This is a regular CATCH summary of votes at committee and council meetings. This report covers the month of March 2014. The first line of each entry identifies the issue, followed by a brief description. This is followed by the location of the vote in the third line. Multiple votes on the same issue are reported together. Absentees are only listed where reported in the minutes and where the missing councillors are members of that committee or decision-making body. Links are provided to source documents. Note that the vast majority of council decisions are unanimous and the votes are not officially recorded.
Closed session
On a motion by Jackson, the general issues committee moved into closed session to discuss appeals and assessment appeals under review. The motion was approved 11-2 but after seven minutes the committee subsequently came back into open session “as there were concerns respecting the legitimacy around moving into closed session”.
At General Issues Committee, March 4 Minutes p4-5 (11-2)
For: Collins, Farr, Ferguson, Jackson, Merulla, Morrow, Partridge, Pasuta, Pearson, Powers, Whitehead
Against: Clark, Johnson
Absent: Bratina, Duvall, McHattie
Bus advertising contract
Staff recommended a 21-month extension of the bus advertising license agreement with Street Seen Media. Committee voted 5-1 to approve the extension.
At Public Works Committee, March 17 Minutes p6, 11 (5-1)
For: Collins, Duvall, Jackson, McHattie, Pasuta
Against: Whitehead
Absent: Ferguson, Powers
Sidewalk snow clearing
A motion by McHattie was approved 5-1 asking staff to provide options and alternatives to current sidewalk snow clearing policy including “an update on slip and fall claims made to the city as a result of snow and ice-packed sidewalks.”
At Public Works Committee, March 17 Minutes p12 (5-1)
For: Duvall, Jackson, McHattie, Pasuta, Whitehead
Against: Collins
Absent: Ferguson, Powers
Stoney Creek apartment building
Staff recommended amending the official plan to permit 1333664 Ontario Inc to construct a three-storey 40-unit apartment on Millen Road. Committee heard from two opposing citizen delegations and subsequently turned down the proposal. The committee minutes show Pearson as absent, but were corrected at the March 26 council meeting to show her as abstaining because of a declared conflict of interest. Subsequently, council overruled planning committee and endorsed the amended staff recommendation to approve the official plan amendment.
At Planning Committee, March 18 Minutes p3, 20-22 (1-5)
For approval: Farr
Against: Clark, Collins, Johnson, Partridge, Whitehead
Absent: Ferguson, Pasuta
Abstain: Pearson
At City Council, March 26 Minutes p7 (9-5)
For: Bratina, Farr, Ferguson, Jackson, McHattie, Merulla, Morrow, Pasuta, Whitehead
Against: Clark, Collins, Duvall, Johnson, Partridge
Absent: Powers
Abstain: Pearson
Cannon Street bike lanes
Staff recommended a three-year pilot implementation of a two-way bike path on Cannon Street between Sherman and Hess. Committee received written submissions and heard from delegations. Committee agreed to a McHattie amendment to establish bike lanes from Hess to Dundurn on York Boulevard with ward one funds, and also approved a requirement for updates on costs and benefits during the implementation. A motion by Clark to require a 30-day public comment period prior to implementation was defeated before approving the amended project.
At General Issues Committee, March 19 Minutes p5-6, 14-17 (3-10) (13-0)
For comment period: Clark, Pearson, Johnson
Against: Collins, Duvall, Farr, Jackson, McHattie, Merulla, Morrow, Partridge, Pasuta, Whitehead
Absent: Bratina, Ferguson, Powers
For approval: Clark, Collins, Duvall, Farr, Jackson, Johnson, McHattie, Merulla, Morrow, Partridge, Pasuta, Pearson, Whitehead
Against: None
Absent: Bratina, Ferguson, Powers
Sewage pumping station contract
Staff recommended hiring the Waterfront Trust as a project manager for a $2.7 million pier 5-8 sanitary pumping station. This was approved by the general issues committee on March 19 and then amended at city council to authorize staff to “negotiate all necessary agreements”. The amendment was approved 14-0.
At City Council, March 26 Minutes p14 (14-0)
For: Clark, Collins, Duvall, Farr, Ferguson, Jackson, Johnson, McHattie, Merulla, Morrow, Partridge, Pasuta, Pearson, Whitehead
Against: None
Absent: Bratina, Powers