This is a regular CATCH summary of votes at committee and council meetings. This report covers the month of September 2014, and the last meetings before the October 27 municipal elections. The new council begins its meetings in December. 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.
Discounted development and parkland fees
Representatives of GSP Group sought committee’s support for a reduction in parkland dedication fees and development charges for phase 3 of the New Horizon Development Corporation’s proposed development at 81 Robinson Street. Committee voted 6-2 to direct staff to prepare a report on these issues.
At Planning Committee, September 3 Minutes p11 (6-2)
For: Collins, Farr, Ferguson, Partridge, Pasuta, Pearson
Against: Clark, Johnson
Absent: Whitehead
Apartments to condos
Staff recommended approval for conversion of 35 apartment units to condominiums at 155 Charlton Avenue East. Committee voted 6-1 to approve the recommendation.
At Planning Committee, September 3 Minutes p13-14 (6-1)
For: Clark, Collins, Farr, Johnson, Pasuta, Pearson
Against: Whitehead
Absent: Ferguson, Partridge
Land to McMaster
After receiving a staff report and hearing a presentation by McMaster representatives, councillors unanimously approved a motion by Farr to endorse the university’s application for provincial funding to facilitate an expansion in downtown Hamilton. The resolution promised to “transfer a city-owned property(s)” for the use of McMaster.
At General Issues Committee, September 4 Minutes p23-25 (13-0)
For: Bratina, Collins, Farr, Ferguson, Jackson, Johnson, McHattie, Merulla, Partridge, Pasuta, Pearson, Powers, Whitehead
Against: None
Absent: Clark, Duvall, Morrow
Lobbyist registry
A revised lobbyist registry was unanimously approved by councillors at committee, and by a 12-4 vote at city council.
At General Issues Committee, September 4 Minutes p9, 25 (13-0)
For: Bratina, Collins, Farr, Ferguson, Jackson, Johnson, McHattie, Merulla, Partridge, Pasuta, Pearson, Powers, Whitehead
Against: None
Absent: Clark, Duvall, Morrow
At City Council, September 10 Minutes p6 (12-4)
For: Clark, Collins, Duvall, Farr, Ferguson, Jackson, Johnson, McHattie, Merulla, Partridge, Pearson, Powers
Against: Bratina, Morrow, Pasuta, Whitehead
Seniors centre and school location
Staff recommended and general issues committee approved an amended plan using the Scott Park grounds to locate the Bernie Morelli seniors centre at King and Balsam and a new high school at Cannon and Balsam with additional parking at the site of Parkview School. Council endorsed the plan 15-1. It also needs approval of the public school board.
At City Council, September 10 Minutes p5 (15-1)
For: Clark, Collins, Duvall, Farr, Ferguson, Jackson, Johnson, McHattie, Merulla, Morrow, Partridge, Pasuta, Pearson, Powers, Whitehead
Against: Bratina
City grants
Staff recommended approval of guidelines and implementation schedule for the new City Enrichment Fund replacing the Community Partnership granting program. The changes were approved unanimously.
At General Issues Committee, September 17 Minutes p28-29 (13-0)
For: Bratina, Clark, Collins, Farr, Ferguson, Jackson, Johnson, McHattie, Merulla, Pasuta, Pearson, Powers, Whitehead
Against: None
Absent: Duvall, Morrow, Partridge
Learning Annex project
Staff recommended hiring four temporary staff for a “Learning Annex” project funded $153,107 by the provincial government and $111,588 by the city’s Neighourhood Action Strategy fund. Committee approved the recommendation.
At General Issues Committee, September 17 Minutes p30
Recorded opposed: Johnson
Red light camera prosecutors
Staff recommended hiring two additional legal staff at an annual cost of $210,000 to handle the backlog of charges under the city’s red-light camera program. Committee approved the recommendation, as did council.
At General Issues Committee, September 17 Minutes p30
Recorded opposed: Duvall, Ferguson, Johnson, Pasuta
At City Council, September 24 Minutes p8 (9-7)
For: Bratina, Clark, Collins, Farr, Jackson, McHattie, Merulla, Morrow, Powers
Against: Duvall, Ferguson, Johnson, Partridge, Pasuta, Pearson, Whitehead
Good Food Box
Staff recommended ending the Good to Go Food Box pilot program and reallocating remaining fund to purchase of fruit and vegetables by Hamilton Food Share for local food boxes. Committee added an amendment to include the Waterdown and Flamborough food banks and approved the amended recommendation unanimously. Council also approved the recommendation, adding an amendment that staff develop a strategy to assist single Ontario Works recipients to better access the fruit and vegetables.
At Board of Health, September 18 Minutes p10 (9-0)
For: Bratina, Collins, Duvall, Johnson, McHattie, Merulla, Morrow, Partridge, Pearson
Against: None
Absent: Clark, Farr, Ferguson, Jackson, Pasuta, Powers, Whitehead
At City Council, September 24 Minutes p9-10
Medical marijuana zoning
Staff recommended text amendments to zoning bylaws in Ancaster, Flamborough, Glanbrook and Stoney Creek to permit medical marijuana growing and harvesting facilities under defined conditions. Committee approved the changes 7-1.
At Planning Committee, September 19 Minutes p27-28
For: Collins, Farr, Ferguson, Johnson, Partridge, Pasuta, Pearson
Against: Whitehead
Absent: Clark
Condo conversion
Staff recommended approval of an application to convert a 72-unit apartment building at 46 Arkledun Avenue to condominiums. Planning committee supported the staff recommendation. Council subsequently voted 15-1 in favour.
At City Council, September 24 Minutes p7
For: Bratina, Clark, Collins, Duvall, Farr, Ferguson, Jackson, Johnson, McHattie, Merulla, Morrow, Partridge, Pasuta, Pearson, Powers
Against: Whitehead
Anti-racism resource centre
Staff recommended an 18-month pilot project including one staff person and a helpline at a cost of $130,000. This was approved by the audit, finance and administration committee but subsequently referred by council to the general issues committee on a 10-6 vote.
At City Council, September 24 Minutes p14 (10-6)
For: Bratina, Duvall, Ferguson, Jackson, Johnson, Partridge, Pasuta, Pearson, Powers, Whitehead
Against: Clark, Collins, Farr, McHattie, Merulla, Morrow
Snow angels program
Staff recommended continuing the snow angels program with $100,000 to Volunteer Hamilton and to contract with a third party for $120,000 to service residents not matched with a volunteer. The emergency and community services committee approved the recommendation, but city council referred the third party aspect back to staff, directing consultation with organizations providing similar programs in Stoney Creek, Dundas and Flamborough.
At City Council, September 24 Minutes p15 (15-1)
For: Bratina, Clark, Collins, Farr, Ferguson, Jackson, Johnson, McHattie, Merulla, Morrow, Partridge, Pasuta, Pearson, Powers, Whitehead
Against: Duvall