Knetsch walks out on meeting as council confirms skate park location

Despite initially declaring a conflict of interest on the matter, councillor Andy Knetsch had his say then walked out of a meeting last week before Mapleton council confirmed its decision to locate a proposed skate park facility at the Kinsmen Park.

After an extensive review process, on April 22 council approved a skate park location in the parking lot off John Street at Kinsmen Park.

However, on May 13 council agreed to review the decision after realizing a skate park on the site, which drew objections from neighbouring residents, would also take up much of the parking lot.

Council and staff have since considered two potential sites around the ball diamond at Kinsmen Park and have also revisited a Riverside Park location.

However, the GRCA has stated it will not permit the facility at Riverside Park due to concerns about flooding and wetland preservation.

In a report to council at the Oct. 14 meeting, public works director Brad McRoberts and CAO Patty Sinnamon recommended council proceed with locating the facility at Kinsmen Park in the area of the east parking lot off John Street, which would allow the municipality and the committee to go ahead with a plan to apply for funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation.

“It is clear that there is both community and council support to proceed with a skateboard park, however, no location has been confirmed and as such no Trillium funding application can be completed and submitted,” the report states.

McRoberts told council the facility could be located somewhere within the roughly 200-by-200 foot parking lot.

However, councillor Neil Driscoll was concerned that wasn’t specific enough.

“For me to make this decision tonight I’d like to know where in the parking lot it will go,” said Driscoll, who asked McRoberts if he would like more time to prepare an actual layout.

“Within the configuration of the parking lot now, it’s not defined per se,” explained McRoberts. “Parking can be picked up in other areas just by picking up a bit of that green space at the edge of the parking lot,” he added.

“I think it’s probably best for council to commit on an actual location,” said McRoberts, who pointed out he could then consult with other park user groups to determine the best location within the parking lot.

“I don’t think the Trillium group cares if it’s going to be 10 feet over here, or 10 feet over that way. I think we need to agree that there really is no other location in terms of the consultation.”

After the presentation of the report by McRoberts, councillor Andy Knetsch, who had declared a conflict of interest on the issue prior to the discussion due to the proximity of his residence to Kinsmen Park, interjected from the gallery that he wished to make a statement.

“I’ve declared a conflict – I would like to make one point. My conflict of interest aside, I feel that … a very important point needs to be raised here…” Knetsch began, before Mayor Bruce Whale advised him he was out of order.

“As a councillor it’s really important for me to talk about an issue that is essential to what we’re talking about here,” said Knetsch.

“Then you have to come back to the table and indicate you do not have a conflict,” said Whale.

“Okay I’ll make that statement. I’m removing my conflict,” said Knetsch.

He continued, “I believe it is paramount that I advocate for 17 people who signed a petition, for whatever reason … but they said basically ‘thank you, but no thank you’ to that location.

“Those people don’t live outside the area – they live close to or nearby this facility and they’re saying ‘no.’  During this whole discussion that I’ve been listening to, that’s not been raised once.”

“That’s all been discussed,” at previous meetings, Whale pointed out.

“Then why is that not important?” asked Knetsch, who questioned if the petitioners had been advised the topic would be raised at the meeting that evening.  

“The agenda’s on the website … if they were here they can’t speak unless they were here as a delegation,” the mayor pointed out.

“We often have opposition to things that are proposed by council … you’re not going to ever satisfy everyone.”

Knetsch responded, “I’m saying for this particular issue I don’t believe it’s fair. I’m speaking because these people need a voice.”

“I’m going to rule you out of order if you don’t come to a point,” said Whale.

“We’ve looked at that (the petitioners’ concerns), we’ve looked at several other locations,” he added.

“For me it’s a matter of principle and I’m going to leave the chamber again,” said Knetsch.

“I think it’s rather an inappropriate reaction and I hope you’ll reconsider your decision,” Whale responded.

Knetsch then left the chamber at around 8pm and did not return for the rest of the meeting, which continued until around 9:15pm.

While conceding that by approving the report council would be committing to the Kinsmen park site, Driscoll asked if it would still be possible to reconsider if Wellington County offered use of the site of its current Drayton public works garage as a location for the skate park.

“That gets it closer to another part of town … but we don’t own that land,” noted councillor Jim Curry.

“Not yet,” replied Driscoll.

“I think it’s pretty difficult at this point for us to hypothesize about that,” stated McRoberts.

A resolution to receive the report, with an amendment stating the director of public works will consult with park user groups about the specific location, was approved by council with councillor Mike Downey and Curry voting in favour and Driscoll opposed.

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