While one of the key requirements for those proposed open-air urinals is that they be open to public view, there seems to be a different set of rules at play in their planning.
The Downtown Nightlife Task Force is to meet this Wednesday morning to discuss what to do about council's recent direction allowing the contentious pissoirs, but only if downtown businesses foot the bill.
But when I called to find out precisely when and where the meeting was being held, I was told it is not open to the public.
Jennifer Mackie, GM of the Downtown Guelph Business Association, said since she came to town last November the meetings have never been open.
Ian Findlay, city council's rep on the task force, said the meetings are closed because "we wanted to have frank and open discussions."
An interesting use of "open."
We'll hopefully have a follow-up on the pissoirs issue later this week.
Question:Surely the Municipal Act applies to such meetings and,if so,does this meet the prerequisites for "in-camera" meetings?!
Posted by: Grunt | July 06, 2009 at 05:31 PM
Likely not because it does not appear to be a committee of council as such but rather a committee in which council is represented.
Posted by: Edward Pickersgill | July 06, 2009 at 08:21 PM
True enough Ed. I should have specified that in the post, but Findlay explained the task force is not a city committee, but rather a committee of the Downtown Board.
Posted by: Scott | July 06, 2009 at 09:12 PM
So,what's the difference,Municipal Act should still,logically,apply to any such ad hoc committee set up by the Downtown Board?Funny how an open facility is being hidden from public view!
Posted by: Grunt | July 07, 2009 at 06:50 AM
Normally, I think meetings affecting the public should be open to the public. But I sense there may be animosity, name-calling and finger pointing at these meetings - most downtown businesses care, others probably don't and they are called on it. We already know this is a rather contentious issue. It does not seem unreasonable to have a closed meeting.
As long as the ducks fall into line, I personally don't care how they got into line. If they don't fall into line, well, we'll hear about that soon enough.
Posted by: D C | July 07, 2009 at 08:46 AM
DC:"...animosity,name-calling and finger pointing..."are not reasons, specified in the Municipal Act,to hold in-camera meetings,just a way of denying the public democratic input.What have "...ducks..." got to do with this matter,it'll be the alcohol drinkers who'll have to "...fall into line...",n'est-ce pas :-)?
Posted by: Grunt | July 07, 2009 at 09:27 AM
These open air urinals are not a big deal. Google them and you'll find they have a high degree of privacy.
Posted by: T. Finlay | July 07, 2009 at 09:57 AM
Ultimately the smell test is does the Taskforce directly affect public policy or spend tax payers money?
If not, then they can meet where and whenever they want.
Posted by: GOWM | July 07, 2009 at 10:09 AM
T,
Actually, the design of urinals proposed for Guelph do not offer much privacy at all. I have seen the designs I suspect you are referring to, in which the user is in a mostly enclosed area, with his back to the street and screening around most of his body.
The ones proposed locally look more like garden sheds with the two ends cut out and troughs along each side, so users' profiles would be fully exposed to anyone going by.
If you go back about a dozen posts on this blog you'll find a photo of this style.
Posted by: Scott | July 07, 2009 at 10:49 AM
GOWM,
My understanding is the task force operates without any city funding. If this changes or is found not to be the case, be sure we will be raising the closed-door issue again.
Posted by: Scott | July 07, 2009 at 10:50 AM
Scott,
Is the Downtown Nightlife Task Force part of the Downtown Business Association? Does the DBA receive money from the city? I think they do. Something to look into?
Posted by: CB | July 08, 2009 at 10:39 AM