HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2013-07-11, Page 10PAGE 10. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JULY 11, 2013.
Central Huron delays code of conduct again
Morris-Turnberry
buys new grader
Councillors defend parkades, approve proposal
Continued from page 1
main street than there would be
under normal circumstances.
North Huron Reeve Neil Vincent
said that if the parkades were to be
approved with conditions, that
Stantec Consulting would be
brought back in on the project to
assist with further safety precautions
on the parkades, if necessary.“We want to do it right,” Vincentsaid.
Huron East’s Bernie MacLellan,
however, found himself on the fence,
saying he could see good points in
both sides, but that he found the
liability the county would be taking
on to be too great.
Joe Steffler, also of Huron East,
agreed with MacLellan, saying that
cars and trucks travel through Blyth
at too high of a speed to ignore the
liability the parkades open the
county up to.
Bluewater’s Paul Klopp said that
approving the parkades wouldn’t
simply mean that the BIA would be
able to erect the structures the next
day. All the aforementioned
conditions would have to be met
before anything could proceed.
Orchard confirmed Klopp’s
thoughts, saying if the conditions of
the motion are not met, then the
approval motion has not been
fulfilled, meaning that approval of
the parkades will not be considered
valid unless all of council’s
conditions have been met to their
satisfaction.
Council then passed a motion
approving the parkades provided
that the three conditions have been
met.
The motion reads “The Council of
the County of Huron approves the
request by the Blyth BIA to install
parkades on the travelled portion of
the county highway (which includes
parking spaces) under live trafficsituations.” The motion also includesthe three aforementioned conditions.
The conditions will now slow the
project down for at least another
month, those involved with the
project have said. Council has
annually taken the month of July off,
so Committee of the Whole
meetings will resume in August and
council’s next official meeting will
be held in early September.
In his report, Laurie provided
council with the history of the
parkades, saying that the Public
Works Department was first asked to
comment on parkades last summer,
saying that the issues “seems” to be
covered by the Municipal Act.
The issue then resurfaced in May
and then was before council in June
when two BIA members made a
presentation to council asking for
the allowance of parkades
on the village’s main street this
summer.
The delegation included BIA
Chair Rick Elliott, Vice-Chair Peter
Gusso, Treasurer Sharon Davis,
Member Les Cook and North Huron
Councillors Brock Vodden and Dave
Riach and North Huron CAO Gary
Long.
The delegation’s request read
“The Blyth BIA and several
downtown merchants on Queen St.
(Hwy. 4) would like permission
from the county to install parkades
within two to three parking spaces
for the busy tourist season.”
Central Huron Council is not yet
ready to endorse a proposed code of
conduct for elected officials. While
councillors were preparing to vote
on a recommendation to approve the
draft version of the code at their July
2 council session, Councillor Brian
Barnim again noted some concern
with the document.
In referencing recent statements
made by retired judge Jim Donnelly,
a Goderich town councillor at a
recent Goderich town council
session, Barnim said he, too, has
issues with the document.
“His [Donnelly’s] opinion is very
similar to what I said,” said Barnim.
“I will not be supporting this, and I
will be asking for a recorded vote.”
Barnim said he will not abide by
the code of conduct as he is not a
“participant.” Councillor Burkhard
Metzger took exception to Barnim’s
statement.
“There is no such thing as opting
out of it,” said Metzger, adding the
code of conduct will apply equally
to all councillors.
Mayor Jim Ginn said while he has
“complete respect for Judge
Donnelly,” whom he credits with
having a “very good mind on legal
issues,” he nonetheless believes the
code of conduct has merit.
In noting county consultant
George Cuff, municipal consultant
Fred Dean and Ombudsman André
Marin have all suggested that
council adopt a code of conduct,
Ginn said it seems like a sound
move.
Deputy-Mayor Dave Jewitt agreed
that the code seems like a “good
step” since it is “important that we
have a benchmark of conduct for
members of council.”
Councillor Alison Lobb also
supported it and noted she has
signed several codes of conduct in
order to work with other
organizations. Calling it “standard
practice,” Lobb added, “We are not
even being required to sign this one.”
Councillor Alex Westerhout said
there are aspects of the code that are
a concern, including one statement
that can be construed to mean the
mayor is the only council
representative that should respond to
questions from the public and media.
While the mayor noted the
paragraph is designed to spell out
the duty of the mayor as the official
voice of council, he added the
understanding is councillors can still
talk to the media.
“It does seem a little restrictive,”
said Westerhout, noting another
statement outlining that councillors
are to refrain from criticizing staff
by name in open or closed sessions
leaves one to wonder how problems
are to be addressed.
“I agree with not criticizing staff
in public,” said Westerhout, but
further suggested closed meetings
would be the place to bring up
concerns.
Jewitt agreed the wording is up to
interpretation but suggested while it
is appropriate to address a concern,
it is inappropriate to criticize an
individual.
Westerhout further expressed
concern with the compliance
enforcement section of the
document, which states if the mayor
is facing a complaint, the deputy-
mayor will be the designate.
“What if both are facing
complaints?” asked Westerhout.
While Clerk Brenda MacIsaac
noted that type of scenario would
likely necessitate the involvement of
an integrity commissioner, there
proved to be some debate as to
whether or not to leave the clause in.
“It should be stated so it’s clear,”
said Councillor Marg Anderson,
who then made a motion to defer a
vote on the document until all issues
are clearly defined.
While Barnim had earlier
requested a recorded vote on a
recommendation to approve the
document, Councillor Alison Lobb
asked for a recorded vote on the
motion to defer a vote on the code.
Those in favour of a deferral were
Councillors Westerhout, Anderson,
Barnim, Dan Colquhoun, the mayor
and deputy-mayor. Those opposed to
a deferral were Lobb and Metzger.
Council is planning to again
review the document at an upcoming
committee of the whole session.
Morris-Turnberry Council
accepted the tender to purchase a
new John Deere grader at the July 2
meeting.
The tender from Nortrax of
London was the lowest of three
received. The price of the machine is
$317,944 but an allowance of
$28,000 for a trade-in brings the
final cost to $289,944. Delivery of
the grader will be in September or
October.
Strongco of Mississauga had the
second lowest tender with a Volvo
grader with a final price of
$293,000, including trade. The bid
of Toromont CAT from London for
a Caterpillar grader for $295,573,
including trade, was the highest
tender.
The choice was not unanimously
supported by councillors.
“For me the Cat is only $6,000
more but probably will be worth
twice as much as a trade-in,” said
Councillor Neil Warwick.
“I wouldn’t say it’s worth more [as
a trade-in],” said Gary Pipe, director
of public works. He said he had no
concerns with any of the choices and
noted that his department has had
good experience with the one John
Deere grader it already operates.
Councillor John Smuck, noting
that the life-expectancy of a grader is
15,000 to 20,000 hours and that the
Sunday July 14
Susan Hoeppner
Monday July 15
Bach Festival Chamber Choir
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Tuesday July 16
Capella Intima
Wednesday July 17
Project Aria
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The Fern Lindon Quartet
Friday July 19
A Summer of Singing with the
Bach Youth Choir
Saturday July 20
St. John Passion, Huron Tractor Showroom
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Spruce the place up a bit
Several businesses involved with the Blyth BIA had hopes of erecting wooden parkades along
Blyth’s main street, which would occupy a number of parking spots. Huron County Council
approved the BIA’s application at the July 3 council meeting, but with conditions that will likely
hold the project up for the majority of the Blyth Festival season. Above is a picture of the
parkades, erected for last year’s Buskerfest, that was included in the BIA’s presentation. (Photo
submitted)
By Cheryl Heath
Special to The Citizen
By Keith Roulston
The Citizen
Continued on page 14