants, and this proposal will destroy this;
suggesting that those restaurants that are in buildings are actually part
of their community and a food truck moving from place to place won’t be
a community partner; advising that the situation of Richmond Row will
cause additional problems and noting concern for health and safety.
- K. Navakos, 790 William Street –
noting disappointment with the lack of imagination in the report, and
considering it too restrictive with respect to locations; suggesting
that the “lottery” will result in chain-restaurant-type food trucks,
rather than creative cuisine because overhead and start-up costs will be
high; advising there are lots of creative chefs in the community that
will hire additional help and noting that this type of activity is very
popular and successful in other cities; encouraging a more creative and
less restrictive approach; and suggesting that the community will
benefit from a broadened proposal.
- D. Cooke, Western Fair Farmers’ Market
– noting that he is perhaps one of the instigators of this initiative
and advising that public spaces are under-serviced; outlining for the Committee
own his business and noting that the proposal is not required for the
continued success of his own business, but he believes in the good that
could come of this for the community as a whole.
- P. Henshaw, 55 Cartier Road – advising
that he is interested in a food truck as a second income and that he
considers it an exciting opportunity; noting the success of these
ventures in other cities; suggesting that this will not detract from
restaurants and noting concern for the restrictive locations, adding that
it is perhaps okay for a pilot but there’s room for expansion.
- S. Quigley, Emerging Leaders – noting
the proposal is bold and an opportunity to expand businesses; suggesting
that entrepreneurs be allowed into the market and that will determine
success; suggesting that the proposal is too restrictive and not in
synch with the demographic that doesn’t go out before 9 pm; advising
that the current proposal is limiting and that the businesses should be
chosen based on quality, not a lottery.
- M. Navakos, Farmers’ & Artisan
Market, Western Fair – suggesting that the proposed by-law is
restrictive and limits creativity for an exciting initiative; as
presented this will allow chain restaurants to gain access to Victoria
Park; and suggesting a more sustainable model be piloted.
- J. Helmer, 24 Amy Street – advising
that he has a website called “Better London” which has garnered 800+
online signatures in support of this initiative and that people are
excited; suggesting that the by-law “do less” and be less restrictive,
that the pilot should start big and add rules if/when they are required;
and commenting that this is a great idea that is being slowed down.
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Motion
Passed
YEAS:
J.F. Fontana, J.L. Baechler, D. Brown, H.L. Usher, B. Armstrong (5)
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Recommendation: That the following
actions be taken with respect to the 5th Report of the London Diversity and
Race Relations Advisory Committee (LDRRAC), from its meeting held on May 16,
2013:
a)
on
the recommendation of the LDRRAC, the attached Media Relations Protocol for
the LDRRAC, BE ADOPTED; it being noted that in the event that race relations
and/or diversity-related issues arise, the Protocol would be observed to
promote the delivery of a timely, insightful and responsive communication to the
City by the LDRRAC members; and,
b) clauses 2 to 8, inclusive, BE
RECEIVED.
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Motion
Passed
YEAS:
J.F. Fontana, J.L. Baechler, D. Brown, H.L. Usher, B. Armstrong (5)
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That, on the recommendation of the Managing
Director, Development & Compliance Services and the Chief Building
Official, a public participation meeting BE HELD at a future meeting of the
Community and Protective Services Committee to consider:
a) a
$55.00 fee for new applications and renewal applications, in an effort to
achieve full cost recovery of the Residential Rental Units Licensing (RRUL) program;
and
b)
no
additional fee to be charged for multiple rental units, for new or renewal RRUL
applications. (2013-P09)
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Motion
Passed
YEAS:
J.F. Fontana, J.L. Baechler, D. Brown, H.L. Usher (4)
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None.
The
meeting adjourned at 9:45 PM.