[All] Halloran pushing for a vote on Merger

[Louisette Lanteigne]

Good Evening:
 
At City Council tonight Mayor Halloran tabled the following "Notice of Motion" for consideration by Waterloo City Council on February 22, 2010:
 
1. That the City of Waterloo request the Ontario Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing include a question on the October 2010 municipal election ballot for the City of Waterloo with the following suggested wording:
 
"Do you support the members of Kitchener and Waterloo Councils engaging in discussions about the advantages and disadvantages of merging the Cities of Kitchener and Waterloo. Yes or No."
 
2. That this Council recommend the following process to the 2010-2014 Council:
 
a) In the event of a NO vote, Waterloo City Council will not enter into discussion on merging the cities of Kitchener and Waterloo.
 
b) In the event of a YES vote, Waterloo City Council will direct staff to use the public involvement guidelines when complete to develop an appropriate strategy for how the City of Waterloo will report on the discussions to citizens and how citizens will be able to provide ongoing comment on the discussions.
 
c) In the event of a YES vote, the City of Waterloo will provide opportunities to citizens and other municipal stakeholders, through public meetings, mailed and online submissions, and other forums, to identify areas of concern requiring discussion.
 
d) In the event of a YES vote, topics of discussion will need to include but not be limited to: short and long term financial impacts, negotiations of shared utilities, municipal debt, service delivery, democratic representation, arts and cultural impact, economic development, and relationships with other levels of government and neighbouring municipalities.
 
e) If the decision is made by Waterloo City Council to move forward with a formal proposal on merging Kitchener and Waterloo; the final merger proposal will be brought  back to the citizens of Waterloo through a referendum.
 
I have blind carbon copied this email to all the citizens who have taken the time over the past years to email me comments with regard to this issue and other issues within the City and the Ward.  I have done this because I value your feedback.  In particular I would appreciate knowing if you do or do not support the above motion.  I would also welcome any comments that you may have on this new motion or on the broader issue.
 
With regard to the above I offer the following observations for your consideration:
 
1. Many individuals indicated their concern over the previously requested wording of the question citing that the former words "merits of amalgamation" predetermined an outcome and led voters to believe that there were only merits.  The above referenced wording clarifies that both advantages and disadvantages surrounding amalgamation would need to be equally considered.
 
2.  The question placed to Council in the past did not outline a "process" or clarify what a majority Yes or majority No vote would result in.  Many people who emailed and telephoned me felt that No was only a No for this election and that the question would continue to be asked.  As well, many individuals felt that a Yes vote was a clear mandate to amalgamate, not just to have a discussion.  Does the above motion provide clarity for you around these issues?
 
3. Many citizens thought that asking a question to have a discussion was unnecessary and that citizens should be asked yes or no to what was seen as the real question, do you want to amalgamate Yes or No.  Item e) of the above motion also includes a piece associated with that fundamental question once information has been prepared for the citizens to review.
 
It is my goal to summarize all of the feedback I receive (without names of course) and prepare a summary report which I will be pleased to circulate back under blind carbon copy to all who respond.  Please note that this will be returning to Council on Monday February 22, therefore I would value your response by the 21st. 
 
Thank you and Best Regards,
 
Diane Freeman, FEC, P.Eng. 
Councillor - Ward 4 
Cell: 519-569-9955
 
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