Hello, everyone! Here’s your briefing on this week’s happenings, shenanigans and hijnks at London City Hall, except the ones that haven’t happened yet because this party’s just getting started. Let’s do a catchup on municipal matters - here are the CITY HALL NOTES to pick up some media and more.
You’ll remember my post last week, in which I raised just one eyebrow at the schedule at City Hall and pledged to watch as all four Standing Committees met four days in a row. So here’s your skimmable, munchable and crunchable guide1 to the week so far. We’re three committees down and one to go; I’ll gather what I can here and probably do an addition in the ROUNDUP tomorrow.
And - because that’s not enough, of course - we continue to watch the candidates coming in for the municipal and school board races. Since my last weekly update, there are no fewer than seven new victims voluntarily putting themselves forward as meat for the grinder. So I’ll update on that, too. What larks!
Let’s go.
CAPS - dogs in hot cars
We know that animal welfare always drives stories, and the expected news hits came. Here’s a great piece from Jack Moulton at the London Free Press, who outlines unanimous agreement at Community and Protective Services to impose $300 fines for leaving your dog in a car on a hot day.
Prediction: this news will get around. I bet we get some heated arguments over the summer, and perhaps an incident or two if folks are emboldened by this bylaw. Whatever - just don’t leave your dog in a hot car.
(That Jack M. post will reward you for scrolling with a second story from this committee, about success in fighting renovictions.)
As always, the committee agenda is here but no, no, no2.
Planning - frowns for 10 storeys
Another Planning and Environment Committee meeting, and another lineup of locals with concerns about infill development. This time, as reported by Daryl Newcombe of CTV London (link), councillors said “no” to a 10-storey apartment building on Centre Street, near Wharncliffe and Baseline3. [EDIT: removed an error about the location here.]
(Agenda is here - hissss - nooo.)
Here’s a quote from Councillor Skylar Franke: “In my four years as a councillor, this application has been the one that I received the most communication about.”
Well then. It’s a recommended refusal and it still has to pass through Full Council on Tuesday, which can be a bit of a squeeze. One to watch.
Also in planning news, the perspicacious Andrew Lupton, from CBC Old South, delved into related issues with an interview with planning consultant Jerzy Smolarek, former City Hall staffer whose company was among the presenters at PEC talking about the development on Centre Street on Tuesday.
That story is simply superb local journalism, taking the issue wider and looking at comparable developments, while bringing it all back to how it affects the reader, and what they can do. Top stuff there.
Infrastructure - and a calendars question
Our third of four committees this week was the dry-but-vital Infrastructure and Corporate Services Committee, in which tenders and contracts are agreed. The agenda is here, usual drill, no.
I’m not seeing much reporting from this one, and please send me any I’ve missed. I was unable to attend, and of course all media have to be selective when using their time. And, in future, my plan is to ensure all Standing Committees are covered, supported by paid subscriptions. Again, watch this space.
This committee obviously covers important issues, and one stood out for me: Item 2(7), the calendar of meetings at City Hall. This may seem a bit Inside Baseball but it’s important, as shown this week with our truncated schedule and barely four business days between a committee meeting this afternoon and the Full Council meeting that will turn its decisions into bylaws.
None other than Councillor Susan Stevenson, candidate for mayor, wrote to the committee to suggest changes. Her letter, which was written fully a month ago, ends with this comment.
“Adjusting the schedule to provide two Standing Committee Meetings per week followed by final approval at Council in the third week maintains consistency, shields Council from the perception that items are pushed through too quickly and allows for adequate public consultation and input.”
Opinion alert: I agree - we need a clearer process. People are showing up with something to say, and our public servants should accommodate that well.
Coming up: transit and strategy
This afternoon, we have the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee, which includes all of council and settles major matters before the final council vote, which this time is on Tuesday.
The main issue at this one seems to be transit, and I’ll keep an eye on it.
The pre-reporting of the committee papers has centred on a consultant’s report that talks of a disconnect between the LTC and City Hall. There’s been a lot to this, and I’ll just share one CTV story for background; Daryl, of course.
Candidates catchup
And, despite the fact they have eyes and brains and can watch the process taking place, more and more people want to join in. We have seven new filings at the City Clerk’s special elections office, so of course I have made updates to the MEGAPOST with all the runners.
Some highlights from the last week:
A new mayoral candidate in Bronagh Morgan, who’s terribly nice and a great community leader.
A surprise entry in the TVDSB race: one Lincoln McCardle, former Rogers tv host from the #LdnOnt days before Twitter was poisoned, and community activist in many ways.
Several interesting ward candidates. Lambeth mum Tammy Abi-Khalil, for example, has much to say in Ward 9, down in the southwest of the city.
I owe that article a full line edit soon, and I’ll get to it4.
And we are sated
At least, I hope so. There’s a lot of this material and, as I never hesitate to say, it’s quite dull; the instinct to avoid it is entirely natural. But it’s important and, presented properly, can be consumed by the right kind of audience.
Thanks for stepping up and being that audience. Get ready for more, and better, as soon as I can find the ‘on’ button for the next stage of Substack.
I’ll be back with a local news ROUNDUP tomorrow, including whatever else emerges municipally, if you can bear it. Right now, it’s time to go outside and brave the sunshine. If I crumble to dust, you’ll never hear from me again.
Stay cheery
- Mike
I don’t even know what I’m on about any more.
My apologies for a location error here, and thanks to a reader who alerted me quickly so I could make a change. Still operating on my own, and getting it right as best I can.
Or maybe I’ll get lots of paid subscriptions and hire an actual copy editor.