Category Archives: Uncategorized

Welcome by chair Sue Bazely

Welcome by Williamsville Councilor Jim Neill: great turn-out, hopes for more meetings, and encouraged those present to invite a neighbour.

Main Street Study Recommendation – Shirley Bailey, Sr. Planner, City of Kingston

Ms Bailey gave a brief summary of the study highlights and noted that emphasis on culture and heritage has been noted and will be incorporated, and invited input into Study. The streets will have wide sidewalks for pedestrians and parking on both sides.

Comments from attendees: cyclist noted “sharrows’ don’t work; Councilor Neill noted sharrows are a work in progress; Ms Bailey indicated Williamsville Study Recommendations will take time to happen. The area needs developers, but with brownfields in area, is it reasonable to expect to attract developers? Ms Bailey noted that Yes, enquiries have come from afar, there is interest and developers’ applications will be dealt with as they come in. Councilor Neill commented on tax advantages for brownfield development (some brownfields could be abandoned by owners who do not have mean to clean up properties).

Podium Developments Presentation – Bernard Luttmer

Mr Luttmer outlined the Salvation Army site development and Albert Street development, and apologized for the noise. Mr Luttmer went on to show designs for Mack Street, fronting on Victoria Park and requested comments and suggestions.

Comments from attendees: what type of buildings and how large? Mr. Luttmer indicated the intent for campus residents, but cannot be restricted to students; 2 bedrooms, 3 bedrooms + den, 2 buildings, 15 units each. Query on size of den, and does it have a closet?  Mr Luttmer commented that it is usual to have a den with a 3 bedroom unit. There was general praise for the Podium developments.

Property Standards – Terry Willing, Director of Building and Licensing, City of Kingston

Property standards enforcement is mainly complaint driven, with some blitzes, and intent to focus particular attention to the gateways to Kingston. Mr Willing gave a summary of the process.

Comments from attendees: complaints fall into black hole, what could be done? Mr Willing noted that communication is not so good, staff are very busy, and requested that people call back to check. It was suggested that people to take photos of situation and Mr Willing agreed this was a great idea, and to send photos by e-mail. There are chronic offenders, what process could work here?  Mr Willing noted there should be bigger fines for repeat offenders. An example from Waterloo was given where students get a fine right away, but it usually takes 3 weeks for students to pay attention to property standards by-laws. Snow removal, are there any guidelines? What about homeowners shoveling snow out to the street? Snow banks on Princess Street are a problem. Mr Willing noted property owners need to pay for snow removal or call for by-law enforcement if needed.

Near Campus Neighbourhoods Advisory Committee – John Grenville, Williamsville rep

A powerpoint presentation with background was provided along with examples of issues and concerns. Mr Grenville would like feedback to take to the Committee. Summary information and contact information will be posted on the website.

Business Improvement Area (BIA) – Fawn Bradfield, KEDCO

A powerpoint presentation on the advantages and benefits of a BIA was presented by Ms Bradfield, a representative of the Kingston Economic Development Corporation. This provided a better understanding to business owners and residents.

Services and Lifestyle Guide – Sue Bazely

The first draft of the Guide which lists services in Williamsville was presented. The objective is to promote local services. Ms Bazely encouraged input and additional listings.

Other Business

Farmers’ Market at Memorial Centre – is a proposed pilot project that needs support from the community. Attendees were asked to email councilors. This proposed Market is in keeping with the community garden proposed for the Memorial Centre and is an element of Kingston as a Sustainable Community.  Help is needed in working on this.

Potential school closures - there is information that some schools in the area could close. It is necessary to attend meetings and watch for the review now being conducted. Schools are an essential part of a neighbourhood.

Messages – Bryon Springer sends congratulations on improvements to the Memorial Centre, encourages incentives for developers, and is reviewing their proposal for the property at old Keg site. Bruce Stewart (Toyota property) noted that the area needs revitalization and that there is probably a brownfield issue. City leadership is needed.

In addition, there were messages from Ronda Candy (Martha’s Table) and John McTavish (HIV Aids) expressing interest in the Williamsville Community Association.

Thanks to all who attended, our presenters, and everyone who assisted in the planning and presentation of this meeting.

The Kingston North Program and Accommodation Review Committee of the Limestone District School Board is holding its second public meeting for Central PS, First Avenue PS, Frontenac PS, JG Simcoe PS and Rideau Heights PS on:

November 22, 2011

6:30 pm

at Rideau Heights PS 77 MacCauley Street

Although these schools are not in Williamsville, several are close to our district boarders and closure of any will have an adverse impact on the surrounding neighbourhoods. There is an opportunity for public input. For more information see the Accommodation section at www.limestone.on.ca

Monday October 17 - 7-9 pm at the Memorial Centre Rotunda

Agenda

1. Welcome & introduction to meeting

2. Welcome by District Councillor Jim Neill

3. Main Street Study Recommendations

4. Current & Future Development in Williamsville by Podium Developments

5. Property Standards, by-law enforcement & waste management

6. Near Campus Neighbourhoods Advisory Committee

7. Business Improvement Area (BIA) Information

8. Service & Lifestyle Guide

9. General Comments from District Councillor Jim Neill

10. Other Business – proposed farmers’ market, community garden, potential school closures

11. General Questions

There will be an opportunity for questions after each item in addition to the general question session at the end.

Several important meetings and events are coming up in October that concern Williamsville.

October 3 – Open House: Williamsville Main Street Revitalization

At St. Luke’s Church Hall, 236 Nelson Street – An open house will run from 4:00 to 8:00 pm with a presentation on the draft guidelines at 6:00 pm. You can see the report and can make comments on-line until Friday October 21 at     www.City ofKingston.ca/williamsville

October 12 – Memorial Centre Advisory Committee 

In the Loyalist Room at City Hall at 5:00 pm. This meeting is open to the public and has a variety of items on the agenda concerning the Memorial Centre, including the proposed farmers’ market in one of the barns.

October 17 – Williamsville Community Association General Meeting

Our next general meeting takes place at the Memorial Centre, Rotunda from 7:00 to 9:00 pm. This is your opportunity to find out what has been going on and have your say. More details to follow.

We offer a belated congratulations to Dong Nai Restaurant, first place in Best Environmentally Friendly Garden, Kingston Blooms, 2010.

More information can be found at the City of Kingston website.

Kingston Coalition for Active Transportation

March 30 “Cycling in A Sustainable Kingston” 1:30 – 4:00

Queen’s KHS Building rm 101 28 Division at Clergy and

7:00-9:00 Memorial Hall, City Hall.

Kingston Coalition for Active Transportation – March 30 “Cycling in A Sustainable Kingston”

Please see the attached posters for more details.

Transition Kingston:

March 26 “A Show of Hands 2: Unplugged – A Skills Sharing Forum!”

9:30 – 3:30 at Regiopolis NDHS on Russell Street.

Although the workshop deadline has passed, there are still lots of great ideas and information.

Transition Kingston – March 26 “A Show of Hands 2: Unplugged – A Skills Sharing Forum!” 9:30 – 3:30 at Regiopolis

Thank you!

October 27, 2010

Dear Neighbours and Friends;

Thanks to everyone who voted on Monday. I’m thankful and humbled by your vote of confidence in me. It’s never easy running against an incumbent, but people were welcoming at their doors and willing to share ideas. I am looking forward to continuing these dialogues. I promise to work hard to maintain your trust.
As exhausting and tiring as the past few months have been, I know it’s going to be even more so in the coming months. When the City CAO congratulated me on Monday night, I jokingly told him I might be City Staff’s worst nightmare. I knocked at 5000 doors, and then returned to knock at 3500 again. So I now have a log of dozens of constituency and neighbourhood issues to follow up on. I’m starting on these this week.
I want the people in Williamsville to have the best constituency service in Kingston. No longer will residents who phone their City Councillor be given the “City Customer Service” number. We’re all much more than customers. We’re Kingston citizens.

I also have many things that I’ve pledged to do over the next four years. I plan to begin taking these issues to Council and Committees as quickly as possible. I’ve created an ambitious agenda to fulfill. I will bring these forward in the coming year. With your lobbying and support, we can achieve these. I will be creating petitions and asking for supportive delegations in order to achieve these goals. With your support we can make Kingston even a better city.

I will be active and visible in your neighbourhood. Please let me know what I can do to help facilitate things. Too much of City Council business is reactive. I hope to be proactive. So I want to listen to you.
There are many committees of council that will be looking for new appointees. These will be posted in newspapers. Most are voted on in council. If anyone is interested in serving, email me your areas of interest (jim.neill@sympatico.ca) and I’ll keep you posted.

In my previous terms on Council I appreciated constituent input before crucial votes. Please call if you have concerns (613-544-2465). This is my home number, not an answering service. I pledged to respond to all emails and phone calls within 24 hours. I’ll keep that promise.

Again, I want to thank all the voters of Williamsville. I will work hard to maintain and to earn your trust in the coming four years.

Sincere thanks;
Jim Neill
613-544-2465
jim.neill@ysmpatico.ca

From Kingston Whig-Standard, Letters to the Editor 1 November 2010
By Ed Smith Outgoing City Councillor, Williamsville District Kingston

Thanks for the memories

Serving on city council for seven years has been a very pleasurable and rewarding experience. I would like to especially thank the constituents of Williamsville for placing their trust and faith in me and allowing me to represent them for two terms.

I met so many good people in my district and, really, in all of Kingston over the past years. You all rewarded me on a daily basis with your gratitude and it often made me feel as if you were serving me rather than the other way around. So thank you again to the constituents of Williamsville and to all Kingstonians who continue to be passionate and express so much love for their city. You have truly made this departing councillor feel greatly appreciated.
I also want to thank the City of Kingston and Utilities Kingston staff, the management team, the middle managers, the support staff and the “hands-on” staff who collectively make Kingston work. The City of Kingston is a complicated $265-million operation, with its fingers in many different pies, so it is natural that there might be a few hiccups in its service delivery from time to time. But, even when there are occasional areas that need improvement, during my seven years on council I witnessed a dedicated, hard-working and effective municipal workforce who truly cares about doing the best job possible for the citizens of Kingston. So I would like to say thanks to all of you who helped me do my job.

I must also thank my colleagues on council over the past two terms. Despite our differences, we all agreed that the job was ultimately to make Kingston a better place to live and raise a family.

I would like to single out a few special people who inspired and guided me. To Mayor Rosen, who honourably and courageously led a much-needed transformation of our great city which will keep it vital and relevant in the competitive world in which we live, you have truly made a positive difference in the lives of Kingstonians for generations to come. I am proud to have played a small role in that.

To Leonore Foster, who provided wisdom, amazing leadership and an unselfish work ethic on behalf of Kingstonians, it was an amazing experience working with you.

To George Stoparczyk, who I served with on my first term of council and who served his community as a councillor for over 15 years, thank you for the advice and support you provided when I was new and starry-eyed about being a councillor.

I want to thank my campaign supporters, contributors and especially the volunteers who knocked on doors, put up signs, helped produce content for my flyers and website. Thank you for believing in me.

Finally, I want to wish the incoming council all the best. I think the citizens of Kingston have elected a council that has the potential to be great. Please remember you are all on the same team — the team of Kingston. If I can offer any advice, it is to take the time to learn the job, to listen to your colleagues and city staff, and to talk to your constituents. By doing that, you’ll have no problem making the best decisions on behalf of your constituents and all Kingstonians. Good luck.

Ed Smith Outgoing City Councillor, Williamsville District Kingston

Dear Neighbours:

With the municipal election fast approaching, we encourage you to exercise your right to vote.  In Williamsville there are only two candidates – incumbent Ed Smith and challenger Jim Neill.

You should have received their literature or even had an opportunity to speak with them during door to door canvassing. For further information on these candidates please see the following web sites:

www.re-electedsmith.com and www.electjimneill.ca

Ask questions on issues important to you, make sure your neighbours get out to vote, and most important – VOTE.

Advanced poll:

• Poll 1 & 2 Wednesday October 20, 10am-8pm at Kingston Alliance Church 540 Palace Rd.

Election Day, Monday October 25, 10am -8pm:

• Poll 1: Kingston Alliance Church 540 Palace Rd.
• Poll 2: Kingston Memorial Centre 303 York St.

Don’t forget your Voter Notification and ID.

PLEASE VOTE!