Kingston City Council Meeting Summary

Kingston City Council deferred proposed amendments to the city's turf grass and naturalized lawns bylaw to allow further consultation with The Thousand Islands Master Gardeners, approved heritage and financial reports, and passed motions directing staff to review dog control rules, study regulation of leghold traps, and develop a local response to U.S.-Canada tariff impacts. Council also directed staff to review parking pressures tied to major sports tournaments at recreation facilities.

Topics Discussed

1. NATURALIZED YARDS BYLAW

Council debated Report #73 on amendments to Kingston's turf grass and naturalized lawns bylaw. Joyce Hostin told council, "This amendment, though, is a step backward. So I'm asking Council to defer so staff can consult with us." Discussion focused on how bylaw enforcement distinguishes neglected properties from intentionally naturalized yards. Councillor Jeff McLaren said council was looking for "some way to address negligent lawns versus intentionality." The item was deferred so staff can consult further with The Thousand Islands Master Gardeners, while the current bylaw remains in effect.

2. DOG CONTROL AND PUBLIC SAFETY REVIEW

Council considered Motion #4 on responsible pet ownership and dog control after hearing concerns about dangerous dogs, off-leash dogs, and enforcement. One speaker said, "A dog attack is not the same as other bylaw matters. It's much more similar to a violent crime than it is to your neighbor having an overgrown lawn, noxious weeds, et cetera." Mayor Bryan Paterson asked staff to examine current enforcement tools, saying the review should cover "what's the current enforcement mechanism or method for by law enforcement right now as it stands." Councillor Wendy Stephen's motion directed staff to review the city's animal control bylaw and related policies on "dogs at large, off-leash dogs, and dangerous dogs" and report back with recommended amendments. Council also approved an amendment adding possible penalties including set fines and a potential ban on future dog ownership.

3. TARIFF RESPONSE AND LOCAL ECONOMY

Mayor Paterson brought forward a motion on the local impact of U.S. tariffs and broader trade tensions. He said, "In the words of our prime minister, we are at war because we were attacked," and argued council should show solidarity while preparing a local response. Paterson said the city should move quickly "so that we can get to work helping to support workers, helping to support businesses, helping to support everyone in our community through the challenging times ahead." Council directed staff to work with local business organizations, promote buying local and Canadian-made products, and establish a tariff working group.

4. PARKING PRESSURES AT RECREATION FACILITIES

Council discussed parking shortages during major tournaments at recreation facilities including the John Machin soccer fields, Woodbine Park, and the Invista Centre. Councillor Ryan Boehme said the issue is tied to sports tourism, with visitors staying all day and filling available spaces. He said, "there's just simply not enough parking to host these events," and that overflow parking ends up in nearby neighbourhoods, with families "being basically essentially pushed off their streets." Council directed staff to review options including reconfiguration, adjacent lands, relocation, or modification of amenities, and report back by Q1 2027.

5. HERITAGE APPLICATION: 53 KING STREET EAST

Council approved a heritage property application for 53 King Street East. Delegate Kevin Smith supported the proposal, saying, "Preserving our historic neighbourhood footprints does not mean freezing our city in time. It means ensuring that solutions are safely required and thoughtful. So they remain assets for our community." Staff recommended approval subject to conditions.

6. LEGHOLD TRAP REGULATION REVIEW

Council also approved a motion directing staff to review the city's authority to regulate leghold traps and report back on options. Councillor Lisa Osanic said the motion was prompted by recent incidents, stating, "this motion's necessary because the wildlife that's been caught in leg hold traps on Cataraqui Street in 2023, and more recently in June, there were several skunks that have been caught in leg hold traps." The report back will examine legislative authority, best practices, and possible bylaw options.

Motions

• Report #73 – Turf Grass and Naturalized Lawns Bylaw Amendment — Deferred to Q4 2026 for further consultation with The Thousand Islands Master Gardeners.
• Report #74 – Audited Financial Statements, year-ended December 31, 2025 — Passed/Adopted.
• Report #75 – Heritage Properties Committee: 53 King Street East — Passed/Adopted.
• Motion #2 – Leghold Trap Regulation Review — Passed; staff to report by end of Q1 2027 on legislative authority, best practices, and bylaw options.
• Motion #3 – Local Economic Support / Tariff Working Group — Passed.
• Motion #4 – Responsible Pet Ownership / Dog Control Policy Review — Passed.
• Amendment to Motion #4 adding possible tools including "set fines, minimum fines, maximum fines, and/or ban of future dog ownership" — Passed, 10-2.

Attendees

Councillors identified in the meeting notes as present:

• Councillor Lisa Osanic
• Councillor Gregory Ridge
• Councillor Don Amos
• Councillor Wendy Stephen
• Councillor Ryan Boehme
• Councillor Jeff McLaren

Mayor identified in the meeting notes:

• Mayor Bryan Paterson